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By Hollie Silverman
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation into Lululemon Athletica for the potential presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in its athletic apparel and issued a civil investigative demand to the company, according to a statement from his office issued Monday.
The probe sought to determine whether the brand’s marketing might have misled health-conscious consumers about product safety and whether company practices aligned with its stated standards, Paxton's office said.
In a statement emailed to Newsweek on Monday, a company spokesperson said: "Lululemon does not use PFAS in its products. The company phased out the substance in FY23, which had been used in durable water repellent products, a small percentage of our assortment."
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Why It Matters
The investigation signaled expanding state-level scrutiny of PFAS, a class of chemicals commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in the environment and human body.
Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate, has sued other major chemical manufacturers over alleged misrepresentations about PFAS safety.
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What To Know
Paxton’s office said it was examining whether Lululemon’s products contained PFAS that customers “would not expect based on the brand’s marketing.”
“Emerging research and consumer concerns have raised questions about the potential presence of certain synthetic materials and chemical compounds in their apparel," Paxton said in the release.
Investigators plan to review the company’s Restricted Substances List, testing protocols and supply chain practices.
The attorney general issued a civil investigative demand to the company as part of the probe, which focused on consumer protection and advertising claims regarding product safety and wellness.
The move built on the state’s prior litigation targeting PFAS manufacturers. In 2024, Paxton filed a lawsuit against 3M and DuPont alleging decades of misrepresentations and omissions about PFAS safety in household brands such as Teflon, Stainmaster and Scotchgard, seeking penalties and costs.
The Texas Tribune reported in late 2024 that state officials have identified PFAS contamination in multiple systems, with nearly 50 public water systems exceeding newly released EPA limits at the time, highlighting broader environmental and public health stakes.
Bloomberg reported that Lululemon’s shares fell in New York trading after Texas announced the PFAS probe of the yogawear brand’s apparel.
The Lululemon spokesperson told Newsweek: "The health and safety of our guests is paramount, and our products meet or exceed global regulatory, safety, and quality standards. We require all our vendors to regularly conduct testing for restricted substances, including PFAS, by credible third-party agencies to confirm ongoing compliance.
"We are aware of the inquiry from the Texas Office of the Attorney General and are cooperating by providing the requested documentation."
What Are PFAS?
PFAS have been linked in research and public health reporting to certain cancers and other health impacts, sparking lawsuits and policy action changes nationwide. They are a part of large family of synthetic chemicals used since the mid‑20th century in products that resist heat, oil, water and stains.
They appear in everything from nonstick cookware and food packaging to water‑repellent clothing, firefighting foam and industrial processes. Their carbon‑fluorine bonds are among the strongest in chemistry, which means they don’t break down easily in the environment or the human body—earning the nickname “forever chemicals."
Because they persist and travel widely, PFAS have been detected in soil, water, air, food, household dust and even in the blood of the vast majority of Americans. Exposure most commonly occurs through contaminated drinking water, food, consumer products and indoor environments.
Health conditions linked to PFAS and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) include high cholesterol, reduced immune response, changes in liver enzymes and signs of liver damage, pregnancy‑related complications, and developmental effects in children, such as low birth weight, delayed development and behavioral changes.
What Happens Next
The attorney general’s office said it would review Lululemon’s chemical-management policies, testing documentation and supply-chain practices as part of the civil investigative process.
Texas’ ongoing PFAS litigation against chemical manufacturers remained active, and the outcome of the Lululemon probe could inform or coincide with broader state and national efforts to address alleged PFAS.
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