Thinx will pay a $4 million settlement after their menstrual underwear were found to contain harmful chemicals, despite them claiming they were safe.
According to the class action lawsuit, Thinx knowingly added poly-fluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, and Agion antimicrobial treatment to its period panties, particularly around the crotch area. PFAS are commonly found in food packaging, cookware, and more. They are tough to break down once in the environment. Meanwhile, antimicrobial treatment has been linked to certain types of cancers and infertility.
Despite these poisons in the panties, Thinx branded its products as a more natural alternative to standard menstrual products. Most importantly, they said the products were “free of toxic metals and/or nanoparticles.” The majority of recorded exposures are minor, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. However, this does not excuse Thinx’s deception regarding the toxins utilized.
Thinx has denied lying to its customers. After a 2020 article written by Jessian Choy for Sierra Club’s magazine exposed high levels of PFAS in Thinx underwear, the company fired back, telling Teen Vogue that they’d conducted their own third-party testing that had not detected any PFAS.
Even with their denial, Thinx decided to pay the $4 million. Any customer who purchased the undergarments between November 12th, 2016, and November 28th, 2022, are entitled to receive part of the settlement funds. For more information, visit the official Thinx Underwear Settlement website.
