Chemistry professor Kevin O’Shea and PhD candidate Rodrigo Restrepo Osorio have developed a method that can capture PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and then release them on demand, allowing the cleanup material to be reused instead of thrown away. Their work, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, could offer a more practical way to deal with one of today’s most stubborn pollution problems.

The idea builds on earlier discoveries that ring-shaped sugar molecules, think tiny molecular donuts, can trap PFAS in water. These molecules act like handcuffs, grabbing onto the long-chain chemicals. But until now, getting the PFAS out again (so the material could be reused) has been the tricky part.

O’Shea’s insight? Let water chemistry do the work.

At a neutral pH, the sugar-based material holds tightly onto PFAS. But shift the water slightly—make it more alkaline, even with something as simple as baking soda, and both the material and the PFAS develop negative charges. They repel each other, and the chemicals are released.

It’s a bit like a door:

At neutral pH, the door shuts and traps the PFAS inside.
At higher pH, the door opens—and the pollutants are pushed out.

This means the same material can be used again and again, making the system cheaper and more sustainable than many current PFAS treatments, which are often expensive and require processing huge volumes of water.

O’Shea’s interest in PFAS started close to home, while looking at microwave popcorn bags his son loved. Many of those bags are coated with PFAS to resist grease and heat. That everyday exposure sparked a deeper dive into how widespread—and persistent—these chemicals really are. He certainly didn’t want his kid eating them!

Many microwave popcorn brands in the US now offer PFAS-free, non-plastic bags, including Black Jewell, SkinnyPop (Sea Salt), and 365 by Whole Foods Market. And as of January 2024, the FDA announced that grease-proofing PFAS are no longer being sold for use in US food packaging. Look for expiration dates on old bags to avoid eating forever chemicals!

(Top Tip: you can make microwave popcorn in a bowl, with some salt, and a plate for a lid. Microwave for 3 to 5 minutes)

Now, his team’s work points to a future where we don’t just trap pollution, we control it, concentrate it, and remove it more intelligently.

It’s not a full solution yet. PFAS are still everywhere, from industrial waste to household products. But a reusable, low-cost system like this could become a key tool in cleaning up contaminated water—without creating even more waste in the process.

And sometimes, the answer really does start with something as simple as changing the chemistry of water. And about yoga pants, wear cotton as it’s energetically more compatible to your body, and avoid microwave popcorn. Make it the old fashioned way with vegetable oil in a pot, topped with lots of real melted butter.

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Back in late 2025, Green Prophet began asking uncomfortable questions about what’s really inside your yoga pants, from transparency failures (yes, those infamous see-through leggings) to the less visible and scarier issue: Your sweat is unlocking microplastics and chemical coatings sitting in the most absorbent parts of the human body.

Now, regulators in the United States are catching up. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a formal investigation into Lululemon, issuing a Civil Investigative Demand to determine whether the athleisure giant misled consumers about the safety of its products, specifically the potential presence of PFAS, or “forever chemicals.”

Though microplastics, which we wrote about are persistent, PFAS are distinct and often co-occur. PFAS are synthetic chemicals used for waterproofing and non-stick coatings, while microplastics are tiny solid plastic particles.

PFAS chemicals are widely used for water and stain resistance. They also persist in the environment and the human body, and have been linked in scientific studies to cancer, hormone disruption, and reproductive issues. Paxton framed the probe as a consumer protection issue:

“Americans should not have to worry whether the products they purchase are safe for themselves and their families,” he said.

And more sharply, and what’s interesting here is that he is targeting the brand’s positioning: “Companies that market themselves as leaders in health and wellness should not sell harmful, toxic materials under the guise of sustainability or safety.”

Why Lululemon? Dollar store items may use the same microplastics. But this isn’t a random enforcement action.

Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) to Lululemon USA Inc. (“Lululemon”) as part of an investigation into whether the company has misled consumers about the safety, quality, and health impacts of its products.

Healer Jasper Neil tells Green Prophet, “Synthetic fibres inhibit energy flow. If you’re an energy sensitive practitioner you can feel the difference between natural and synthetic fibres. Nice looks don’t compensate for the fact that these clothes shut your energy down.”

Lululemon is a leading activewear brand that generated over $11 billion in fiscal year 2025 alone. The company markets itself as a wellness-focused lifestyle brand emphasizing sustainability and performance. Brand ambassadors spotted wearing the pants include Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Kate Middleton, Selena Gomez, and Taylor Swift. Lessor known influencers peddling the brand include Lewis Hamilton, Sidney Crosby, Connor Bedard, Jordan Clarkson, Frances Tiafoe, and Leylah Fernandez.

However, emerging research and consumer concerns have raised questions about the potential presence of certain synthetic materials and chemical compounds in their apparel that may be associated with endocrine disruption, infertility, cancer, and other health issues.

“The health and safety of our guests is paramount, and our products meet or exceed global regulatory, safety, and quality standards,” Lululemon said in a statement. “We require all our vendors to regularly conduct testing for restricted substances, including PFAS, by credible third-party agencies to confirm ongoing compliance.”

According to the Attorney General’s Office, Lululemon occupies a unique space of premium pricing, wellness branding, and direct-to-skin products worn during heat, sweat, and friction. The investigation is expected to examine the company’s restricted substances list, product testing protocols, and global supply chain disclosures.

