As we have written before in our Blog Post, high levels of a hormone-disrupting chemical called BPA have been found in activewear such as sports bras, leggings, and athletic shirts, among others. A CNN article from 2023 helped to shed light on the fact that many popular brands all sold activewear products which contained high levels of BPA.1
Along with BPA, another unsettling phenomena is that Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - known as “forever chemicals” - have been found in certain workout clothing, including some leggings, particularly where water- or stain-resistant treatments are used, also sold by several well-known brands.2
While these chemicals can be ingested from certain foods, packaging or even water, they can also be absorbed through the skin's contact with clothing, especially when an individual sweats as it acts as a solvent.
These chemicals are no joke. BPA acts like the hormone estrogen and can disrupt an individual’s metabolism and reproductive processes. It has even been linked to behavioral issues and some studies have suggested a potential link to increased cancer risk.3 PFAS are equally as harmful given that they don’t break down and have also been associated with hormonal disruption, cancer risk, reproductive complications and a weakened immune system.4
In fact, several U.S. states have already moved to ban the use of PFAS in many consumer products and packaging, and the European Union also may enact a sweeping class-based PFAS ban, following legislation by member states such as France to restrict the use of PFAS in certain consumer goods.5 In 2022, the non-profit Center for Environmental Health’s lawsuit also called attention to the use of BPA in athletic clothing.6 The lawsuit was filed against several major brands of sports bras and athletic shirts after finding that their clothing could expose individuals to up to 22 times the safe limit of BPA under California law.
As more research continues to help us better understand the links between these chemicals and our health, there are easy steps you can take to protect yourself against the risks. One of them is to buy products that are free of harmful BPA and PFAS chemicals such as Paradis Sport’s underwear!
Our seamless products are made from 94% nylon and 6% spandex and our natural fiber products are made from micro-modal, a fabric that is derived from sustainably-harvested beech trees. Micro-modal fabrics are sourced from a natural fiber (wood).
We are also proud that the fabrics we use and manufacturers who make our products are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and bluesign® certified, which means that every component—from the threads to the final fabric—meets stringent testing criteria.7 This guarantees our products are chemical-free, responsibly crafted, and safe for your everyday wear.
Our recently created “Strong by Nature,” underwear line is the latest in our sustainably made products. It is crafted in our signature ModiQ™ modal fabric – new to the U.S. market – and mineral-dyed in four new earth-inspired tones. ModiQ™ offers a solution for women who want to move away from microplastics and are looking for seamless products.
We are committed to your complete satisfaction with our products, but also to protect women’s health.
1. CNN, “Opinion: Hitting the gym or going to yoga? Your workout clothes could be doing more harm than you realize”, August 2023.
2. Findings vary by product and brand. Environmental Health News, “Investigation finds evidence of PFAS in workout and yoga pants”, January 2022; AP, “Texas attorney general launches probe into Lululemon’s potential use of certain chemicals”, April 2026.
3. Reprise, “BPA and in Activewear and Its Link to Breast Cancer”, October 2024.
4. United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS”, accessed in April 2026.
5. National Conference of State Legislatures, “Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) | State Legislation and Federal Action”, accessed in April 2026; Reuters, “EU chemicals agency backs ban on PFAS 'forever chemicals'”, March 2026; Euronews, “France’s ban on ‘forever chemicals’ comes into force today. Here’s what will change”, January 2026.
6. Center for Environmental Health, “The Fight Continues: BPA in Activewear”, February 2023.
7. For more information, please see the respective websites for OEKO-TEX, and bluesign.
