Fast fashion has made it easier than ever to keep up with growing kids. Clothes are cheap, easy to replace, and come in every color imaginable.
But new research suggests there may be a downside that isn’t obvious at first glance. Some children’s clothing may contain lead. And not just in small amounts.
Early findings show that levels in certain garments can exceed U.S. safety limits, raising concerns about how everyday exposure might affect children’s health.
Why this issue is raising concern
Young children explore the world differently than adults. They touch everything. They chew on things. Shirts, sleeves, collars – nothing is off-limits, especially for toddlers.
Even brief contact between fabric and mouth could lead to exposure. Lead is known to affect brain development, behavior, and the nervous system.
There is no safe level, and children under 6 are considered the most at risk.
Taking a closer look at clothing
Interest in this issue started close to home. Kamila Deavers began studying lead exposure after her young daughter showed elevated levels linked to toy coatings, before stricter regulations were introduced.
“I started to see many articles about lead in clothing from fast fashion,” said Deavers. “And I realized not too many parents knew about the issue.”
Deavers now works with undergraduate students at Marian University to look for everyday sources of heavy metals and share what they find with the public.
Where lead comes from in fabrics
Lead in clothing isn’t entirely new. It has been found in buttons, zippers, and snaps before, sometimes leading to product recalls. What’s different here is that the lead appears directly in the fabric itself.
One possible source is the dyeing process. Some manufacturers use lead(II) acetate to help dyes stick to fabric and keep colors bright over time.
It’s a low-cost solution, which may explain why it shows up in fast fashion items.
Testing for lead in children’s clothing
The research team tested 11 children’s shirts in colors ranging from red and yellow to gray and blue. The garments came from four different retailers, including fast-fashion and discount brands.
“We saw that the shirts we tested were all over the allowed limit for lead of 100 ppm,” said Priscila Espinoza.
Brighter colors stood out. Reds and yellows tended to have higher levels than more muted shades. While the sample size was small, none of the items met U.S. safety standards.
When kids chew on clothing
To understand real-world exposure, the team ran simulations that mimic conditions inside the stomach. They wanted to see how much lead could become available if a child mouthed or chewed on fabric.
The results were concerning. Even short periods of contact could push exposure past the daily ingestion limit set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
“Not only are children the most vulnerable to the effects of lead, but they’re also the population that is going to be putting their clothes in their mouths,” said Cristina Avello.
Repeated exposure over time could raise blood lead levels enough to require medical attention.
Many questions remain
The research is still ongoing, and some questions remain. One of them is what happens when contaminated clothing is washed.
Researchers want to know if lead can transfer from one garment to another in the washing machine.
They are also studying how detergents interact with lead compounds and whether residue could build up inside machines.
There is concern that this residue might eventually enter wastewater, creating a wider environmental issue.
Safer alternatives already exist
The situation isn’t without solutions. There are safer ways to fix dyes to fabric that don’t rely on lead.
Natural options, including plant-based materials like oak bark and pomegranate peel, can help dyes bond to textiles. Alum is another alternative that is considered environmentally safe.
“But if you want to change the clothing industry’s technology, that will cost a lot of money,” said Deavers.
Without pressure from consumers or stricter regulations, companies may be slow to switch.
Raising awareness among parents
The researchers say the biggest goal right now is awareness. Many parents simply don’t know this could be an issue.
“Everything that we’re doing is only important and helpful if we talk about it,” said Avello.
The conversation could shape how people shop, how companies respond, and how safety standards evolve.
The research was presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
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