Old Navy · Stain-Resistant Professional Workwear
Old Navy Women's High-Waisted Billie Straight Ankle Trouser - Blue - Petite Size L
Lower concern. Basic trouser with no waterproofing or stain treatment claimed.
Standard cotton-polyester dress pants with no water-repellent or stain-resistant finish listed. Old Navy does not advertise PFAS-free basics, and untreated materials pose lower risk than coated fabrics.
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Material
cotton-polyester blend, no apparent finishing treatment
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 residual dye allergens
Blue dyed cotton-polyester blends may contain azo dyes or traces of heavy metals (e.g., chromium, copper) used in dyeing. Pre-wash in cool water reduces but does not eliminate residual dye exposure, particularly relevant for sensitive skin.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Standard textile sizing and wrinkle-resistance treatments on polyester blends may include low-level formaldehyde-releasing resins. Concentrations in unlabeled finishing treatments are typically well below EU regulatory limits but can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals; washing removes much of this.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding during laundering
Polyester-blend trousers shed microfibers with each wash, particularly in synthetic yarns. This is an environmental rather than direct safety concern but may be relevant to repeated skin contact and machine maintenance over time.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Antimony in polyester
Antimony is occasionally used as a catalyst in polyester production but is not reported as a hazard in basic Old Navy trousers and is not mobilized during normal wear or laundering.
Flame retardants
Basic trousers are not typically treated with flame retardants unless marketed as sleepwear or childrenswear. No flame-retardant treatment is indicated on this product.
Source, EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This trouser is a cotton-polyester blend (typical 60/40 to 65/35 mix in Old Navy basics), which means it combines natural fiber stability with synthetic durability. The material itself does not require chemical waterproofing or stain-resistant coatings, which are common sources of PFAS and other persistent chemicals in performance pants. No special finishing treatments are claimed on the product label, suggesting minimal post-production chemical exposure beyond standard dye and sizing agents used in conventional apparel manufacturing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Old Navy (owned by Gap Inc.) has not made public statements specifically about PFAS or formaldehyde in clothing. Gap Inc. does maintain basic textile safety compliance with Oeko-Tex and REACH standards for major lines, but specific certifications for this trouser are not advertised. The brand has faced no significant recalls or documented chemical hazard controversies specific to basic cotton-blend trousers in recent years.
How it compares in its category
Basic cotton-polyester trousers are among the lowest-chemical-risk items in apparel because they avoid water-resistant or soil-guard treatments that introduce PFAS. This product sits squarely in the mainstream safety profile for unfinished woven bottoms; it carries no more chemical load than similar offerings from Target, H&M, or Gap's own house line. Organic cotton or certified low-impact dye options would marginally reduce exposure, but standard Old Navy manufacturing is not an outlier risk.
If you buy it
Wash in cold or warm water (not hot) before first wear to remove excess dyes and sizing agents; this is standard practice and reduces skin irritation risk. Dry on medium heat or air-dry to avoid unnecessary polyester degradation and microfiber shedding. Replace when seams or fabric show visible wear; normal trousers typically last 1-2 years with regular washing. No special storage or maintenance is required beyond typical clothing care.
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
- Old Navy has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More stain-resistant professional workwear 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.