5 TOXIC FABRICS THAT CAN BE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH

We came across an article on Bright Side that dug deeper into this topic and found out what wearing fabrics like polyester, rayon, or spandex can do to our health. Here’s the list!

1. Polyester

Polyester is one of the most popular and most used synthetic fabrics. Even though it can be produced with a blend of natural components, like cotton, to prevent wrinkles and tears, its effect on our health can still be harmful. While wearing polyester, it becomes hard for your skin to breathe. Moreover, rising body temperatures help to release chemicals from this fabric that are later absorbed by your skin. This can cause a variety of problems and irritations like rashes, itching, redness, eczema, and dermatitis. So, it’s better to avoid polyester in your clothes and also in your linens.

2. Rayon (Viscose)

Rayon is a fiber that is made from cellulose that is chemically converted from wood pulp. Not only is the production of this material dangerous, but wearing it can also be unhealthy. Rayon fabric can emit toxic substances that can cause nausea, headaches, vomiting, chest and muscle pain, and insomnia. In addition to all that, its production is heavily polluting the environment.

3. Nylon

Socks, lingerie, underwear, pantyhose, and so many different everyday clothes are made from nylon. It is durable and not very expensive to produce, which is why it’s popular. At the same time, nylon is not the best choice to wear on your bare skin. Clothes made from nylon do not absorb sweat from the skin, which can cause bad odors and skin infections. While in its production, the fabric gets bleached or dyed with different chemicals. Wearing it on your skin can cause a variety of irritations as well.

4. Acrylic

Acrylic fabrics are made of acrylonitrile, which is a carcinogen and a mutagen. Exposure to this substance can cause different problems with your health. Among them are headache, nausea, dizziness, difficulty breathing, limb weakness, and many more. By wearing acrylic fabrics, you run the risk of absorbing some of the acrylonitrile into your skin.

Also, the manufacturing of acrylic is a huge cause of environment pollution.

5. Spandex/Lycra/Elastane

These types of fabrics are extremely stretchy and a lot of tight clothes are made with them like sports bras, leggings, T-shirts, shaping underwear, tights, bikinis, etc. Like other synthetic fabrics, these are made from harmful chemical substances like polyurethane, that is also considered to be a carcinogen. Prolonged contact with these fabrics can cause skin irritations like dermatitis.

Article credit: https://brightside.me/inspiration-health/5-toxic-fabrics-that-can-be-harmful-to-your-health-and-what-you-can-wear-instead-794780/