Thinx, Inc. makes various styles of underwear for women that are meant to absorb menstrual fluid and remove the need for tampons or pads. But the complaint for this class action alleges that the underwear products contain polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and silver nanoparticles and that these are hazardous to women’s bodies and the environment.
The class for this action is all persons living in the US who bought Thinx underwear, during the maximum period permitted by law. A Florida subclass has also been proposed, for those in the above class who live in Florida.
The Thinx underwear at issue in this case include the following styles:
- Cotton Brief
- Cotton Bikini
- Cotton Thong
- Sport
- Hiphugger
- Hi-Waist
- Boyshort
- French Cut
- Cheeky
- Thong
The complaint alleges that a desire for alternative menstrual products has been driven by the 18-34 age group, which has both environmental and health concerns. The underwear products can be worn with or in place of tampons or other products. Thinx’s advertising, the complaint claims, leads women to think that the underwear products are safe, healthy, and sustainable.
The complaint quotes a statement from the company’s website as saying, “At its core, Thinx Inc. was founded to provide safe, comfortable, and sustainable options… Customer safety is important to us, and so is your trust. That’s why we’ll always be transparent about how our products are made.” The company also claims to “uphold the highest standards of product safety.”
In its website FAQ, as quoted by the complaint, the question “Are Thinx free of harmful chemicals?” is answered by, “Absolutely! We take customer health and safety seriously. … We’re proud to say that third[-]party testing has never revealed any harmful chemical levels in Thinx Inc. products.”
However, the complaint alleges that the underwear products are not safe and contain “multiple polyfluoroalkyl substances (‘PFAS’) and silver nanoparticles, which are a safety hazard to the female body and the environment.”
It claims that “independent testing from a third-party lab found short-chain PFAS chemicals in Thinx underwear at material and above[-]trace amounts.” Why would these chemicals be used? The complaint claims, “PFAS chemical treatments are typically used on textiles in order to make them water repellant and/or stain resistant…” It adds, “Based on information and belief, Thinx uses PFAS chemicals to enhance the performance of the underwear…”
PFAS chemicals are persistent in nature and in the body, and the complaint alleges they have been associated with certain negative health effects, including possibly cancer.
While Thinx admits to using silver and silver copper compounds, its website claims, “These compounds stay on the surface of the underwear and don’t travel into your body.” But the complaint alleges, “Silver nanoparticles present a particular risk to the female body, especially when they are present in period products.”
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Thinx Period Underwear Contains Harmful Substances Complaint
May 25, 2022
Thinx, Inc. makes various styles of underwear for women that are meant to absorb menstrual fluid and remove the need for tampons or pads. But the complaint for this class action alleges that the underwear products contain polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and silver nanoparticles and that these are hazardous to women’s bodies and the environment.
Thinx Period Underwear Contains Harmful Substances ComplaintCase Event History
Thinx Period Underwear Contains Harmful Substances Complaint
May 25, 2022
Thinx, Inc. makes various styles of underwear for women that are meant to absorb menstrual fluid and remove the need for tampons or pads. But the complaint for this class action alleges that the underwear products contain polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and silver nanoparticles and that these are hazardous to women’s bodies and the environment.
Thinx Period Underwear Contains Harmful Substances Complaint