Is Your Rain Gear Leaching PFAS Into Your Blood?

The Price of Staying Dry

Every time you pull on that waterproof jacket, you might be exposing yourself to PFAS. A 2026 study published in the Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found a direct link between the frequency of wearing outdoor clothing and elevated serum PFAS levels in the human body. The study analyzed 2,993 adults and confirmed that the more often you wear this gear, the higher your risk.

The Data Doesn't Lie

Researchers looked at common chemicals like PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA. For women who wore outdoor clothing at least 4 times a week, the odds of having high serum levels of PFHxS were 2.63 times higher than for non-users. Men weren't spared either, with odds for these chemicals jumping significantly based on usage frequency. These substances are designed to repel water and oil, but they don't stay on the fabric. They shed, they off-gas, and they end up in your bloodstream.

What You Can Do

You don't have to choose between staying dry and staying healthy. The outdoor industry has relied on these "forever chemicals" for too long because they are cheap and effective, not because they are safe. It is time to audit your closet and demand better standards. When it is time to replace your gear, look for brands that explicitly guarantee PFAS-free manufacturing processes. We have curated a selection of non-toxic home alternatives and gear that keep you protected without the toxic trade-off.

Source: Kim KW, Kang J, Cho SY, Yoon S, Kim D (2026). Ann Occup Environ Med.