Girls 4-16 IZOD Pull-On Skinny Bootcut Pants in Regular & Plus
Lower concern. Cotton-blend pants rarely treated with PFAS.
Standard children's cotton-blend pants with no disclosed water-resistant or stain-resistant finishes. PFAS risk is low for untreated textiles, though dyeing processes are unspecified.
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Material
Cotton blend blend, pull-on pants with elastic waistband
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 and dye residues
Cotton-blend children's clothing typically uses acid or reactive dyes; while regulated azo dyes (those cleaving to carcinogenic amines) are banned in the EU and restricted in the US, unreacted dye particles can remain on fabric. Pre-wash removes most loose residue; skin contact is low-risk for short-term wear but possible irritant for sensitive children.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Pull-on pants with elastic often receive wrinkle-resist or anti-microbial finishes using formaldehyde releasers (such as methylol compounds). These are permitted under CPSIA at levels below 100 ppm for children's sleepwear and 300 ppm for other apparel. Off-gassing is highest in the first few washes; no brand-specific testing on record for this line.
Source, ATSDR ↗Elastane (polyurethane) degradation and microfiber shedding
Elastane fibers in the waistband and seams can shed microplastics over time, especially with heat drying or aggressive washing. This is a physical rather than chemical hazard but relevant to textiles with stretch fibers. Not specific to this brand; inherent to the product category.
Allergenic fragrance or preservatives in elasticated areas
Elastic components may retain preservatives or fabric softening agents used during manufacturing or finishing. Contact dermatitis from waistband irritation is uncommon but documented in children with sensitive skin; not brand-specific, but pre-wash and initial fit testing mitigates risk.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Lead
No recalls or public testing data exist for IZOD or Kohl's house brand apparel involving heavy metal contamination in dyes. US dye suppliers are regulated under EPA standards, but disclosure is limited. Risk is low for a major retailer but not independently verified for this specific product line.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
These pants are a cotton blend with elastic waistband, meaning they combine natural cellulose fibers with synthetic elastane or polyester for stretch and recovery. The cotton portion resists chemical retention better than synthetic-dominant blends, but dye fixatives and finishing agents are still applied during manufacturing. The elastic waistband introduces polyurethane or similar elastomer, which can off-gas volatile compounds early in the garment's life but typically dissipate within weeks of normal wear and washing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kohl's does not publish detailed chemical safety or restricted substance lists specific to apparel lines. The brand has not faced major recalls or public safety controversies regarding children's clothing chemistry on record. As a mass-market retailer, Kohl's house brands comply with US federal standards (CPSIA for children's wear) but do not voluntarily disclose certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX, which would signal stricter chemical control.
How it compares in its category
Pull-on skinny pants in this price tier typically carry similar chemical load to this product, reactive dyes, formaldehyde-releasing finishes for wrinkle resistance, and standard elastane elasticity enhancers. Higher-end or certified alternatives (organic cotton, OEKO-TEX certified) would reduce dye residues and antimicrobial treatments. Budget mass-market alternatives have comparable risk profiles; this product is mid-range for chemical transparency.
If you buy it
Wash before first wear and after initial wears to remove loose dye particles and volatile finish residues. Machine wash warm with mild detergent; avoid excessive heat drying, as elastane degrades above 130 F and can shed microfibers. Replace when waistband elastic loses recovery or seams fray, typically after 1-2 years of regular wear. If the child develops unexplained skin irritation in the waistband area, consider contact dermatitis from dye or finish residue and switch to pre-washed or certified alternatives.
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
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.