Lee · Stain-Resistant Professional Workwear
Lee Women's All Purpose Shirt
Basic cotton shirt, lower concern absent special finishes.
Standard all-purpose shirt with no visible water-repellent or stain-resistant treatment. Lee provides no PFAS disclosure, but untreated cotton poses lower risk than performance-treated apparel.
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Material
cotton/cotton blend, no stated treatment
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
Lee's All Purpose Shirt is described as a cotton or cotton-blend fabric with no stated water-resistant, stain-resistant, or wrinkle-free finishes on the label or product materials. Untreated cotton has minimal inherent chemical hazard; the risk profile depends entirely on dyes, finishing resins, and any post-manufacture treatments. No evidence suggests this garment uses industrial flame retardants, antimicrobial coatings, or special chemical finishes beyond standard dyeing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lee does not publicly disclose detailed chemical inventories, restricted substance lists, or third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or GOTS) for this basic shirt line. The brand has not faced major chemical safety recalls or documented controversies for this product type. Lee's parent company has faced broader sustainability criticism but not specific chemical hazard allegations tied to this garment category. No independent verification of formaldehyde resin, azo dye, or antimony levels is available.
How it compares in its category
Basic cotton/blend casual shirts occupy the lower end of chemical-treatment risk compared to performance wear (moisture-wicking synthetics with coatings) or heavily treated dress shirts (wrinkle-free resins). Lee's positioning as an 'all purpose' workwear item suggests minimal specialty finishing, placing it in the safer tier of untreated or conventionally dyed cotton apparel. Certified organic or OEKO-TEX certified cotton shirts offer documented hazard reduction but at higher cost.
If you buy it
Wash before first wear to reduce loose dyes and any residual sizing or dust from manufacturing. Warm water with standard detergent is adequate; no special handling required. Inspect seams and fabric after repeated washing for pilling or degradation, which may indicate lower thread quality but not a safety trigger. Replacement is a style/wear issue, not a chemical safety concern, with typical durability of 2-3 years for casual wear.
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 colorant allergens
Cotton shirts rely on textile dyes; Lee does not disclose whether azo dyes (which can release aromatic amines) or non-azo alternatives are used. Untreated initial washing reduces loose dye exposure. Individual sensitivity varies; skin irritation is rare but possible in sensitized persons.
Formaldehyde-releasing resins in finishing
No evidence that this casual shirt uses formaldehyde-based wrinkle-free or crease-set resins. Standard cotton dyeing and finishing for workwear typically avoid such treatments, but Lee provides no written material guarantee of this.
Heavy metals in pigments
No documented recalls or test results indicating lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Lee shirt dyes. Risk is lower for basic cotton vs. heavily pigmented synthetic fabrics, but no third-party verification is available.
Antimony in polyester components
If this is a cotton-polyester blend rather than 100 percent cotton, polyester fibers may contain antimony oxide as a catalyst residue. Lee does not disclose fiber blend percentages or antimony levels. Risk is present but not documented as a concern for casual wear garments.
Excess sizing or finishes retained after manufacture
Cotton shirts may retain starch, oil, or fabric finish from the mill. Initial washing removes most; any remaining residue is unlikely to pose hazard but may cause mild irritation in sensitive skin. Not a documented safety issue for Lee specifically.
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.