- Experts recommend washing new clothes before wearing them to mitigate exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, bacteria, and pests.
- New garments often contain synthetic dyes, such as azo dyes, which can pose a cancer risk and cause skin irritation, alongside preservatives like formaldehyde.
- Textile manufacturing processes may also involve heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and chromium, and 'forever chemicals', all linked to various health concerns, with lead found in children's clothing.
- Studies indicate that new clothes can harbor bacteria, including Staphylococcus and E. coli, as well as viruses like Covid and flu, transmitted from people trying them on.
- There is also a risk of encountering pests such as lice, mites, and scabies on unworn clothing, potentially transferred from others in store.
IN FULL
Bacteria, pests and chemicals: The reasons you should wash your new clothes before wearing
