Carbon38 Review, Is Carbon38 Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 4 graded products, Carbon38 averages Good (65/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. None of its products grade Good or better yet. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Carbon38
Women's High Rise Legging in Ribbed Melt
Nylon/spandex blend (ribbed knit)
Azo dyes and colorant migration
Standard nylon and spandex blends are dyed with various classes of synthetic dyes; while…
Spandex degradation byproducts and skin sensitization
Spandex can degrade under UV, heat, chlorine, or sweat exposure, potentially releasing…
Lower concern. Bare synthetic knit with no disclosed water or stain treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Carbon38
Women's High Rise Full-Length Legging in Takara Shine
Nylon/polyester blend with Takara Shine finish
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Takara Shine finish composition is proprietary and undisclosed. Some surface finishes…
Antimony in polyester
Polyester often uses antimony trioxide as a catalyst in manufacturing. Antimony does not…
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fabric
Nylon and polyester garments shed microfibers during wear and washing, a known phenomenon…
Takara Shine finish stability and degradation
Proprietary finish composition is not disclosed, so durability and degradation products…
Likely lower concern, but Takara Shine finish unspecified.
⚠Risky category by default
Carbon38
Women's Seamed Legging in Melt
Nylon blend (likely nylon/spandex)
Azo dyes
The 'Melt' colorway requires synthetic dyes; while US textile regulations prohibit the…
Spandex degradation under heat or UV
Spandex (polyurethane) can break down under high heat or prolonged UV exposure…
Allergic contact dermatitis from dyes or finishes
Individuals with sensitive skin or azo dye allergies may experience irritation from…
Likely lower concern; standard stretch legging without known PFAS treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Carbon38
Women's Split Front Legging in Melt
Nylon blend athletic legging, standard water-repellent coating finish typical
PFAS
Standard water-repellent coating treatments on athletic leggings historically use PFAS…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nylon textiles sometimes receive formaldehyde-based resin finishes for wrinkle or shrink…
Elastane (spandex) degradation and microfiber shedding
All synthetic blended leggings shed microfibers during wash; this is a category-wide…
Likely has water-repellent coating treatment; brand silent on PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →