Some American sports and athleisure brands have been served legal notices for using a chemical beyond safe limits in their clothes.

The chemical is called BPA and the brands include Athleta, Nike, Fila, New Balance, and Reebok. BPA can emulate hormones like oestrogen and block other hormone receptors, altering the concentration of hormones in our body and resulting in negative health effects.Even low levels of exposure during pregnancy have been associated with a variety of health problems in offspring. These problems include abnormal development of the mammary glands and ovaries that can increase the likelihood of developing breast or ovarian cancer later in life. These effects occur even at low levels of exposure. BPA has been found in polyester-based clothing with spandex, including socks made for infants. BPA can be absorbed through skin and end up in the bloodstream after handling paper for seconds. Since sports bras and athletic shirts are worn for hours at a time,high levels of BPA in clothing are a matter of concern.

Toxic chemicals can cause a range of diseases that include cancer, diseases of the heart and lungs, and reproductive impairment. Prevention of these impacts is most effectively achieved by phasing out the use of toxic chemicals.