Cherokee · Scrubs & Work Uniforms
Cherokee Project Lab Women's 28" 3-Pocket Lab Coat
Skip. Cherokee does not disclose PFAS risk in lab coats.
Standard cotton-polyester lab coat with no visible water-resistant or stain-resistant finish claimed. Brand offers no PFAS transparency; unverified for forever chemicals.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
cotton polyester blend
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Cherokee Project Lab Women's 28" Lab Coat is made of, ingredients and materials
This lab coat is a cotton-polyester blend, typically 65% polyester and 35% cotton or similar ratio. Polyester contributes durability and wrinkle resistance; cotton adds breathability and comfort. The blend is standard for workwear because it resists staining and wrinkling better than 100% cotton, but polyester can shed microfibers when washed and may retain odors. No coating or finish is mentioned in the known context, so evaluation focuses on the base fiber and any dyes or finishes applied during manufacturing.
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Cotton-polyester blends may be treated with formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or dye fixation during manufacturing. Cherokee does not disclose finish type. Residual formaldehyde can off-gas, especially when new, and may irritate skin or respiratory tract in sensitive individuals.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes
No specific dye information is disclosed for this product. Azo dyes are common in textile manufacturing and can break down under certain conditions to release aromatic amines; labs typically use white or light-colored coats, which may reduce azo dye load, but this is not confirmed for this model.
Microplastic shedding from polyester
All polyester-blend textiles shed microfibers during washing and wear. Over the coat's lifespan, this contributes to microplastic pollution. Frequency increases with washing frequency and mechanical abrasion, both typical in lab settings.
Undisclosed water-repellent or stain-resistance treatments (potentially fluorochemical)
Lab coats marketed with stain resistance or water repellency may contain legacy PFOA, PFOS, or other fluorochemicals not mentioned in product labeling. Cherokee's silence on finishing treatments means this risk cannot be ruled out and may overlap with the PFAS grade assessment already provided.
Skin irritation from residual dyes or finishes
New textiles may retain dyes, sizing agents, or manufacturing residues that cause contact dermatitis or itching in sensitive skin. Prewashing and air-drying before first wear in direct contact with skin reduces this risk.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Cherokee is silent on PFAS use in lab coats and does not publicly disclose water-resistance or stain-resistance treatments. The brand maintains no visible third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or GOTS) on record for this product. Without disclosure, it is not possible to rule out legacy fluorochemical water repellents or durable stain treatments commonly used in medical and lab apparel. Buyer transparency is limited.
How it compares in its category
Cotton-polyester blend lab coats are the industry standard and are functionally comparable across mid-market brands. Cherokee's offering is typical in construction and material choice. Lab coats from brands with explicit OEKO-TEX or GOTS certification, or those with published PFAS-free commitments, offer clearer hazard disclosure. This product sits in the middle, reliable construction, no known material red flags, but below-average transparency.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water with mild detergent before first wear to reduce potential residual dye or finish volatiles. Launder separately from delicate items to minimize microfiber transfer. Inspect seams and pockets after 10-15 washes for pilling or degradation, especially if used in high-friction lab environments. Replace if collar or cuff seams fray or if elastic in pockets loses integrity; do not bleach or tumble-dry on high heat, as this accelerates polyester breakdown.
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
- Cherokee has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More scrubs & work uniforms 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.