You may not think much about what your clothes are made of beyond comfort and style. But what if the fabrics you’re wearing could contribute to hormone disruption, inflammation, and even long-term health risks? The truth is that many everyday clothes are made from materials that contain harmful toxins like microplastics, phthalates, and even lead. These toxins are absorbed by your body and can lead to cellular inflammation, hormone imbalances, and other health issues over time.

Let’s take a closer look at how microplastics in your clothes may be affecting your health, and what you can do to reduce your exposure to these harmful substances.

The Microplastics Problem: Your Clothes as a Source of Toxic Exposure

Most people think of microplastics as something found in the ocean or in packaging materials. But what many don’t realize is that microplastics are also hiding in the clothes we wear every day. In fact, if you’re wearing clothes made from synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, or spandex, you’re wearing plastic.

Clothing made from blended fabrics, such as cotton-polyester mixes, can contain up to 50% plastic.^[1] These synthetic fibers shed tiny plastic particles every time you wear, wash, or dry them. Over time, your skin can absorb these microplastics, or you can inhale them, allowing them to enter and accumulate in your body.

Once inside the body, microplastics can:

• Disrupt hormone function: Many synthetic materials contain chemicals that mimic hormones in the body, interfering with your endocrine system and causing imbalances.^[2]
• Increase inflammation: Exposure to microplastics at the cellular level can trigger inflammatory responses, which are linked to a variety of chronic conditions such as autoimmune diseases, metabolic dysfunction, and cardiovascular problems.^[3]
• Impair cellular detoxification: Microplastics can place additional stress on your cells, making it harder for them to detoxify and repair damage, leading to long-term health issues.

Phthalates and Lead: The Hidden Dangers in Your Clothes

Unfortunately, microplastics aren’t the only concern when it comes to clothing. Many synthetic fabrics are also treated with harmful chemicals like phthalates and lead. These chemicals are often added to make fabrics more durable, stain-resistant, or wrinkle-free, but they come with serious health risks.^[4]

• Phthalates: These chemicals are used in many types of clothing to make fabrics more flexible and durable. However, they are known endocrine disruptors, which interferes with your body’s natural hormone systems. Phthalates have been linked to reproductive issues, developmental problems, and even cancer.
• Lead: Some clothing, especially those treated for stain or flame resistance, can contain lead. Exposure to lead is particularly harmful to your brain and nervous system and can cause cognitive issues, memory problems, and behavioral changes.

Even small, continuous exposure to these chemicals can lead to an accumulation of toxins in the body, affecting cellular health and increasing the risk of chronic conditions over time.

How Synthetic Clothes Impact Your Cellular Health

Your clothes directly touch your skin, constantly exposing it to the environment.When you wear synthetic or chemically treated fabrics, your skin absorbs those toxins, especially in the presence of heat or moisture, like during exercise. This ongoing exposure can have a significant impact on your cellular health, including:

• Disrupting detox pathways: Your cells are equipped with natural detoxification pathways that help remove harmful substances. But when constantly exposed to toxins from synthetic materials, these pathways can become overwhelmed, leading to toxic buildup in the body.
• Triggering chronic inflammation: Over time, exposure to microplastics, phthalates, and lead can create chronic, low-grade inflammation at the cellular level. This can impair your cells’ ability to function properly, leading to various health issues, from fatigue to immune system dysfunction.
• Weakening the immune system: Your immune system is closely tied to cellular health. When your cells are inflamed or overwhelmed by toxins, your immune response becomes weaker, making it harder for your body to fight infections and illnesses.

Making Healthier Choices: The Case for Natural Fabrics

The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to reduce your exposure to harmful substances in your clothing. One of the most effective ways is to choose natural, non-toxic fabrics. Switching to healthier fabrics protects your body from constant exposure to microplastics, phthalates, and other chemicals.

Here are some fabric options to consider:

• 100% Organic Cotton: Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, making it a much safer choice for your health. Unlike conventional cotton, it is also free from chemical treatments that can leave harmful residues on the fabric.
• Organic Bamboo: Bamboo fabric is soft, breathable, and naturally antibacterial. It is an excellent alternative to synthetic fibers when produced in a non-toxic, eco-friendly manner.
• Linen: Made from flax plants, linen is a durable, breathable, and naturally non-toxic fabric. It’s a great option for warm weather and doesn’t require the chemical treatments that synthetic fabrics often do.

By choosing natural fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, or linen, you can significantly reduce your exposure to harmful toxins and support your cellular health in the long term.

Tips to Reduce Toxin Exposure from Microplastics in Your Clothes

If you’re ready to make the switch to healthier clothing options, here are a few practical tips to get started:

1. Check labels: Always check the fabric composition of your clothes. Look for 100% natural fibers like cotton, bamboo, and linen, and avoid polyester, nylon, or spandex blends.
2. Avoid chemically treated fabrics: Avoid clothing labeled as “wrinkle-free,” “stain-resistant,” or “flame-resistant,” as these treatments often involve harmful chemicals like phthalates and lead.
3. Wash new clothes before wearing: New clothes, even natural fabrics, can sometimes have chemical residues from manufacturing. Washing them before wearing them can help remove some of these toxins.
4. Opt for breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics: When exercising or in hot environments, it’s important to wear fabrics that allow your skin to breathe. Natural fibers like organic cotton or bamboo are excellent for this purpose and won’t trap heat and moisture against your skin like synthetic materials.

Conclusion: What You Wear Matters for Your Health

Your clothes are more than just a fashion statement—they’re important to your overall health. By making simple changes to the fabrics you choose, you can protect yourself from harmful toxins like microplastics, phthalates, and lead that can disrupt your hormones and lead to inflammation.

Switching to natural, non-toxic fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, or linen is a powerful step toward protecting cellular health and promoting long-term wellness. In a world full of hidden toxins, what you put in your body matters just as much as what you put into it. By rethinking what you wear, you can take an easy and impactful step toward living a healthier life.

References:

1. Pušić, Tanja, et al. “Particle Shedding from Cotton and Cotton-Polyester Fabrics in the Dry State and in Washes.” Polymers, vol. 15, no. 15, July 2023, p. 3201. PubMed Central.
2. Diamanti-Kandarakis, Evanthia, et al. “Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement.” Endocrine Reviews, vol. 30, no. 4, June 2009, pp. 293–342. PubMed Central.
3. Lee, Yongjin, et al. “Health Effects of Microplastic Exposures: Current Issues and Perspectives in South Korea.” Yonsei Medical Journal, vol. 64, no. 5, May 2023, pp. 301–08. PubMed Central.
4. Periyasamy, Aravin Prince. “Microfiber Emissions from Functionalized Textiles: Potential Threat for Human Health and Environmental Risks.” Toxics, vol. 11, no. 5, Apr. 2023, p. 406. PubMed Central.