Girls' Uniform Polo Shirt Shirt by Gap
Lower concern. Plain cotton polo with no reported treatments.
Standard cotton kids polo shirt with no water-resistant or stain-resistant finish. Gap does not disclose PFAS use, but untreated cotton has minimal inherent PFAS risk.
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Material
cotton/cotton blend polo shirt, 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.
Heavy metals
Cotton polos are dyed; Gap does not disclose dye supplier restrictions or test results. Azo dyes banned in the EU but not all variants are illegal in the US. No recalls issued for Gap Kids polos, but risk is present in any conventionally dyed garment unless certified otherwise.
Source, FDA ↗Pesticide residue
Conventional (non-organic) cotton may retain trace pesticide residues from field treatment. Residues are typically washed out in manufacturing and further diluted by first home wash. Public health risk is low for skin contact, though organic cotton would eliminate this entirely.
Source, EPA ↗Antimony in polyester content (if blended)
If the blend includes polyester, antimony trioxide is a common catalyst in polyester synthesis. Leaching from intact fibers in clothing is negligible; risk is theoretical and not established as a hazard in routine wear of polyester-blend shirts. No incidents recorded for Gap Kids polos.
Microfiber shedding during wash
All textiles shed fibers; cotton polos are not exceptional shedders but will release microfibers (visible lint) in washing. Environmental concern is greater than human health risk. Washing in a lint filter or mesh bag reduces shedding into water.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
US regulations (CPSIA) cap formaldehyde at 100 ppm for children's sleepwear; this is daywear (polos) and untreated, so formaldehyde finish risk is minimal. No formaldehyde incidents reported for Gap Kids basic polos on record.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is a cotton or cotton-blend polo shirt with no reported chemical treatments (dyes, finishes, flame retardants). Cotton fibers themselves are biologically inert; the safety risk in garments comes from processing chemicals added during dyeing, printing, or finishing. An untreated cotton polo minimizes exposure to many common textile additives. The blend ratio (if any synthetic content) matters for durability and shrinkage, but not typically for acute chemical hazards if no treatments are applied.
The brand's record and disclosure
Gap Inc. does not publish detailed chemical disclosure or BLUESIGN/OEKO-TEX certification for its basic kids' polos. The brand has faced no major recalls or documented formaldehyde or azo dye incidents in children's uniform wear in recent years. Gap Kids maintains basic compliance with US and EU textile safety standards (lead/cadmium limits in dyes, formaldehyde restrictions for children's wear), but does not voluntarily exceed these. Transparency on dye sources and finishes is minimal compared to premium or certified-sustainable brands.
How it compares in its category
Mass-market uniform polos from Gap, Lands' End, and Old Navy occupy the same tier, legal compliance without premium certification. This product is comparable to competitors in hazard profile. Certified organic cotton polos (from brands like Hanna Andersson or Frugi) would carry third-party dye and finish assurance, but cost more. Gap's positioning is cost-accessible and adequately low concern for routine school wear, not a standout for chemical minimization.
If you buy it
Wash once in cold water before first wear to rinse out residual dyes and sizing agents. Wash in warm or cold water thereafter; hot water can set dyes unpredictably and may degrade cotton elasticity if blended. Dry on low heat or line dry to preserve fit and reduce microfiber shedding. Replace when seams fray, pills form, or color fades unevenly (typically 1-2 years of school wear). No special storage precautions needed for untreated cotton.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Gap Kids has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More school 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.