A growing body of research is revealing the pervasive and often unseen impact of plastics on human and environmental health. This report focuses on polyester, a synthetic fiber now dominating the textile industry – accounting for over 60% of all fabrics produced – and its inextricable link to plastic pollution. From microplastics detected in human organs to the contamination of global ecosystems, this investigation examines the mounting evidence of the health and environmental costs associated with our reliance on this ubiquitous material, and the industrial forces driving its continued use.
For years, researchers have been documenting the pervasive impact of plastics on our lives, from the alarming discovery of microplastics in the human brain to the silent contamination of our soils, oceans, and all living things. The polyester fiber, a mainstay of the modern textile industry, is deeply intertwined with this dangerous dependence on plastic. This article takes a closer look at this product and an industrial model fundamentally incompatible with a healthy planet.
Polyester and its derivatives have gradually replaced cotton, wool, linen, and other natural fibers – those harvested directly from plants or animals – with synthetic fibers manufactured industrially from fossil fuels. Initially adopted for economic reasons, and later for specific technical properties like durability and water resistance, these materials now account for approximately 60.1% of global textile consumption, along with other synthetic fibers. This reliance on synthetic materials has significant implications for environmental and human health.
Direct contact with plastics – whether through food, skin exposure, or living and working in plastic-filled environments – is proving to be a largely underestimated danger to all life, as recent scientific studies demonstrate. These studies highlight multiple risks, including allergies, hormonal disruption, toxicity from additives, and even impacts on fertility. Understanding these risks is crucial for protecting public health.
Plastic Contamination of the Oceans
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Products derived from petroleum, such as polyester, nylon, elastane, and acrylic, are extremely harmful to living organisms and are found in astronomical quantities throughout the environment due to their production and use. They’ve been detected in the Antarctic, in placentas, breast milk, cookware, food packaging, and even in human brains and rainwater.
Once in the environment, these particles enter the food chain and can be absorbed through the skin or ingested, posing a long-term health risk. The widespread pollution of our oceans is a particularly concerning consequence.
According to Ifremer, 80% of waste in the seas and oceans is plastic. However, the pollution from microplastics and nanoplastics, while established, remains poorly understood. Macro-debris, visible to the naked eye, represents only 10% of the number of plastic pieces in the sea.
The Polyester Threat to Health
Let’s begin with drinking water, which, according to research from the CNRS, can also become a source of plastic contamination. The study revealed that the majority of microplastics in drinking water escape current detection methods due to their small size (less than 20 µm). Whether bottled or not, water is, in effect, polluted – not to mention ongoing scandals involving Nestlé and contaminated water sold at inflated prices.
Regarding clothing and plastic-based interiors, contact between polyester or other plastic materials and the skin frequently causes allergic reactions and irritation, especially in sensitive individuals. Several clinical studies and dermatological observations confirm this: because it’s not breathable, it promotes sweating and friction. The result can be redness, skin rashes, itching, and even eczema in some people.
Wearing polyester underwear increases the risk of urinary tract infections and cystitis, as the fibers retain moisture and heat, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth. Even partially lined with cotton, polyester can release microfibers that contaminate mucous membranes and increase the risk of infections, potentially even toxic shock syndrome. The direct contact with vaginal mucous membranes, for example, can have serious effects, as mucous membranes in general absorb more pollutants than other parts of the body, and vaginal mucous membranes are even more permeable. Research highlights the increased vulnerability of these tissues to pollutants.
However, according to ANSES, polyester is routinely treated with dyes, finishing agents, wrinkle-resistant chemicals, flame retardants, phthalates, and other substances that are far from harmless. These are proven endocrine disruptors that can migrate from the fabric to the skin and then enter the body.
Adding to the problem of textile pollution, a study published in June 2024 showed that PFAS present in many synthetic textiles easily cross the skin barrier:
“Up to 59% of certain PFAS molecules are absorbed after 24 to 36 hours of exposure,” according to tests conducted on human skin models.”
Impact on Fertility and the Hormonal System: Concerning Studies
Polyester and its derivatives may pose risks to the endocrine system, but the danger primarily depends on the chemical substances added during the manufacturing and finishing of textiles, rather than the polyester polymer itself. Specifically, pure polyester, composed of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, is not inherently classified as an endocrine disruptor.
However, as noted by Santé.gouv, textiles made of polyester are treated with various chemical additives that can migrate from the fabric to the skin, especially when exposed to heat or sweat, and then be absorbed by the body. Potential effects include fertility problems, developmental abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, and other pathologies linked to endocrine disruption.
A study on subjects continuously exposed to polyester clothing showed azoospermia (absence of sperm) after 140 days. The phenomenon was reversible, but highlights polyester’s ability to disrupt spermatogenesis, likely through its high electrostatic potential and the migration of chemical substances.
The Dangers of Plastic Fabrics in Our Homes
Just like polyester, synthetic fabrics like polyamide, nylon, and elastane include endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, neurotoxins, and mutagens that can migrate into the air or come into direct contact with the skin. These harmful effects are also amplified by textiles in our homes, including curtains, sofas, carpets, cushions, pillows, sheets, and mattresses. Therefore, children’s plush toys are also reservoirs of ultra-toxic pollutants.
The toxicity of children’s mattresses was highlighted by two studies published by the University of Toronto on April 15, 2025:
“babies and young children can breathe in and absorb harmful chemicals contained in mattresses while they sleep.”
Babies and children are even more susceptible to exposure to these pollutants due to their more permeable skin, frequent hand-to-mouth contact, and proximity to fabrics and the floor, a receptacle for microplastics and other pollutants (such as synthetic cleaning products).
To reduce exposure, researchers advise parents to reduce the number of pillows, blankets, and toys. They also recommend regularly washing bedding and clothing, as they act as a protective barrier, and favoring undyed or neutrally colored fabrics. Maintaining vibrant colors requires the addition of UV filters and other additives that can be harmful. Coupled with the toxicity of furniture and cleaning products, regular ventilation is essential.
Overwhelming Industrial Responsibility
The widespread use of polyester and synthetic fibers is a direct consequence of industrial and political strategies. By prioritizing materials derived from petrochemicals – inexpensive and highly profitable – industries have imposed a textile model based on overproduction, opacity, and the externalization of health and environmental costs. The dominant narrative, which places responsibility on consumers, obscures the central role of large fast fashion groups and the petrochemical industry in organizing this dependence on plastic.
Presented as an “ecological” solution through recycling, recycled polyester remains a major source of microplastics and toxic substances. Truly reducing the impact of textiles requires structural change: strictly regulating the production of synthetic fibers, imposing transparency on the chemicals used, and ending false industrial solutions. As long as industries are not held fully accountable for the damage they cause to ecosystems and human health, polyester will remain one of the most visible symbols of an economy that sacrifices life for profit.
– Maureen Damman
Photo de couverture de EqualStock sur Unsplash
