From Fabric to Finish: The Cytotoxic Impact of Textile Chemicals on Humans Health

Humans are in constant contact with clothing and textiles throughout their lives, which can expose them to chemicals present in these materials. Chemicals used in fiber production and in material processing can be absorbed through the skin, ingested, or inhaled, causing allergic reactions. Advanceme...

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Main Authors: Vera Machado, Andréa Marinho, Paula Vieira de Castro, Teresa Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Textiles
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7248/5/2/16
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author Vera Machado
Andréa Marinho
Paula Vieira de Castro
Teresa Silva
author_facet Vera Machado
Andréa Marinho
Paula Vieira de Castro
Teresa Silva
author_sort Vera Machado
collection DOAJ
description Humans are in constant contact with clothing and textiles throughout their lives, which can expose them to chemicals present in these materials. Chemicals used in fiber production and in material processing can be absorbed through the skin, ingested, or inhaled, causing allergic reactions. Advancements in modern textiles have made them more versatile and functional for a variety of applications, resulting in the use of more chemicals. Regarding the textile industry, several studies have focused on the environmental impact of its effluents and dyes, and, more recently, several studies have focused on textile waste impact in general. Nevertheless, few studies have been carried out on human cytotoxicity, and very little is known about the dangers of long-term use of textiles. The aim of this work was to review the literature to understand what has been done in the field of textile cytotoxicity. In addition, this work also highlights the existing gap regarding regulation and standardized tests for the analysis of everyday clothing. There is an urgent need to establish regulations and standardize testing protocols to assess the potential cytotoxic effects that may arise from finished textile products before they are marketed, in order to guarantee consumer safety.
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id doaj-art-9c51bcfc85d14d759fab9f5e3b4f2e16
institution Kabale University
issn 2673-7248
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Textiles
spelling doaj-art-9c51bcfc85d14d759fab9f5e3b4f2e162025-08-20T03:26:53ZengMDPI AGTextiles2673-72482025-05-01521610.3390/textiles5020016From Fabric to Finish: The Cytotoxic Impact of Textile Chemicals on Humans HealthVera Machado0Andréa Marinho1Paula Vieira de Castro2Teresa Silva3CITEVE—Technological Centre for Textile and Clothing of Portugal, Rua Fernando Mesquita, 2785, 4760-034 Vila Nova de Famalicão, PortugalCITEVE—Technological Centre for Textile and Clothing of Portugal, Rua Fernando Mesquita, 2785, 4760-034 Vila Nova de Famalicão, PortugalCITEVE—Technological Centre for Textile and Clothing of Portugal, Rua Fernando Mesquita, 2785, 4760-034 Vila Nova de Famalicão, PortugalCITEVE—Technological Centre for Textile and Clothing of Portugal, Rua Fernando Mesquita, 2785, 4760-034 Vila Nova de Famalicão, PortugalHumans are in constant contact with clothing and textiles throughout their lives, which can expose them to chemicals present in these materials. Chemicals used in fiber production and in material processing can be absorbed through the skin, ingested, or inhaled, causing allergic reactions. Advancements in modern textiles have made them more versatile and functional for a variety of applications, resulting in the use of more chemicals. Regarding the textile industry, several studies have focused on the environmental impact of its effluents and dyes, and, more recently, several studies have focused on textile waste impact in general. Nevertheless, few studies have been carried out on human cytotoxicity, and very little is known about the dangers of long-term use of textiles. The aim of this work was to review the literature to understand what has been done in the field of textile cytotoxicity. In addition, this work also highlights the existing gap regarding regulation and standardized tests for the analysis of everyday clothing. There is an urgent need to establish regulations and standardize testing protocols to assess the potential cytotoxic effects that may arise from finished textile products before they are marketed, in order to guarantee consumer safety.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7248/5/2/16textileschemicalsfinishescytotoxicitycell linesbiocompatibility
spellingShingle Vera Machado
Andréa Marinho
Paula Vieira de Castro
Teresa Silva
From Fabric to Finish: The Cytotoxic Impact of Textile Chemicals on Humans Health
Textiles
textiles
chemicals
finishes
cytotoxicity
cell lines
biocompatibility
title From Fabric to Finish: The Cytotoxic Impact of Textile Chemicals on Humans Health
title_full From Fabric to Finish: The Cytotoxic Impact of Textile Chemicals on Humans Health
title_fullStr From Fabric to Finish: The Cytotoxic Impact of Textile Chemicals on Humans Health
title_full_unstemmed From Fabric to Finish: The Cytotoxic Impact of Textile Chemicals on Humans Health
title_short From Fabric to Finish: The Cytotoxic Impact of Textile Chemicals on Humans Health
title_sort from fabric to finish the cytotoxic impact of textile chemicals on humans health
topic textiles
chemicals
finishes
cytotoxicity
cell lines
biocompatibility
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7248/5/2/16
work_keys_str_mv AT veramachado fromfabrictofinishthecytotoxicimpactoftextilechemicalsonhumanshealth
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AT teresasilva fromfabrictofinishthecytotoxicimpactoftextilechemicalsonhumanshealth