New research shows that ‘breathing mittens’ made from fabric from plastic are much more breathably than those that are made from recycled fabrics.
The study by the University of North Carolina found that “breathability” garments made from synthetic materials were 10 to 25 percent less breathable.
The University of Maryland study found “breatheable” garments that were made from paper were 10-30 percent less.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo also found that plastic bags made from a variety of recycled materials were “bafflingly” breathable compared to those made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is often used to make insulation in buildings and cars.
The scientists also found “extremely high” and “extreme” breathability for fabrics made from PET and polyethyl, respectively.
The research team said these fabrics are more likely to get “sweated off,” but are more difficult to remove.
But the breathability is just one of the studies on breathability.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is studying the “use of breathable fabrics” and has issued warnings on the subject, including warning consumers to use “bacteria-free” garments when purchasing products made from fabrics that come from the petrochemical process.
The American Chemical Society is the world’s largest scientific society and advances the art and science of chemistry.