The legal question isn’t simply whether PFAS were used. It’s whether consumers were led to believe they were buying something cleaner than reality allowed. Sort of like Zentera’s so-called “ethical” and “kind” wool that PETA has exposed to be exploitive to animals.

The company’s response? Lululemon says the issue is already addressed.

In statements it has released on the issue that Green Prophet brought force in 2025, the company has said it phased out PFAS in its products in 2023, and that such chemicals were previously used only in limited applications, such as water-repellent finishes. It maintains that its products meet all applicable safety standards and undergo third-party testing.

The bigger issue: exposure where it matters most. If talcum powder exposure or asbestos exposure happened in the past, consumers have a right going forward to claim damages if a link can be made. The problem is that the source of immune disease such as lupus or cancers are hard to tracer.

How do I know if my leggings have PFAS?

PFAS treatments cause the fabric to strongly repel water. If you drop a water droplet onto a PFAS-treated fabric, it will bead up, roll around, and typically leaves no residue. In contrast, a droplet dropped onto an untreated fabric will soak in.

What regulators are only beginning to explore now is what Green Prophet flagged months ago. They know that synthetic fabrics shed microplastics during wear and washing. And that tight athletic clothing creates heat and friction zones, while hemical finishes may interact with sweat and prolonged skin contact.

This includes areas of the body where absorption risks are highest, such as in the crotch area, which is not abstract, but practical and daily.

Paxton didn’t go after every spandex manufacturer. He chose a category-defining brand called Lululemon which is one that sells not just apparel, but a narrative of health, control, and well-being.

If that narrative proves misleading, the implications extend far beyond one company and can shake up the health and wellness space that makes claims about products and services that are unfounded, or worse, bad for one’s health. My mother can remember a time when smoking was considered good for your health, but we know how that played out. Let’s hope the plastics lobbies aren’t so strong.

Now we ask Green Prophet readers: Can synthetic performance wear ever truly be marketed as “clean”? Green Prophet raised the question first. Now, the regulators are asking it on the record.

Is microplastics and forever chemicals something we can avoid? Basically everything (from food and water to air, from blender for your healthy smoothie to cutting board for your veggies that themselves are chemical by default and salt you season them with) contains microplastics, and as per recent studies, we thought that consuming them is the major source, actually it is inhaling,” says Lilia Khalitova. “So polyester clothes are bad, and washing them only makes them shed more. Plus add heat (UV), friction, your mat  and here we go… plastic fantastic you. Realistically it is impossible to avoid or cleanse, but can be minimised through mindful exposure.”

“But will natural cotton or bamboo pants keep your ass tight and round like the plastic ones do? That’s a trade off not many are willing to do I suppose,” sums up Ra Sa.

The post Lululemon pants leech PFAS and plastics into bodies, Texas attorney general claims appeared first on Green Prophet.

Along the cold Pacific waters of British Columbia, Canada sea otters float belly-up, cracking shellfish on their chests. They look playful and carefree, yet inside their bodies something far more troubling is happening. A recent study of 11 dead sea otters found along B.C.’s coast revealed that every single one carried high quantities of eight different “forever chemicals” in both liver and muscle tissue.

These PFAS compounds—used in everything from food packaging and cosmetics to non-stick pans, water-repellent outdoor gear, and electronics—do not break down in nature. Over time they accumulate in the food chain, becoming more concentrated as they move from small organisms to fish and ultimately to top predators like otters.

One compound, perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA), once a key ingredient in Scotchgard, stood out. Its presence in multiple tissues signals long-term environmental exposure and a chemical load that these animals had no way to escape. Sea otters are more than charming coastal icons; they are keystone predators that keep kelp forests alive by controlling sea urchin populations.

When otters become sick or die, entire marine ecosystems begin to unravel. Their contamination is not a side note. It is a warning.

The danger does not end at the tide line. Humans eat the same shellfish and fish, swim in the same waters, and breathe the same coastal air. PFAS chemicals are already linked to fertility problems, hormone disruption, immune system suppression, cancer, and developmental issues in children. If sea otters are saturated with these chemicals, it raises a blunt question: what is happening in our own bodies?

While Canada has taken preliminary steps to regulate PFAS, efforts lag behind those in parts of Europe and the United States, where governments are moving to phase these chemicals out almost entirely. Here, the pace is slower, and monitoring remains limited. Meanwhile, each rainfall carries more PFAS into rivers and coastal ecosystems, and each product we buy that claims to “repel water or stains” brings the problem closer to our homes and oceans.

Saving sea otters is not simply about protecting a beloved species. It is about defending the health of coastal communities, marine food webs, and future generations. The toxins building up in otters are the same ones that build up in us, and their decline is a message we would be foolish to ignore. In the slick sheen of their fur and the stillness of their bodies on the shoreline lies a truth about modern life: we have filled our ocean with chemicals designed never to disappear, and now they are coming back to us through the creatures that depend on those waters to live.

If we want healthy oceans, healthy seafood, and healthy children, we must act before the kelp forests fall silent and the otters vanish from the Pacific coast. Their fate is tied to ours, and time is running out to change course.

Read more on forever chemicals and the sea

Two tons of micro-plastics on Israel’s Mediterranean Sea coast

Microplastics you breathe from dust in the desert

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