Athleta disputes watchdog’s warning of BPA levels in athleticwear
May 18, 2023
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH), a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, said it had sent legal notices to Adidas, Athleta, Champion, Fabletics, Kohl’s, Nike, Patagonia and Sweaty Betty about specific pieces of clothing that its tests showed containing high levels of BPA, a chemical with harmful health effects for humans. “We believe the CEH claims have no merit and stand by our products and practices,” said an Athleta spokesperson.
The testing by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) revealed that the leggings, shorts, sports bras, and athletic shirts could expose wearers to up to 40 times the safe limit of BPA set by California’s strict health laws.
Although most BPA exposure has been studied in the context of ingestion, skin absorption is a concern as well. Researchers have found that BPA can be absorbed through the skin and can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, behavioral issues, and cancer. The American Chemistry Council maintains that BPA is safe at the low levels to which consumers are exposed.
The CEH had previously warned consumers about BPA in sports bras and athletic shirts from several brands, including Athleta, PINK, Asics, The North Face, Brooks, All in Motion, Nike, and FILA. The CEH initiated lawsuits against these companies after sending them legal notices to remedy the violations.
The watchdog group advises brands to reformulate their products to remove all bisphenols, including BPA. In the meantime, they recommend limiting the time spent in activewear by changing after workouts.
The CEH has been urging more than 90 companies, including Walgreens and Hypnotic Hats, to remove bisphenols, including BPA, from their products. Some companies have already agreed to do so. While the CEH litigates under California’s regulations, they state that their settlements have broader implications for consumers nationwide.
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