Izod Boys Shirts & Tops Izod Polo Shirt
Lower concern. Standard polo, no water-resistant finish detected.
Izod polos are typically cotton-polyester blends without water-repellent coating or stain-resistant coatings that would introduce PFAS. No brand disclosure or third-party testing found.
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Material
Cotton/polyester blend, no reported finish
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 in polyester
Polyester-blend textiles are routinely colored with azo dyes, some of which cleave to release aromatic amines. No specific restriction on this Izod shirt, but common in low-cost casual wear. Washing and skin contact are low-risk routes; inhalation risk is minimal in finished garments.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester-cotton blends often receive formaldehyde-releasing resins for wrinkle-free appearance and fabric stiffening. This product has no stated 'easy-care' finish, reducing likelihood, but standard dyeing and finishing steps may include residual formaldehyde. Pre-wash before wearing mitigates off-gassing.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester fiber
Polyester production sometimes uses antimony trioxide as a catalyst. Antimony can be present as trace residue in finished fiber, though migration to skin is minimal in normal wear. Heating (dry cleaning, hot water) may increase leaching; no established safety threshold exists for dermal contact.
Microplastic shedding
Polyester-blend garments shed microfibers during washing and wear, contributing to environmental microplastic pollution. This is an indirect hazard for aquatic ecosystems and indirect human exposure via food chain; not a direct health hazard from wearing the shirt itself.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
Lead and cadmium in dyes are restricted under REACH and U.S. regulations for apparel sold domestically. No specific advisories exist for this Izod line. Compliance is assumed for U.S. retail but not independently verified for this product.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This polo is a cotton-polyester blend, meaning roughly 50-65% cotton and 35-50% polyester by typical Izod construction. Cotton breathes and resists chemical finishes; polyester adds durability and reduces wrinkling but introduces synthetic fiber hazards. Without a stated water-resistant or stain-guard treatment, this shirt avoids deliberate application of fluorinated compounds or other performance coatings that often carry hidden concerns. The blend is standard for casual wear and does not require specialized finishing chemistry.
The brand's record and disclosure
Izod, owned by G-III Apparel Group, maintains minimal public disclosure on chemical use in production. No major recalls or formal chemical safety certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, GOTS) are publicly associated with Izod's basic polo line. JCPenney carries no specific transparency initiative beyond standard U.S. labeling law. Absence of documentation does not confirm safety, but reflects typical industry practice for mass-market casual apparel at this price point.
How it compares in its category
This unfinished cotton-polyester polo occupies the conventional middle ground, safer than heavily treated performance polos with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings, but offering no third-party chemical verification that distinguishes premium or certified alternatives. Many competitors at similar price and material composition carry equivalent hazard profiles. Certified organic or OEKO-TEX polos exist but cost more and are rare at mass-market retailers.
If you buy it
Wash in cool to warm water (not hot) before first wear to reduce residual dyes and finishes applied during dyeing and finishing. Dry on low heat or air dry; high dryer heat can damage polyester fibers and release volatile compounds from any remaining chemical residues. Inspect collar and seams after 10-15 washes for pilling or seam degradation; replace if integrity fails. Avoid dry-cleaning for routine care unless staining is severe; dry-cleaning solvents introduce separate chemical exposure.
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
- Izod 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.