Polyester Clothing: Is it Bad for You?
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
From clothes to rugs, the plastic substance known as polyester has become a common textile in households to today. However, this synthetic material has created debate over its drawbacks. Is polyester truly harmful for you? Or is this just another meaningless debate? Read to find out!
Polyester was first discovered in 1942 by British chemists John Rex Whinefield and James Tennant Dickson. Polyester quickly rose in popularity, nicknamed the "miracle fabric" as the material did not wrinkle or need ironing to look neat. It was soon incorporated with natural fibers such as wool and cotton as it became more common. Polyester skyrocketed in popularity during the 1960s with the rise of disco culture as bell bottoms and shiny shirts became staples of fashion. It is now used as a synthetic replacement for natural fibers in clothes.
Polyester is often controversial due to its effects on the environment. Polyester uses petroleum to be made, and this fossil-fuel is non-renewable, not to mention the process itself releases harmful chemicals into the air which release greenhouse gases and use a lot of water and energy. As the global demand for polyester has continued to increase due to the rise of fast fashion, the carbon footprint of this textile has continued to rise.
Due to the rise of fast fashion and overconsumption, clothes often get tossed quickly due to the cheap quality of polyester made clothes, and the quickness of evolving trends due to platforms on social media. This has led to an abundance of polyester clothes in landfills. Due to polyester being made primarily of plastic, the material takes decades to decompose. Even when polyester is incinerated, the fabric releases harmful gases into the air, such as carbon dioxide, furthering its harmful effects on the environment.
Polyester also has sparked debate due to its harmful effects on the body. Polyester is often known to be a fabric with difficult breathability, making it difficult for sweat to evaporate off the skin. This increases the likelihood of skin irritation. The trapped heat, combined with the harsh chemicals used during production, often lead to irritation, particularly those with skin conditions such as eczema.
Polyester has been under investigation due to its possible release of microplastics into the body. While there is research supporting both sides, there is no set conclusion.
Instead of shopping products made of polyester, there are many inexpensive switches you can make to better your health. First off, opt for natural textiles such as cotton, wool, and hemp. You can often find cotton shirts at many large stores, or you can find such fabrics at thrift stores for the same price as polyester clothes. Natural fibers are much more breathable than polyester, leading to no skin irritation.
Sources:
