On April 13, 2026, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a civil investigative demand against Lululemon Athletica — one of the world's most recognized activewear brands — over the potential presence of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in its clothing.
The investigation centers on a simple question: did Lululemon sell products containing toxic forever chemicals while marketing itself as a wellness and sustainability brand?
What We Know
Paxton's office issued the demand to examine whether Lululemon's products contain PFAS and whether the company misled consumers about safety and testing standards. The AG's office said it will review the company's "restricted substances" list, testing protocols, and supply network practices.
"Americans should not have to worry if they are being deceived when trying to make healthy choices for themselves and their families," Paxton said in a statement.
Lululemon responded by saying it phased out PFAS from its products as of early 2024. The company said the chemicals had been used in durable water repellent (DWR) finishes — the coating that makes rain bead off your jacket or moisture wick away from your leggings. Lululemon called this a "small share of its assortment."
The company says it is cooperating with the investigation and providing requested documentation.
Why This Matters
PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment — or in your body. They've been linked to kidney cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage, immune system suppression, reproductive harm, and low birth weight. The EPA has set drinking water limits as low as 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most studied PFAS compounds.
But here's what most people don't realize: PFAS aren't just in your water. They're in your clothing, your cookware, your food packaging, your cosmetics, and your furniture. DWR finishes on athletic wear, outdoor gear, and rain jackets have been one of the largest consumer-facing applications of PFAS for decades.
When you wear PFAS-treated clothing, the chemicals can migrate through skin contact, especially during exercise when pores are open and body temperature is elevated. They can also shed into laundry water, entering wastewater treatment systems that aren't designed to remove them — ultimately cycling back into rivers, groundwater, and drinking water supplies.
Lululemon's Timeline Problem
Lululemon says it stopped using PFAS in early 2024. But the company was founded in 1998 and has been selling DWR-treated products for years. That means potentially two decades of products containing forever chemicals sold under a brand identity built on health, mindfulness, and clean living.
The company didn't voluntarily announce the phase-out as a major initiative. It wasn't a press release moment. It was a quiet change buried in supply chain adjustments — the kind of thing that only surfaces when an attorney general starts asking questions.
This is the core of the investigation: not just whether the products contained PFAS, but whether the marketing created a false impression of safety. When your brand identity is literally built around wellness, selling products with toxic chemicals is a different kind of betrayal than when a discount brand does the same thing.
The Bigger Picture
Lululemon isn't alone. Independent testing by organizations like the Center for Environmental Health and the Sierra Club has found PFAS in athletic wear from multiple major brands. A 2022 study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters tested 72 textile products and found detectable fluorine — an indicator of PFAS treatment — in nearly half of them, with the highest concentrations in products marketed as water-resistant or stain-resistant.
The textile industry has been slower than food packaging or cookware manufacturers to phase out PFAS, partly because DWR alternatives have historically underperformed in water repellency tests. But that's changing. Companies like Patagonia committed to eliminating PFAS from their entire product line by 2024, and several European brands have already transitioned to silicone-based or wax-based DWR alternatives.
The EU has proposed a near-total ban on PFAS manufacturing and use, which would cover textiles. If enacted, it would be the most comprehensive PFAS restriction in the world.
What Should Consumers Know?
If you bought Lululemon products before 2024, they may contain PFAS — particularly anything marketed as water-resistant, moisture-wicking, or stain-resistant. This isn't cause for panic, but it is cause for awareness:
Wash new athletic wear before first use. Multiple wash cycles can reduce surface PFAS levels, though they won't eliminate chemicals embedded in the fabric.
Look for PFAS-free labels. Some brands now explicitly certify their products as PFAS-free. If the label doesn't say, the brand's website often has a restricted substances policy.
Don't throw old gear in the trash. PFAS-treated textiles in landfills can leach into groundwater. Look for textile recycling programs that handle chemical-treated materials.
Support brands that disclose. Transparency about chemical use is the bare minimum. Companies that quietly phase out toxins without telling customers aren't being responsible — they're managing liability.
Where EPR Foundation Stands
We've been tracking PFAS in drinking water through our national water quality map, which shows real EPA data on PFAS detections across 10,299 tested water systems. But PFAS contamination doesn't start at the tap. It starts in manufacturing, moves through products, enters wastewater, and ends up in the water supply.
The Lululemon investigation is a reminder that protecting people from forever chemicals requires looking at the entire chain — not just the water coming out of the faucet, but the products we press against our skin every day.
Texas is asking the right question. Every state should be asking it.
Sources: Associated Press, April 14, 2026; Texas Attorney General press release, April 13, 2026; USA Today, April 13, 2026; Environmental Science & Technology Letters, PFAS in consumer textiles study, 2022; Center for Environmental Health testing reports; EPA PFAS MCL final rule, April 2024.