Microplastics in Polyester Kids Clothing: The Hidden Health Crisis Indian Parents Must Know

What Are Microplastics and Why Should Indian Parents Care?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres—many invisible to the naked eye. According to Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, pediatric epidemiologist at Boston College, "Children are uniquely vulnerable to environmental toxins due to their developing systems and behaviours. Microplastics inside the human body are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, neurotoxicity, cell damage, obesity, and reproductive issues."

In India specifically, research published in 2025 revealed that high levels of inhalable microplastics (particles smaller than 10 micrometres) are suspended in the air of major Indian cities, with experts estimating these tiny pollutants may accumulate up to three grams in human lungs over a lifetime. Polyester from clothing was the most prevalent among 11 types of polymers identified.

What makes this even more alarming for parents: these microplastics were coated with 28 toxic chemicals, including five carcinogens such as benzene and styrene, and nine endocrine-disrupting compounds like diethyl phthalate, which can affect fertility and hormone balance in developing children.

How Polyester Sheds Dangerous Microplastics

Polyester is classified as a "primary microplastic" due to the alarming rate at which it sheds microfibres. Every single polyester garment releases hundreds of thousands of microscopic plastic fibres through three main pathways:

1. During Washing

Research published in Environmental Science & Technology found that washing polyester textiles releases between 640,000 to 1,500,000 microfibers per kilogramme of fabric. A study by Browne et al. demonstrated that even a single garment can produce more than 1,900 fibres per wash. With repeated washing cycles throughout a garment's lifetime, this adds up to millions of microplastic fibres entering our water systems—and our homes.

2. Simply By Being Worn

Here's what many parents don't realise: polyester clothing sheds microplastics just by being worn, touched, or rubbed against skin. Recent studies show that total microplastic releases from wearing polyester clothes are about the same as those from washing them. This means your child is constantly surrounded by a cloud of microplastic fibres whenever they wear synthetic clothing.

3. Through the Air at Home

Polyester fibres make up approximately 67% of the microplastics found in household dust. These particles float in the air your children breathe, settle on surfaces they touch, and contaminate the food they eat. This is particularly concerning in Indian homes where children spend significant time playing on floors and frequently engage in hand-to-mouth activities.

From a Mother's Heart: As a mother of two, I've witnessed firsthand the stark difference natural fabrics make in my children's comfort and health. When we switched entirely to organic cotton, I noticed fewer skin irritations and my younger daughter's eczema improved significantly. That's why at Mom & Zoey, we refuse to compromise—every single piece is GOTS-certified organic cotton, completely free from synthetic fibres and the microplastic pollution they bring into your home.

 

— Amanjot, Founder of Mom & Zoey

Why Children Are More Vulnerable to Microplastic Exposure

Indian children face heightened risks from microplastic exposure through clothing for several critical reasons:

Thinner, More Permeable Skin

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, baby skin is 30% thinner than adult skin and significantly more permeable. This means microplastics and the toxic chemicals they carry can be more easily absorbed directly through skin contact with polyester clothing. For babies and toddlers spending 12-16 hours daily in their clothes, this constant exposure adds up.

Hand-to-Mouth Behaviour

Young children frequently put clothing, toys, and their hands in their mouths. When babies suck on polyester fabric or chew their synthetic clothing, microplastics and nanoplastics are directly ingested. Research shows that over 95% of all soft toys sold globally are made from polyester, compounding this exposure route.

Higher Respiratory Rates

Children breathe in more air per second relative to their body weight compared to adults. Studies indicate that young children inhale up to three times more microplastics than adults due to both their respiratory rate and their proximity to the ground where microplastic-laden dust settles.

Critical Developmental Windows

The most vulnerable period for microplastic exposure is the first few months of a child's life, when crucial immunological, metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurobehavioural developmental processes are taking place. As noted in a 2025 comprehensive review, information on the detrimental effects of microplastics on children's health from infancy to adolescence remains limited—but early evidence is deeply concerning.

The Chemical Cocktail in Polyester Children's Clothing

Microplastics aren't the only concern. Polyester production and processing involves numerous toxic chemicals that pose additional risks to children's health:

• Formaldehyde: Used for wrinkle resistance, this known carcinogen has been classified by health authorities and can worsen asthma symptoms in children.
• Antimony: Used as a catalyst in polyester production, a 2013 Greenpeace analysis found antimony in 44% of polyester-containing clothing. This chemical is harmful to the eyes, skin, heart, lungs, and stomach.
• Benzophenone (BPA): Recent studies found dangerously high levels of BPA, a hormone-disrupting chemical and carcinogen, in polyester-spandex fabrics—exceeding California's safety limit by up to 19 times.
• Flame retardants: These chemicals can cause adverse effects on the nervous system and impair developmental capabilities in children.

For parents in India, where textile chemical safety remains largely unregulated at the consumer level, this lack of oversight is particularly alarming given the widespread use of polyester in children's clothing available in markets nationwide.

