Carhartt · Waterproof Sports Undergarments
Carhartt Men's Force Relaxed Fit Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt
Basic cotton tee, lower PFAS concern with no waterproofing.
This is a plain cotton t-shirt with no water-resistant or stain-resistant finish. Carhartt makes no PFAS claims for this product, and untreated cotton basics carry lower concern.
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Material
100% cotton jersey knit, untreated
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
The shirt is dyed (available in multiple colors including black, gray, brown). Standard industrial cotton dyes may include azo compounds; Carhartt does not specify certified low-impact dyes or azo restrictions for this line. Risk is low for wearing finished garment but higher during manufacturing wastewater discharge.
Microfiber shedding
All cotton textiles shed fibers during laundering, particularly in early washes. Untreated cotton sheds at higher rates than synthetic or heavily finished fabrics. Shed fibers are biodegradable cellulose, not synthetic microplastics, so aquatic toxicity risk is low but volume contribution to microfiber pollution is non-zero.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Untreated cotton jersey has no durable-press or wrinkle-resistant finish that would introduce formaldehyde-releasing resins. No hazard identified in product specifications.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester
Product is 100% cotton, not polyester. No antimony exposure pathway exists.
Flame retardants
No flame-retardant treatment is claimed or typical for basic cotton work shirts. Untreated cotton is not fire-resistant and requires no chemical modification for this product.
Source, EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This shirt is 100% cotton jersey knit with no applied finishes or treatments mentioned. Cotton fiber itself is a natural cellulose polymer and does not inherently contain toxic additives. The 'untreated' designation is significant, it means no water-repellent coatings (which would introduce PFAS), no antimicrobial finishes (which sometimes use heavy metals or quaternary ammonium compounds), and no durable press resins (which release formaldehyde). Jersey knit construction is a basic mechanical weave with no chemical stiffening required.
The brand's record and disclosure
Carhartt does not publish detailed chemical disclosure policies or third-party certifications like OEKO-TEX or bluesign for this product line. The brand has no documented major recalls or chemical scandals affecting basic cotton apparel in recent years. However, the silence on PFAS use in finishing processes means buyers cannot verify whether any water-repellent treatments appear in other product variants. Carhartt's workwear focus suggests practical durability over fashion-forward finishes, which indirectly supports simpler chemistry.
How it compares in its category
Basic untreated cotton tees are among apparel products with lower concern in chemical terms. This shirt occupies the same low-hazard space as generic Hanes or Fruit of the Loom basics. The main differentiator is Carhartt's reputation for durability, which often means thicker, more densely woven fabric that sheds microfibers more slowly than thin fast-fashion alternatives. Without water-resistant claims, this avoids the PFAS-laden performance-wear category entirely.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water (under 104F) to preserve dye integrity and reduce fiber degradation that can shed microplastics into wastewater. Standard detergent poses no special risk with untreated cotton. Tumble dry on low or air dry to extend garment life; high heat accelerates fabric breakdown. Replace when seams fail or fabric tears, not due to chemical aging. No special care required; standard laundry practices are sufficient.
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
- Carhartt 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.