New Delhi: The controversy in the US over chemicals in activewear has raised new concerns about the clothes Indians wear to the gym, with experts warning that the issue goes beyond comfort to potential health risks.Dr Kabir Sardana, professor of dermatology, said, “Most activewear is made of plastic-based polymers that can release chemicals with potential endocrine effects, but in India, we lack the tools to measure this risk. What we see clearly is the effect on the skin – synthetic, tight clothing in hot conditions often causes fungal infections, irritation and higher absorption in areas of natural barrier such as the waist and buttocks.” The trigger came from an April 13 announcement by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who said some sportswear products were being investigated for chemicals that may interfere with the endocrine system. Development has focused on endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which are used to add stretch, sweat absorption and odor resistance to fabrics.In India, where synthetic gym wear has become the norm and regulation of textile chemicals remains fluid, the concern is particularly relevant. Chemicals like PFAS and phthalates – globally linked to hormone disruption – are widely used in textile processing. From global labels to domestic players, most of the activewear sold in India depends on chemically treated fabrics.