Are your leggings making you fat and sick?

Sounds like a stretch right? (pun intended). Well it might not be. If you’re like me, you live in your leggings. Many women work out, go to work, and go out at night in leggings. They are simply the most comfortable way to dress. But what if I told you that your leggings are linked to multiple chemical compounds that affect your metabolism, reproductive system, and your endocrine system? You are likely coming across these chemicals over a hundred times a day when you are exercising, showering, getting ready for the day, going to work, eating lunch out, resting on your couch, and sleeping in your soft bed. I’m talking about phthalates (and PFA’s but we will save that for another day).

What are phthalates (THAL-ates)?

Phthalates are chemical compounds – salts and esters of phthalic acid, used in producing plastics like PVC, PET, and PVA, as well as varnishes and laminates. Phthalates are common in personal care products such as shampoos and lotions, and are used as fragrances and plasticizers in items like shower curtains, floors, packaging, and medical devices.

Phthalates can enter the body via skin contact (from fabrics, beauty products), inhalation (from fragrances or off gasses of building materials), ingestion (from food prep/packaging), and even intravenously (IV tubing).

Are phthalates a health risk?

Exposures to high concentrations of phthalates were shown to induce fetal death, cancer, malformations, liver and kidney injury and reproductive toxicity in animals. Certain phthalates, including BBP, DBP, DIBP, and DEHP, are classified as toxic for reproduction under EU regulation. DEHP, in particular, poses risks to fertility, testes, and kidney health. About 50% of DEHP is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, and exposure can also occur via inhalation or skin contact, particularly in workers producing PVC products. Phthalate metabolites are often detected in breast milk!

Phenols, phthalates, flame retardants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers are widespread environmental pollutants. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals can affect thyroid function by altering the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, gene expression, and competing with thyroid hormone transporters. They are also linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome, which can influence hormone levels and contribute to subclinical hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disease. Studies show these substances can reduce thyroid hormones and lead to thyroid nodules, especially in women.

Studies have shown that even at low concentrations, phthalates can have teratogenic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects. High levels of DEHP metabolites are linked to a higher risk of thyroid cancer and benign thyroid nodules. Phthalates, particularly DBP and DEHP, are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, with mutations in genes related to hormone biosynthesis, inflammation, and chemical metabolism.

A recent study by Trasende et al. (2022) found that high-molecular-weight PAEs (especially DEHP) are linked to increased cardiovascular mortality. Given the potential effects of newer PAEs like DINP and DIDP, further research is needed to assess their impact, particularly on cardiovascular disease. Researchers stress the need for stricter regulation of phthalates in the environment and consumer products.

Most Common Products with Phthalates

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Beauty Products

Nail polish
Perfume
Shampoo/Conditioner
Body Lotion
Body Wash
Skin Products
Detergents
Anything with “fragrance”
Adhesives for fake eyelashes, press on nails

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Building Materials

Adhesives & epoxy resins
Paint, waxes, inks, varnishes, coatings
PVC, PET, rubber, styrene

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Textiles

Recycled fabrics (polyester, nylon, plastic water bottles)
Synthetic fibers
Screen printings, dyes, textile inks
Waterproof materials
Synthetic leather

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Exercise Equipment

Yoga mats
Weights
Gym flooring
Disinfectants

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In the Kitchen

Take out packaging
Tupperware
Utensils
Cutting board
Bowls/Plates/Silverware

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Vinyl

Toys
Pool floaties
Lawn furniture
Garden hoses
Building materials
Raincoats
Shower curtains

How to Avoid Phthalates

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Simple Tips

Stick to organic, natural fibers such as wool, hemp, linen, and cotton for clothing, bedding, furniture, home decor, and kids toys
Only use glass, wood, stainless steel, or ceramic in the kitchen
Avoid anything that says “fragrance” or “parfum” – even if it’s organic
Eat fresh, unprocessed food and avoid takeout all together
Avoid luxury vinyl and other PVC flooring, wall coverings, and siding

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Environmental Working Group (EWG) Recommendations

Steer clear of products that list phthalates or fragrance in their ingredients.
Use EWG’s Skin Deep® cosmetics database and Guide to Healthy Cleaning to find personal care and cleaning products that are free from phthalates and undisclosed fragrances, as well as other harmful chemicals.
Look for the EWG VERIFIED® mark when shopping for personal care products, household cleaners and diapers. Products that carry the mark meet our strict standards for health and transparency, so they don’t contain phthalates. Choosing EWG VERIFIED also sends a signal to manufacturers that you will not buy products containing hazardous ingredients.
Stay away from plastic wrap and plastic food containers made from PVC, which carries the recycling label #3. Choose glass or stainless-steel food containers instead.
Avoid reheating food or beverages in plastic containers. If a plastic container contains phthalates, heating increases their release into the food.
Skip fast food. People who ate more fast food had higher phthalate exposures, according to a 2016 study possibly because of the extensive use of plastics to produce and serve these foods.

Don’t Ditch Your Leggings Just Yet!

Here are some non-toxic leggings to get your stretch on!

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Organic cotton

Pact: The best thing about Pact is that EVERYTHING on their site is organic cotton. Their leggings are great for hiking, traveling, and lounging. They are warm and some even feature pockets!
MATE the Label: I absolutely love this company’s style, but you do have to pay attention to some of their items as some are created with “tencel”. Tencel is typically from sustainably harvested wood pulp but it is not technically non-toxic, as they use several chemicals to break down the wood into a soft, workable fabric.
Fair Indigo: This company boasts about their organic Pima cotton – mostly known for its unusual softness, silkier fibers, and smooth fabric compared with regular cotton. I like their leggings for days when I don’t want a super tight fit. They’re perfect for lounging!

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Hemp

Asatre: This company makes great hemp products, especially for athletic wear, that wont break the budget. Even my husband loves this brand.
Rawganique: Rawganique has an amazing line of clothing that is non-toxic and organically grown and made in USA, Canada & Europe. You can trust anything on their site!
Namarie: The leggings from namarie are perfect for active wear and super soft. I am cautious about their mix with bio-based corn elastane so I am just hoping they are a trust worthy company, because their leggings are amazing!

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Wool

Woolx: I basically live in these leggings all winter long. They have a high price point but they are ethically harvested and built to last! And they aren’t itchy!
Menique: These 100% merino wool leggings are something I can’t wait to get my hands on. They are well priced and look great for wearing under ski gear or other pants for extra warmth. This company aims to be zero waste!
Woolly: This company is doing amazing things for the environment and the community. Their leggings are around 90%-95% wool with a little bit of elastane, making them a little stretchy.