November 2024, Arnika and consumer associations from Hungary, the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia released the results of bisphenols testing on undergarments. The tests found that one in three underwear products contains bisphenols, and one in ten contains dangerous levels of these substances.

Harmful Endocrine Disruptors in Everyday Products

Bisphenols are commonly found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, but they are also used as additives, such as color stabilizers in textiles. Even at very low levels, bisphenols act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the normal functioning of the hormone system. We are exposed to bisphenols daily through a variety of products we use, as well as through the contamination of food and water. Bisphenols can negatively affect fetal and child development and are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, reproductive abnormalities, obesity, and diabetes. Prenatal exposure to bisphenols can result in developmental disorders, and bisphenol exposure is associated with an increased risk of hormone-related cancers.

Bisphenols in Textiles and Products

Human biomonitoring studies have shown widespread exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), the most extensively studied chemical in the bisphenol group, with data indicating that 92 % of adults from 11 European countries had BPA in their urine.

Worldwide, 80 % of synthetic fibers undergo some form of color-fastening treatment. In materials like spandex and elastane, certain chemical auxiliaries are used as color fasteners. These substances contain bisphenol-S and bisphenol-F, and residues of these chemicals are inevitably present in the final product.

Unfortunately, manufacturers are replacing BPA with other types of bisphenols, which can pose similar health risks. These include bisphenol-S and bisphenol-F, which are still legal. A total of 166 different types of undergarments were tested as part of a unique international collaboration between consumer associations from Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and Slovenia.

The test revealed alarming levels of toxic contamination:

• One-third (30 %) of the tested underwear contained some form of bisphenol (BPA, BPS, or BPF).

• Additionally, 10 % of all samples showed bisphenol levels well above the amount considered safe, with an average of 11 mg/kg of bisphenols.

• The highest concentration found in a single sample was 301 mg/kg, which accounts for 0.03 % of the product’s weight!

Women are at higher risk

17 % of products for women contained high levels of bisphenols, because women´s undergarmets are predominantly made of synthetic materials.

Although cotton products are available for women, the majority of women’s undergarments are made from synthetic materials. Test results show that underwear made from synthetic fibers have increased risk of exposure to bisphenols. Surprisingly, the test found bisphenols in products from well-known brands, while underwear purchased from cheaper stores was generally bisphenol-free.

Overall, the results suggest that underwear with a high cotton content is unlikely to contain bisphenols, regardless of the brand name or place of production.

Washing underwear is not a solution!

The study also examined whether bisphenols could be washed out of underwear. 16 samples with high bisphenol concentrations, most of which were women’s products, were tested to observe if the chemicals would fade. When analyzing the average total bisphenol content, the results showed an overall reduction of bisphenols by 74 %. The data indicates that washing the garments reduces the risk of bisphenol exposure for the wearer. However, this also suggests that bisphenols are polluting the environment if not fully removed by means of wastewater treatment.

Positive Steps: European Ban on Bisphenol A and the Need for Broader Action

Fortunately, the legislation is moving in the right direction, although slower than consumers would like. Last year in December the European Commission, introduced a ban on the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials, such as can packaging, reusable plastic bottles, and kitchenware. The ban covers BPA and applies to additional hazardous bisphenols and derivatives, that are classified as mutagenic, carcinogenic, toxic to reproduction, or endocrine disrupting. Although this is good news, bisphenols are found in a wide variety of products aside from food packaging. A comprehensive ban on bisphenols classified as hazardous for our health is therefore needed packaging, reusable plastic bottles, and kitchenware. The ban covers BPA and applies to additional hazardous bisphenols and derivatives, that are classified as mutagenic, carcinogenic, toxic to reproduction, or endocrine disrupting. Although this is good news, bisphenols are found in a wide variety of products aside from food packaging. A comprehensive ban on bisphenols classified as hazardous for our health is therefore needed. TBBPA often enters products unintentionally, as a contaminant from recycled e-waste plastic used in cheap toys and other consumer goods from unknown brands.

Sign the petition supporting the ban of toxic chemicals in consumer products: www.toxfreeproductsnow.eu