It is important to be aware of the materials and chemicals used in fashion products, as some fast-fashion retailers have been found to use potentially toxic chemicals in their clothing. While the fashion industry uses about 8000 synthetic chemicals in the manufacturing process, including flame retardants, Polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), lead, chromium, phthalates, chlorine bleach, AZO dyes, and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, there are materials that leave a lighter footprint, such as cotton, wool, silk, and leather.
It is difficult for consumers to know which chemicals are used in their clothing, as fashion does not come with an ingredient list. However, there are apps such as the Environmental Working Group and Think Dirty that allow consumers to search for a product by name or barcode to find ingredients of concern and provide a score based on the number of hazards linked to various chemicals.
In summary, it is important to be aware of the materials and chemicals used in fashion products, and to seek out natural materials and third-party certification standards when possible. Consumers can also use apps to learn more about the ingredients in their clothing.
