Why Organic?
Atif Acikgoz
Founder CEO
October, 2025
Fibers can contain a wide range of hazardous substances, including dyes, plasticizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and metals [1]. Microfibers also act as important vectors of chemical exposure through inhalation and dermal contact, underscoring the need for updated risk assessments [1].
Disperse dyes, widely used in synthetic fibers, are the primary cause of fiber-related allergies and are medically significant [2–4]. Azo dyes, for instance, are synthesized using aromatic amines (AAs), some of which are carcinogenic, genotoxic, or allergenic [5–7]. Certain azo dyes can also release AAs within the body [8]. AAs were detected in 17% of 153 clothing samples in Switzerland, with concentrations reaching 622 mg/kg [8]. In addition, dozens of non-regulated AAs with mutagenic potential have been identified in azo dyes [5]. Nguyen and Saleh [9] examined 120 women's underwear samples and found that 18 exceeded EU and Chinese health standard limits. As a result, the EU bans dyes that release 22 known carcinogenic AAs [10].
Beyond dyes, fibers may contain quinoline, bisphenols (BPAs), benzothiazoles (BTHs), and benzotriazoles (BTRs) [10]. Quinoline, used in dye production, is a possible carcinogen and skin irritant and was detected in 29 of 31 clothing samples, accounting for about half of all measured chemicals [11,12]. Bisphenols are known endocrine disruptors; Xue et al. [13] detected BPA in 82%, BPS in 53%, and benzophenone-3 in 70% of 79 textile samples, with infant socks showing the highest exposure levels. Benzothiazoles may cause irritation, allergies, or cancer risk, while benzotriazoles are associated with endocrine disruption and reproductive effects. Avagyan et al. [14] analyzed 26 clothing items, including children's garments, and detected eight different BTHs and BTRs. BTHs were identified as the most common chemicals in 79 textile samples, and some infant bodysuits exhibited very high BTR concentrations [15].
Although initiatives such as OEKO-TEX® and GOTS seek to reduce chemical risks, enforcement remains uneven [1]. Labeling alone does not ensure safety. Even when fibers are organically grown, downstream processing steps such as bleaching, chemical finishing, or hydrogen peroxide treatment can introduce hazardous substances, leading to exposure risks comparable to those of conventionally produced fibers. For example, a baby bodysuit labeled "organic cotton" with the Nordic Ecolabel was found to contain BTH [14].
References
1. Rovira J, Souza MCO, Nadal M, Domingo JL. Human health risks from textile chemicals: a critical review of recent evidence (2019–2025). J Environ Sci Health Part A. 2025;60(2):79–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/10934529.2025.2514406
2. Coman G, Blattner CM, Blickenstaff NR, Andersen R, Maibach HI. Textile allergic contact dermatitis: current status. Rev Environ Health. 2014;29(3):163–168. https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2014-0042
3. Malinauskiene L, Bruze M, Ryberg K, Zimerson E, Isaksson M. Contact allergy from disperse dyes in textiles: a review. Contact Dermatitis. 2013;68(2):65–75. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12019
4. Ryberg K, Goossens A, Isaksson M, Gruvberger B, Zimerson E, Nilsson F, et al. Is contact allergy to disperse dyes and related substances associated with textile dermatitis? Br J Dermatol. 2009;160(1):107–115. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08886.x
5. Brüschweiler BJ, Merlot C. Azo dyes in clothing textiles can be cleaved into a series of mutagenic aromatic amines which are not regulated yet. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2017;88:214–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2017.06.012
6. Freeman HS. Aromatic amines: use in azo dye chemistry. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2013;18:145–164. https://doi.org/10.2741/4092
7. Platzek T. Risk from exposure to arylamines from consumer products and hair dyes. Front Biosci (Elite Ed). 2010;2:1169–1183. https://doi.org/10.2741/e162
8. Brüschweiler BJ, Küng S, Bürgi D, Muralt L, Nyfeler E. Identification of non-regulated aromatic amines of toxicological concern which can be cleaved from azo dyes used in clothing textiles. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2014;69(2):263–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.04.008
9. Nguyen T, Saleh MA. Detection of azo dyes and aromatic amines in women's undergarments. J Environ Sci Health Part A. 2016;51(9):744–753. https://doi.org/10.1080/10934529.2016.1162093
10. Rovira J, Domingo JL. Human health risks due to exposure to inorganic and organic chemicals from textiles: a review. Environ Res. 2019;168:62–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.09.027
11. Luongo G, Thorsén G, Östman C. Quinolines in clothing textiles: a source of human exposure and wastewater pollution? Anal Bioanal Chem. 2014;406(11):2747–2756. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-014-7685-2
12. Yang L, Wang Y, Liu C, Zhang Y. Determination of aromatic amines from textiles using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction. J Sep Sci. 2013;36(6):947–952. https://doi.org/10.1002/jssc.201200933
13. Xue J, Liu W, Kannan K. Bisphenols, benzophenones, and bisphenol A diglycidyl ethers in textiles and infant clothing. Environ Sci Technol. 2017;51(5):5279–5286. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b00807
14. Avagyan R, Luongo G, Thorsén G, Östman C. Benzothiazole, benzotriazole, and their derivatives in clothing textiles: a potential source of environmental pollutants and human exposure. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2015;22(8):5842–5849. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3715-x
15. Liu W, Xue J, Kannan K. Occurrence of and exposure to benzothiazoles and benzotriazoles from textiles and infant clothing. Sci Total Environ. 2017;592:91–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.03.044