Unveiling the Chemical Safety of Clothing Articles, Textiles and Footwear With Regard to the Presence of Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reprotoxic Substances, Endocrine Disruptors and Skin Sensitizers Under EU Regulatory Restrictions

Objectives: To assess the occurrence of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic substances (CMRs), endocrine disruptors, and skin sensitizers (i.e., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenols, isocyanates, isothiazolinones) in textiles, footwear, and clothing under in-force or proposed EU restrictions, and to evaluate exposure and risks for consumers related to bisphenols. Materials and Methods: 111 items from the Italian market or online were tested by gas or liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Results: 63% of the samples contained the investigated substances: 24% would exceed the proposed concentration limit for bisphenols under Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (REACH); 19% could represent a significant source of exposure to phthalates and PAHs for consumers due to non-compliance with REACH; 7% contained octylisothiazolinone above the limit proposed to protect from skin sensitisation. Isocyanates and PFAS were quantified within concentration limits proposed or set by REACH and Regulation (EU) No. 2019/1021. No risks for consumers were related to the presence of bisphenols. Conclusions: Safety of clothing articles, textiles, and footwear, especially from online market, would be significantly impacted by the presence of CMRs and environmental endocrine disruptors (i.e., phthalates, PAHs, bisphenols), highlighting the need for enforcement of EU controls and reduced use of harmful chemicals by manufacturers.