Carhartt · Scrubs & Work Uniforms
Carhartt Cross-Flex Knit Crew Neck Scrub Top
Lower-concern base fabric; Carhartt makes no PFAS disclosure.
Carhartt's Cross-Flex scrub top is a standard cotton-polyester knit with no stated water-repellent or stain-resistant finish. No PFAS claims or third-party testing identified.
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Material
Cotton-polyester blend knit
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Carhartt Cross-Flex Knit Neck Scrub Top is made of, ingredients and materials
This scrub top is a cotton-polyester knit blend, a common construction in medical and work apparel. Cotton provides breathability and comfort; polyester adds durability, wrinkle resistance, and stretch recovery. Knit construction (versus woven) creates a fabric prone to pilling but generally lower shedding risk than loose wovens. The blend itself does not inherently require chemical treatment to function, though the dyeing and finishing process introduces risk vectors common to all textiles.
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-polyester blends in this price range commonly use disperse or reactive azo dyes. Carhartt does not disclose dye chemistry or carcinogenic azo restrictions. No recall on record, but dyes are standard skin contact concern for medical apparel.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester blend scrubs often receive formaldehyde-based cross-linking resins for wrinkle and shrink resistance. Carhartt's finish specifications are not public. Residual formaldehyde typically off-gasses during and after manufacturing; pre-wash wear limits exposure.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester fiber
Polyester production may involve antimony trioxide as a catalyst. It typically remains embedded in fiber and poses negligible skin exposure risk. However, Carhartt does not certify antimony-free production, and the hazard remains a category concern for polyester-blend garments worn directly on skin.
Microplastics
Polyester-blend knits shed microfibers during washing, particularly as pilling occurs. This product will likely release microplastics into wastewater over its lifespan, though shedding is not unique to Carhartt and affects most polyester blends in this category.
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No specific heavy metal contamination has been reported in Carhartt textiles. Polyester-cotton blends present lower metal risk than 100% cotton (which may use metal-based mordants), but Carhartt provides no trace-metal testing data.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Carhartt is a heritage workwear brand with no public certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, GOTS) or detailed chemical disclosure on this product line. The company has not published a restricted substances list or PFAS commitment specific to apparel. No recalls or established hazard reports target Carhartt scrubs. This silence reflects industry norms for mainstream workwear but limits transparency compared to certified alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Medical and work scrub tops occupy a middle tier for chemical scrutiny. High-end certified scrubs (OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GOTS organic cotton) offer third-party testing and restricted dye/finish standards; budget polyester blends vary widely and often lack disclosure. Carhartt's reputation for durability and fit is strong, but this product makes no formal safety or sustainability claim, placing it in the unverified mainstream category alongside most retail scrubs.
If you buy it
Wash before first wear to remove residual dyes and sizing chemicals. Machine wash warm (not hot) to minimize colorfast issues and extend fiber life; polyester degrades under prolonged high heat. Dry on low heat or air-dry to avoid shrinkage and pilling acceleration. Replace when seams weaken, elastic fails, or visible pilling becomes severe (typically 12-24 months with frequent laundering). Do not use chlorine bleach, which can yellow blends.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% 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.
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