‘The clothes Indians wear to the gym may pose health risks’

NEW DELHI: The US controversy over chemicals in sportswear has raised fresh concerns about what Indians wear to the gym, with experts warning that the issue is not just about comfort but also about potential health risks.“Most sportswear is made from plastic polymers that release chemicals with potential endocrine effects, but in India we lack the tools to measure this exposure. What we are clearly seeing is the skin effects – synthetic tight-fitting garments in hot conditions often lead to fungal infections, irritation, and higher absorption in naturally occluded areas such as the groin and buttocks,” said Dr. Kabir Sadhana, professor of dermatology. The trigger was an April 13 statement from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who said certain sportswear products were being investigated to determine whether they contained chemicals that could disrupt the endocrine system. The development has heightened concerns about endocrine-disrupting chemicals used in fabrics that have stretchy, sweat-wicking and odor-resistant properties.This concern is particularly relevant in India, where synthetic sportswear has become the norm and the regulation of textile chemicals remains imperfect. Chemicals such as PFAS and phthalates, which have been linked to hormone disruption globally, are widely used in textile processing. From global brands to local brands, most sportswear sold in India relies on chemically treated fabrics.