Ingredient
Polyester (85%)
What is Polyester (85%)?
Polyester is a synthetic polymer made from a chemical reaction involving petroleum, air, and water. It is often used in textiles and fabrics due to its durability and resistance to wrinkles and shrinking.
In the context of clothing, polyester helps provide stretch and maintain the shape of garments like workout shorts and leggings. As a plastic-based material, it does not pose the same immediate health concerns as food additives but raises questions in sustainability and microplastic pollution.
When you see polyester in the label of clothing items, it indicates the material composition rather than an ingredient with direct impact on health.
Commonly found in: Workout Shorts, Leggings, Athletic Apparel, Outerwear, Home Textiles
What to watch
- Concerns about microplastic pollution related to polyester exist, impacting the environment.
Benefits
- Durable and resistant to wear, making garments longer-lasting.
Polyester is primarily considered a material for textiles and is not regulated like food additives.
Research highlights environmental impacts of polyester microfibers, though less about direct health effects.
Polyester is not derived from animals, aligning well with vegan principles.
Scout's take
Petroleum-derived synthetic plastic fiber forming the main fabric (recycled polyester). Polyester+spandex is the exact fabric class CEH found BPA in across multiple major activewear brands (Oct 2022 / May 2023 testing). Sheds microplastic fibers with every wash. Worn in maximum skin-to-fabric contact during sweaty exercise, which amplifies absorption of any residual chemical finishes.
More from Scout's analyses
Petroleum-derived plastic fiber making up the bulk of this garment. Sheds microplastics with every wash and confirmed plastic leaching on skin.
from the analysis of Hanes Women's French Terry Bermuda Shorts, 11"Found in 2 products
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