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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation on Tuesday into whether Fruit of the Loom and Hanes use toxic chemicals in producing children’s underwear.
Paxton said he sent civil investigative demands to Fruit of the Loom, which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, and Hanes, which is owned by Canadian company Gildan Activewear, citing the chemicals’ potential effects on children’s health.
He did not accuse either company of wrongdoing.
Fruit of the Loom and Berkshire did not immediately respond to requests from Reuters for comment.
Montreal-based Gildan said it will co-operate with the investigation, and maintains strict manufacturing and sourcing standards to comply with industry guidelines related to harmful chemicals.
“We remain committed to providing safe, high-quality products for consumers,” it said in a statement to Reuters.
Gildan merged with Massachusetts-based HanesBrands Inc. last year in a $2.2-billion US deal.
Paxton said clothing manufacturers have turned increasingly to synthetic materials such as polyester, rayon and spandex to meet consumer demand for lower-priced products.
He said research shows that synthetic fabrics can shed microplastics, while chemicals including bisphenols, fluorine, parabens, phthalates and so-called “forever chemicals” used in textile manufacturing have been associated with cancer, hormone disruption, infertility and other health concerns.
“Forever chemicals” are also known as PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
“We must protect our children who cannot yet protect themselves,” Paxton said in a news release.
“This includes making sure that the necessities parents rely on are free from toxic chemicals and do not harm the health of kids.”
The attorney general announced a similar probe in April into whether Vancouver-based Lululemon Athletica activewear contained “forever chemicals,” which do not break down easily in nature.
Paxton, a Republican, is running for a U.S. Senate seat against Democrat James Talarico and trailing in most polls.
The race is among the country’s most closely watched in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Canada is one step closer to moving a large swath of PFAS — a class of thousands of chemicals used in a wide range of products from food containers to clothing — to the country’s official list of toxic substances.
