Consumer tests reveal bisphenols in underwear, headphones, and children's clothing

Consumer organizations from Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Czechia, and Slovakia have revealed significant chemical exposure in everyday products through the LIFE ToxFree project. Testing conducted on various consumer goods found bisphenols in approximately one-third of tested underwear (55 out of 166 samples) and in 60 percent of children's UV-protection T-shirts.

In a study of 81 pairs of headphones, bisphenols were detected in every single sample, along with phthalates in all tested units. Additionally, 72 percent of the headphones contained five or more flame retardants. The testing also highlighted safety failures in children's apparel, noting that 35 percent of UV-protection shirts failed to meet European legislative requirements for personal protective equipment.

Data from a Slovenian human biomonitoring program involving over 1,800 children and adolescents indicates that Bisphenol A (BPA) remains the predominant bisphenol found in the population. Findings suggest that women and girls may face higher exposure risks, partly due to the use of synthetic materials in women's clothing. Experts warn that these chemicals, including phthalates and bisphenols, can act as hormone disruptors, posing particular risks during developmental stages.