Port Authority Y540 Youth Silk Touch Performance Polo
Lower concern. Basic synthetic blend with no water-repellent coating treatment disclosed.
Youth polo made from polyester blend, no water-resistant or stain-resistant treatment stated. No PFAS claims or disclosures from brand, but absence of performance finishes reduces typical risk profile.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester blend performance knit
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.
Antimony in polyester
Antimony compounds are used as catalysts in polyester synthesis. This polo's polyester content may contain residual antimony; typical levels in finished garments are below concern thresholds, but Port Authority does not test or disclose residue levels.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
The 'Silk Touch' finish may involve formaldehyde-based or formaldehyde-releasing resins to impart durability and softness. No specific treatment agents are disclosed; this is a standard risk in non-certified performance apparel.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding during wash
Polyester garments shed microfibers in the washing machine. This polo's risk is typical for synthetic blends; pilling or degradation of the surface treatment over time may increase shedding rate. This is a laundering concern rather than a wear hazard.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Azo dyes and synthetic dyes
Port Authority does not publish dye or colorant specifications. No azo dyes have been reported in testing of this brand, and polyester performance wear typically uses modern disperse or reactive dyes; however, independent verification is absent.
Heavy metals
No recalls or test reports have documented heavy metal contamination in Port Authority polos. Modern textile pigments are generally regulated, but independent analysis of this product is not publicly available.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This polo is a polyester-blend performance knit designed for moisture-wicking and durability in youth athletic contexts. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic fiber with low leaching risk during normal wear or washing. The 'Silk Touch' finish suggests a soft surface treatment, likely a mechanical or low-chemical coating applied post-weave; Port Authority does not disclose specific finishing agents, so composition of that treatment remains unclear from public sources.
The brand's record and disclosure
Port Authority is a workwear and athletic brand owned by Sears Holdings; the company maintains minimal public chemical disclosure on its website and product documentation. No major recalls or chemical safety controversies have been publicly documented for this product line. The brand does not advertise GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or similar third-party textile certifications, meaning testing for restricted substances is not independently verified.
How it compares in its category
Youth performance polos in this price tier are typically 100% polyester or polyester-cotton blends with similar finishing treatments. This product sits in the middle of the market, not a premium certified-safe option (like OEKO-TEX or bluesign certified), but also not an outlier in chemical risk compared to standard mass-market athletic wear. Most competitors at this level offer equivalent material profiles without formal hazard testing transparency.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water and avoid high heat (tumble dry low or air dry) to preserve the soft finish and minimize any risk from finish degradation. No special precautions are needed beyond standard athletic garment care. Replace if visible deterioration (pilling, discoloration, coating loss) occurs; after 2-3 years of regular wear, replacement is typical for this product class. Do not bleach or use heavy fabric softeners, as these may alter surface treatments unpredictably.
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
- Sears 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.