PFAS in Football Helmets: Safe Padding and Coating

If you’ve been swapping out cookware and water filters to cut PFAS exposure at home, football helmets probably aren’t top of mind. But if your kid plays, they should be. PFAS don’t break down in the body, so every unnecessary source of exposure adds up over time, and a sweaty helmet worn for hours is more contact than most parents expect.

For more on PFAS-free living, see our guide to PFAS free menstrual products and top PFAS free water filters.

Why PFAS in Football Helmet Padding Is a Health Concern

PFAS have been linked to hormone disruption, elevated cholesterol, weakened immune response, and increased cancer risk at certain exposure levels. A study from environmental health researchers found measurable PFAS in the blood of people with ordinary household exposures alone. Since these chemicals never break down, each dose just stacks on top of the last. That matters more for kids and pregnant women, whose bodies are still developing.

Helmets can contain PFAS in several places: the moisture-wicking liner fabric, the foam padding treated for water resistance, and the exterior clear coat or finish. Youth athletes wear helmets for hours at a time, often sweating, which can increase the rate of chemical transfer from treated materials to skin.

What to Look for When Shopping for Football Helmets

Marketing claims won’t tell you much here. Labels don’t have to disclose PFAS, so you need to dig a little deeper. Third-party certifications like OEKO-TEX Standard 100 or bluesign explicitly restrict PFAS, so those are worth looking for. If a product says “water-repellent” or “stain-guard,” treat that as a red flag unless the brand confirms they use a fluorine-free treatment. The PFAS Free Life Database keeps an updated list of verified clean products.

When evaluating football helmets specifically:

• Ask the manufacturer whether the helmet liner or padding uses any fluorinated DWR (durable water repellent) treatment
• Look for helmets with removable, washable padding, so you can reduce chemical buildup over time
• Polycarbonate shells are PFAS-free by nature; the concern is primarily in soft components like foam and fabric liners

Top PFAS-Free Football Helmet Options to Try

You have more options than you might think. When shopping for football helmets, look for:

1. Helmets with removable comfort pads you can wash regularly to reduce chemical buildup
2. Brands that publish their material policies and confirm fluorine-free padding treatments
3. Helmet liners made from untreated cotton or OEKO-TEX certified fabrics

The Schutt Youth Vengeance A11 2.0 Football Helmet is a solid option. Its comfort pads are standard athletic foam rather than PFAS-treated fabric, and the polycarbonate shell is naturally free of fluorinated coatings. The pads are removable, which also helps with regular washing.

Practical Steps to Minimize PFAS Exposure from Football Gear

You don’t have to fix everything at once. Start with the biggest sources of exposure, like cookware, drinking water, and food packaging, then work outward. For football helmets specifically:

• Wash removable helmet liners and chin straps regularly in warm water with a gentle, unscented detergent
• Let helmets air out between practices instead of sealing them in equipment bags
• Replace helmet padding as it wears out, choosing pads from brands with published chemical policies
• Consider adding a washable cotton skull cap under the helmet to create a barrier between treated materials and skin
• Use our guide to PFAS free food storage bags for the kitchen
• Check cookware safety in our PFAS free cookware guide

This stuff takes time, and nobody gets it all right at once. The PFAS Free Life Database is a good place to check products as you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my football helmet contains PFAS?

Without laboratory testing, it can be difficult to know for certain. Watch for marketing terms like “moisture-wicking,” “water-repellent,” or “stain-guard” on the helmet liner or padding, which often signal PFAS treatments. Look for certifications like OEKO-TEX Standard 100 or bluesign that prohibit PFAS. You can also contact the manufacturer directly and ask whether any fluorinated treatments are used in the helmet’s soft components. The PFAS Free Life Database at database.pfasfreelife.com lists verified clean products.

Do all football helmets contain PFAS?

No, not all football helmets contain PFAS. The hard polycarbonate shell is naturally PFAS-free. The concern is with soft components like foam padding, moisture-wicking liners, and chin strap covers that may use fluorinated DWR treatments. The safest approach is to look for helmets with removable padding made from untreated materials, or to contact the manufacturer directly to ask about their chemical policy.

Can I test my home for PFAS contamination?

Yes. You can test your drinking water for PFAS using certified laboratory testing services or at-home kits from companies like SimpleLab. For other types of exposure, from products or household dust, testing is more complex, but starting with your water is the most impactful first step. Your state health department may also offer resources or low-cost testing programs.

*Research reference: Environmental Health Perspectives 2019

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