Calvin Klein · Waterproof Sports Undergarments
Calvin Klein Men's Intense Power Sport Tee
Lower concern, basic cotton-blend tee with no known water-repellent coating or stain treatment.
Uncoated cotton-blend athletic tee carries lower PFAS risk than treated performance wear. Calvin Klein makes no PFAS claims, and no third-party verification was found.
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Material
Cotton-blend knit jersey, uncoated
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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.
Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
Cotton-blend knits are typically dyed with commercial reactive or disperse dyes; while azo dyes are restricted in EU textiles, low levels of azo metabolites can persist if quality control at the dye house is minimal. No specific testing available for this SKU, but risk is mitigated by PVH's scale and established supplier networks.
Heavy metals
Dark dyes and prints may contain trace lead or cadmium depending on dye chemistry and supplier practices; however, concentrations in dyed textiles rarely approach skin-transfer risk for unbroken skin exposure. Pale or undyed versions carry negligible risk.
Source, FDA ↗Fragrance allergens or residual chemical odors
Some sport tees are treated with synthetic fragrance or antimicrobial finishes to appeal to performance claims; this specific SKU has no known treatment, but a strong chemical smell at purchase warrants pre-wash and inspection for non-standard finishing.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Uncoated knit jerseys typically avoid heavy formaldehyde-based resin treatments reserved for wrinkle-free or shape-retention finishes. No evidence of such treatment on this basic sport tee; standard post-dye washing should remove trace formaldehyde from the dye process itself.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester component
Antimony trioxide is used as a polyester catalyst in synthetic fiber production; residual levels in finished fabric are typically below detectable thresholds and not bioavailable during normal wear. No recalls or testing issues reported for CK basics.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This tee is a cotton-blend knit jersey, meaning it combines cotton fibers with synthetics (likely polyester) to improve stretch, durability, and moisture-wicking for athletic wear. The uncoated construction means no water-repellent fluorinated chemical layer, eliminating one major source of PFAS in performance apparel. Cotton-dominant blends in this weight typically undergo standard dyeing and finishing; the synthetic portion introduces minimal heavy metal or formaldehyde risk at normal commercial dye houses.
The brand's record and disclosure
Calvin Klein (PVH Corp.) has not issued a public stance specific to PFAS in apparel, placing it in the silent-disclosure category common among mainstream fashion brands. The brand maintains general compliance with EU and US textile regulations but does not independently publish chemical testing or restricted-substance lists for individual SKUs. No major recalls or chemical contamination incidents on record for CK basics like this tee suggest routine quality control, though transparency remains limited.
How it compares in its category
A standard cotton-blend sport tee from a major brand sits in the middle-safety tier of casual apparel; it avoids the higher-risk profiles of heavily treated synthetic performance wear (which often carry water-repellent coatings) and the lower-risk profile of certified organic-cotton basics. CK's manufacturing partners and dye houses are typically mid-to-large scale with basic compliance infrastructure, not cutting-edge sustainability or full chemical transparency like Patagonia or smaller certified brands.
If you buy it
Wash in cold water before first wear to remove excess dyes and finishes; this step reduces any residual irritants from manufacturing. Inspect the garment for strong chemical odors or color bleeding during the first wash; return if either is pronounced. Dry on low heat or air dry to extend synthetic fiber durability. Replace when seams weaken or fabric pills, typically after 50-80 wash cycles for this weight; worn-out fibers are not a toxicity hazard but signal loss of structural integrity.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Calvin Klein has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More waterproof sports undergarments 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.