Women's Billabong Paradise Sun Tully Strapless One-Piece Swimsuit
Likely water-repellent coating-treated swimwear; lower concern possible but Billabong's PFAS status unknown.
This strapless nylon/polyester one-piece likely receives water-repellent coating finish for improved water-shedding, a common source of PFAS in textile coatings. Billabong does not disclose PFAS status.
The better-graded swap
Patagonia
Patagonia Women's Bottom Turn Racerback Bikini Top
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Women's Billabong Paradise Sun Tully is made of, ingredients and materials
This swimsuit is a nylon/polyester blend, both synthetic polymers chosen for stretch, durability, and quick-dry properties in swimwear. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the fabric is the primary chemical concern; water-repellent coating coatings are typically fluorocarbon-based (hence the separate PFAS grade) but may also use non-fluorinated alternatives depending on manufacturer choice. Nylon and polyester themselves are stable under normal use, but the chemical finishes and dyes used in production are where hazard concentration occurs. The strapless design means no metal hardware concerns, reducing contact points for leaching.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry
Water-repellent coating finishes on swimwear are typically fluorocarbon-based or non-fluorinated alternatives; Billabong does not disclose which type is used on this product. If fluorinated, PFAS exposure is primary concern (see separate PFAS grade); if non-fluorinated, risk profile shifts but is still undertested in consumer swimwear.
Azo dyes and reactive dyes in fabric coloring
Nylon and polyester swimwear commonly use reactive and azo dyes; while most comply with textile safety standards (OEKO-TEX, EU regulations), Billabong does not certify this specific product. Migration of residual dye into skin or water is minimal but increases with heat, sweat, and chlorine exposure.
Microfiber shedding from worn material
Repeated washing and UV exposure degrade the nylon/polyester matrix over time, releasing microfibers into wash water and potentially into ocean if worn in aquatic environments. water-repellent coating degradation accelerates this process; no brand-specific testing available for this product.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or documented contamination for Billabong swimwear; however, nylon and polyester dyeing processes can introduce trace metals (chromium, nickel) if not properly controlled. Third-party certification absent for this product prevents confirmation of production standards.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde-based resins are less common in swimwear than in textiles, but some wrinkle-resist and shape-hold treatments may contain trace formaldehyde. Billabong does not disclose finish chemistry for this product, making assessment impossible; risk is likely low but unverified.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Billabong has not published transparent PFAS policy statements or third-party testing results for swimwear lines, which is notable given industry movement toward disclosure by competitors like Patagonia. The brand is owned by Boardriders Inc. and does not prominently advertise chemical testing certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, Bluesign) for this specific product line. No public recalls or chemical safety incidents specific to Billabong swimwear have been widely documented, but the lack of proactive disclosure makes independent verification difficult. Brand silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is a red flag for purchasers concerned about PFAS exposure.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-market swimwear brands (Billabong, Rip Curl, O'Neill) apply water-repellent coating finishes without public transparency, placing them in a murky middle ground between budget brands (minimal finishing, lower chemical load) and premium eco-brands (Patagonia, Girlfriend Collective) that disclose or avoid fluorinated treatments. Nylon/polyester blends are standard across the category; the differentiator is the water-repellent coating treatment and dye process. This product offers no known performance or safety advantage over alternatives, making brand transparency a key factor in category comparison. Competitors with published PFAS-free claims or third-party certifications would present lower uncertainty.
If you buy it
Rinse thoroughly in fresh water after each saltwater or chlorine use to minimize water-repellent coating reactivation cycles and dye bleeding. Machine wash in cool water with mild detergent; avoid fabric softeners and bleach, which can degrade both the swimsuit material and accelerate finish breakdown. Hang dry completely before storage to prevent mildew; do not tumble dry, as heat can mobilize residual finish chemicals. Replace after 2-3 years of regular use (50+ wears) or if elastic degrades, seams fray, or color shifts noticeably, as material breakdown increases fiber and finish particle shedding.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Billabong has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Elastane (spandex) degradation under heat or chlorine
Solid & Striped
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Find an alternative on Amazon
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Find an alternative on AmazonMore swimwear grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.