Can sweat increase chemical transfer from children's textiles?
Yes. A 2025 study found simulated sweat greatly increased PFAS and organophosphate ester transfer from treated textiles.
What is actually in it
Some children's textiles can contain PFAS finishes or organophosphate esters. These chemicals are used for water resistance, flame retardancy, or other fabric performance features.
Sweat matters because it can pull chemicals out of fabric better than dry skin contact.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Sci Total Environ tested household textiles and children's garments. PFAS were found in 87.9% of samples, and organophosphate esters were common. Durable-water-repellent garments had about 3x higher PFAS and OPE levels than conventional functional items.
In dermal exposure modeling, simulated sweat increased chemical absorption by up to 3252-fold for PFAS and 835-fold for OPEs compared with dry contact. The study also found reduced skin-cell viability in lab tests using textile extracts.
This does not mean every shirt is a problem. It does support choosing simple cotton baby textiles when you can, especially for sleepwear and clothing worn close to skin.