Lee · Stain-Resistant Professional Workwear
Lee Men's 112361941 All Purpose Long Sleeve Shirt
Basic cotton shirt, lower concern. No water-repellent coating treatment apparent.
Standard Lee cotton long sleeve shirt with no disclosed water resistance or stain treatment. Bare cotton presents lower PFAS risk than treated apparel, though no third-party verification available.
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Material
cotton/cotton blend long sleeve shirt
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is a cotton or cotton-blend long sleeve shirt, meaning the fiber base is cellulose rather than synthetic polymer. Cotton itself does not leach harmful chemicals during wear or washing. The hazard profile depends entirely on dyes, finishes, and any chemical treatments applied during manufacturing. Lee does not publicly disclose use of chemical-intensive finishes (such as soil-release or wrinkle-resistance treatments) for this basic all-purpose model, suggesting a relatively simple production process.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lee is a major US denim and workwear manufacturer owned by Kontoor Brands. The company has not published detailed chemical disclosure statements or restricted substance lists comparable to leading sustainable brands. No major product recalls or chemical contamination incidents are on record for Lee apparel. The brand's silence on chemical safety is typical of mainstream apparel manufacturers, indicating neither commitment nor demonstrated problem.
How it compares in its category
A basic cotton long sleeve shirt from Lee sits in the mainstream commodity category. It offers lower risk than fashion-fast items (which often use more aggressive dyes and finishes) but lacks the transparency and third-party certification of brands like Patagonia or Allbirds. For everyday workwear and casual wear, this product is unremarkable in terms of chemical exposure relative to typical retail alternatives.
If you buy it
Wash before first wear to remove residual dye and finishes. Use standard detergent and warm water; no special handling is required. Avoid prolonged exposure to high heat (tumble dry low or air dry to extend life). Replace when fabric thins, seams fray, or color fades noticeably, typically after 2-3 years of regular wear. No unusual storage precautions needed.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Azo dyes and dye residues
Cotton shirts are routinely dyed with synthetic dyes; some azo dyes can release aromatic amines if improperly manufactured or finished. Lee does not publicly certify azo dye restriction compliance for this product. Initial wash typically removes loose dye particles and minimizes this risk substantially.
Formaldehyde-based finishing resins
Wrinkle-resist or durable-press finishes commonly use formaldehyde resins, though this basic all-purpose shirt shows no marketing claims for such treatments. If present, formaldehyde outgasses during manufacture and washing; residual exposure via skin contact is generally low after one wash cycle.
Heavy metals in pigments
No recalls or public reports of cadmium, lead, or other heavy metals in Lee apparel. Industry-standard dye chemistry for mass-market cotton does not typically incorporate these metals, though independent testing would be required to confirm absence.
Antimony in polyester (if blend)
If this shirt contains polyester content, antimony trioxide may be present as a catalyst residue. Lee does not disclose polyester antimony management. Skin absorption from apparel is considered negligible under normal wear; risk is primarily occupational (manufacturing).
Microfiber shedding
All cotton and cotton-blend shirts shed fibers during washing and wear. This is a physical fragmentation issue rather than a chemical hazard, but contributes to microplastic pollution. Washing in a mesh bag reduces shedding by approximately 50 percent.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More stain-resistant professional workwear 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.