The Indian Context: Growing Awareness and Market Shifts

Increasingly, Indian parents are becoming educated about fabric choices and child health. As one organic clothing brand notes, "Indian parents are willing to pay a premium for quality cotton clothing that keeps their children comfortable and safe." This shift is driven by several factors:

• Climate considerations: In India's warm and humid climate, polyester's lack of breathability causes discomfort and overheating in children, while trapping moisture against the skin.
• Rising allergies and skin conditions: Parents report increased flare-ups, redness, itching, and rashes when children wear synthetic fabrics, particularly those with sensitive skin or eczema.
• Market flooding: As parents walk through India's offline markets today, shelves are increasingly stocked with Chinese-made synthetic children's clothing, raising serious questions about child health and comfort.

Government recognition is also emerging. In March 2025, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) acknowledged studies confirming the presence of microplastics in the human body, though they noted the current absence of comprehensive research on physiological and psychological impacts—particularly for children.

Why Organic Cotton Is the Safest Alternative

The solution is remarkably simple: natural fibres like organic cotton don't shed microplastics because they're not made of plastic. Here's why organic cotton is the gold standard for children's clothing:

Zero Microplastic Shedding

Organic cotton is a natural plant fibre that biodegrades completely. When it sheds fibres (which all fabrics do to some degree), these are natural cellulose particles that break down harmlessly rather than accumulating in your child's body and the environment.

Hypoallergenic and Gentle on Skin

Cotton is naturally hypoallergenic and gentle on sensitive skin, reducing the risk of irritation and allergies. Unlike polyester's rough synthetic structure, organic cotton fibres are soft and become even softer with each wash, providing comfort for children's delicate skin.

Superior Breathability

The breathable nature of cotton fabric creates a comfortable feeling even in India's hot and humid weather. Cotton allows air to circulate and helps regulate body temperature—crucial for active children and babies who struggle to regulate their own body temperature.

Chemical-Free Processing

GOTS-certified organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides and processed without toxic chemicals. This means no formaldehyde, no antimony, no BPA—just pure, safe fabric against your child's skin. To understand more about why certification matters, read our complete guide to natural versus synthetic dyes in kids' clothing.

How to Identify and Avoid Synthetic Fabrics

Here's a practical guide for Indian parents to make safer clothing choices:

Read Clothing Labels Carefully

Look for fabric content listed on garment labels. Avoid these synthetic materials:

• Polyester (most common synthetic)
• Nylon
• Acrylic
• Rayon/Viscose (semi-synthetic)
• Spandex/Lycra
• Acetate
• Any fabric listed as "blend" (often contains polyester)

Choose Natural Fibre Alternatives

Safe, natural options include:

• 100% organic cotton (best choice)
• 100% cotton (conventional—better than synthetic but not chemical-free)
• Linen
• Hemp
• Bamboo (look for mechanically processed, not chemically processed rayon)
• Silk
• Wool (for older children, avoid for babies due to irritation risk)

Look for Trusted Certifications

When buying organic cotton, seek out GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification—the most rigorous certification that ensures the entire supply chain meets strict environmental and social criteria. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is another certification indicating fabrics are tested for harmful substances, though it doesn't guarantee organic farming or processing.

For a deeper understanding of how organic cotton compares environmentally, explore our article on the environmental impact of synthetic fabrics versus organic cotton.

Reducing Your Child's Microplastic Exposure: Practical Steps

Beyond choosing natural fibres, here are additional strategies to minimise microplastic exposure in your home:

1. Replace synthetic clothing gradually: Start with items that have the most skin contact—underwear, pyjamas, and everyday wear.
2. Wash clothes less frequently: Every wash releases microplastics. Spot-clean when possible and air out garments between wears.
3. Air dry instead of machine drying: Dryers increase microfibre breakdown and release more particles into your home's air.
4. Choose natural fibre toys and bedding: Over 95% of soft toys are polyester. Opt for cotton-stuffed toys and organic cotton bedding.
5. Vacuum regularly with HEPA filters: This captures microplastic-laden dust before it's inhaled.
6. Avoid polyester fleece and plush fabrics: These shed the highest amounts of microplastics.

As we discussed in our guide to how organic clothing can reduce seasonal allergies in children, eliminating synthetic fabrics creates multiple health benefits beyond just microplastic reduction.

The Mom & Zoey Commitment: 100% Microplastic-Free

At Mom & Zoey, we made a conscious decision from day one: absolutely no synthetic fibres, ever. Every single garment in our collection is made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. This means:

• Zero microplastic shedding from our clothing
• No toxic chemicals used in farming or processing
• Complete supply chain transparency from Maharashtra cotton farms to your doorstep
• Certification you can trust and verify
• Durability that allows our clothes to be passed down to siblings and even the next generation

When you choose Mom & Zoey, you're not just buying clothes—you're making a deliberate choice to protect your child from microplastic exposure and supporting ethical, sustainable manufacturing that values children's health above profit margins.