PFAS in Textiles: What You Need to Know—and How Apex Mills Is Driving to a PFAS-Free Future
What Are PFAS? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic... READ MORE
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals used globally since the 1950s. These chemicals are made up of strong carbon-fluorine bonds that resist breakdown, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”
PFAS are widely found in consumer products and industrial applications. Mounting research links them to serious health concerns, including cancer, hormonal disruption, and immune system suppression. Because PFAS accumulate in the body over time, the CDC reports that the vast majority of Americans have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood.
A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), found PFAS in the blood of approximately 97% of Americans. This underscores how deeply embedded these chemicals are in our everyday environment.
PFAS enter the human body through several channels:
The performance benefits of PFAS are why they’ve become common in high-tech fabrics—but those benefits come at a cost. PFAS are valued in textile manufacturing for their ability to repel oil and water, also known as oleophobic and hydrophobic properties. This makes them common in:
These features are frequently found in outerwear, uniforms, performance gear, and activewear.
The textile industry is moving toward safer alternatives. Manufacturers are exploring:
Several states have passed laws restricting PFAS in textiles:
| State | Effective Date | Details |
| California | Jan 1, 2025 | Bans sale of new textiles containing PFAS above a defined threshold; compliance certification required |
| New York | Jan 1, 2025 | Bans intentionally added PFAS in new apparel; exemption for outdoor clothing until 2028 |
| Colorado | 2024–2028 | Requires labeling (“Made with PFAS chemicals”) until Jan 1, 2028, then bans PFAS in household and outdoor apparel |
Across the Atlantic, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is leading a push for a universal ban on PFAS under REACH, with other countries expected to follow.
At Apex Mills, all the textiles we proudly manufacture at our Insight Textiles facility are 100% PFAS-free fabrics.
We believe in innovation that doesn’t come at the cost of human or environmental health. Our operations emphasize sustainability, safety, and compliance:
Sustainable by Design: Insight Textiles returns cleaner water to the Smith River than what it draws, and Apex Mills operates fully PFAS-free.
Our 2023 acquisition of Insight Textiles in Woolwine, Virginia enabled us to modernize production and improve energy efficiency.
Today, Apex Mills:
From military-grade gear to healthcare textiles and high-performance industrial applications, textiles manufactured by Apex Mills deliver customized fabric solutions—without PFAS.
Let’s build a cleaner future together.
Contact our team today to develop the right fabric for your application—engineered for performance, designed for sustainability.
Reach your most challenging
textile goals with confidence.
