Lawsuit Investigation: Do Spanx Leggings Contain Cancerous PFAS Chemicals?
Last Updated on May 9, 2022
Investigation Complete
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have finished their investigation into this matter.
Check back for any potential updates and take a look at our open investigations here. The information on this page is for reference only.
Case Update
- May 6, 2022 – Investigation Closed
- Thank you to everyone who reached out to us in regard to this matter. At this point, attorneys working with ClassAction.org have decided to close their investigation as they believe they’ve heard from enough people who purchased the Spanx leggings at issue. If there are any further updates, they will be posted to this page.
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The information below was posted when this investigation began and remains for reference only.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Consumers who bought certain Spanx leggings.
- What’s Going On?
- Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed on behalf of consumers who purchased certain Spanx leggings due to the possible presence of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”
- What Leggings Are Involved in This Investigation?
- Attorneys are specifically looking into whether the following Spanx leggings contain PFAS: Look at Me Now high-waisted seamless leggings, Mama Look at Me Now seamless leggings, and EcoCare seamless leggings.
- What Are PFAS?
- PFAS refers to a group of chemicals that are used in a variety of consumer products to make them resistant to sweat, water and grease. They have been linked to various health effects including cancer and decreased fertility.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org would like to speak to consumers who bought any of the following Spanx-branded products:
- Look at Me Now high-waisted seamless leggings
- Mama Look at Me Now seamless leggings
- EcoCare seamless leggings
They have reason to suspect that these leggings contain toxic chemicals known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and are now investigating whether a lawsuit can be filed to help consumers take action.
What Are PFAS and Why Would They Be in My Leggings?
PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals that have been used widely since the 1950s to make industrial and consumer products resistant to heat, water, oil, grease and stains. Commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are nearly indestructible; they hardly ever break down in the environment and, once PFAS enter the body, they can remain there for years. In fact, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that most U.S. residents “have been exposed to PFAS and have PFAS in their blood.”
In the early 2000s, PFAS gained particular media attention after DuPont was sued for contaminating the local water supply in Parkersburg, West Virginia with a toxic chemical used to make Teflon. Since then, PFAS have been detected in everything from fast-food wrappers and pizza boxes to eye makeup and dental floss.
Some workout clothes designed to be sweat- and water-resistant have also been found to contain PFAS
PFAS Linked to Cancer, Other Health Problems
The ATSDR has found that high levels of PFAS may be linked to:
- Increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Lower infant birth weights
- Increased risk of high blood pressure in pregnant women
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, current peer-reviewed scientific studies have also associated PFAS exposure with decreased fertility, an increased risk of prostate cancer, reduced immune response and hormone interference. Research has also shown that PFAS can be found in human breast milk and can pass through the placenta from mother to fetus during pregnancy.
How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?
A class action lawsuit, if filed and successful, could help consumers get back some of the money they paid for their leggings. It could also force Spanx to change the way it markets its leggings – for instance, by disclosing any PFAS found to be present in the clothing.
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