The clothes you wear when you work out may do you more harm than helping you to stay healthy as you hit the gym. This is because research has revealed alarming levels of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound linked to significant health risks in several sports wear, including sports bra, leggings, and athletic wear. The Center for Environmental Health (CEH), which is a nonprofit consumer advocacy group has brought these concerns to light, and have raised awareness about the potential danger and damage these sports wear can cause because of the common chemicals used.

What is BPA? Is it concerning?

Bisphenol A, or BPA is a chemical that is used to make plastics and resins. It is also used in certain fabrics and is known for its endocrine-disrupting properties, which can also interfere with one's hormonal balance. There have been studies, including a 2019 study titled The adverse health effects of bisphenol A and related toxicity mechanisms that have linked BPA exposure to various health problems, including asthma, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.

Many of research which have been conducted focus on the ingestion, which can happen when you store food in BPA-lined containers. Among them, some of the more recent studies show that skin absorption is also a pathway. This means when you are handling receipts which are printed on thermal paper, or wear BPA-containing fabrics, the chemical can seep through your skin and enter your bloodstream.

Though it is also true that BPA is exposed from the body within days, however, continuous exposure from multiple sources can be concerning.

Sports Wear and the harm it may cause you

CEH also tested popular athletic wear in October 2023 and found BPA levels were exceeding California's safety standards by as much as 22 times.

Testing also showed that top brands contained up to 40 times the permissible limit of BPA.

What do the laws say?

As far as laws are concerned, under California's Proposition 65, the maximum allowable dose for BPA exposure via skin is 3 micrograms per day. While this law is among the strictest in the United States, it highlights a broader issue of chemical safety in consumer products nationwide.

Ana Soto, an immunologist with decades of research on BPA, even low doses of dermal and oral exposure can combine to create a significant health risk. She also warned that prolonged exposure through fabric, especially when you are exercising, as your pores are open and sweat is present, can in fact, amplify these effects.

How does BPA affect your health?

BPA can disrupt your body's endocrine system, which is a network of glands and organs that produce hormones that control many bodily functions. These include growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction, to name a few. BPA can mimic natural hormones like estrogen and interfere in those bodily functions.

Studies also link it with obesity and diabetes, respiratory issues, especially asthma risk in school-aged children, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer risks.

How can you be safe?

There are certain steps you can follow to protect yourself:

• Avoid wearing BPA-lined sports-wear
• Change immediately after your workout
• Do not wear sports-wear for an elongated period

Lemon water may help reduce the risk of certain types of kidney stones, particularly calcium oxalate stones, but it is not a guaranteed preventive remedy. Lemons contain citrate, a naturally occurring substance that can bind with calcium in urine and help inhibit the formation and growth of some kidney stones.

Drinking lemon water can also support prevention by encouraging greater fluid intake. Adequate hydration increases urine volume, diluting substances such as calcium and oxalate that can crystallise and form stones. However, the benefit depends on the amount consumed, individual urinary chemistry and the type of stone a person is prone to developing.

What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones?

Common symptoms of kidney stones include severe pain in the back or flanks that may radiate to the groin, pain while urinating, blood in the urine, nausea and vomiting. Some small stones may pass without causing noticeable symptoms, while larger stones can obstruct the urinary tract and cause significant pain.

If kidney stone symptoms occur alongside fever, chills or difficulty passing urine, seek urgent medical attention. These symptoms may indicate an obstruction or infection that requires prompt treatment. A healthcare professional may recommend urine tests, blood tests or imaging to determine the stone's size and location.

How Much Lemon Water Should You Drink?

Also read: Recurring UTIs In West Bengal Toddler Reveal Rare Metabolic Disorder - Cystinuria; Here's What Parents Should Know

It is important to understand that lemon water is not a substitute for medical treatment or personalised dietary advice. Adding lemon to water without excessive sugar and salt is a practical option, but commercially prepared lemon drinks may contain added sugar, which is best limited. Lemon water may also aggravate acidity or heartburn in some individuals.

There is no universally established amount of lemon water that guarantees kidney stone prevention. The priority is to drink enough fluids to maintain adequate urine output, with individual requirements varying according to climate, physical activity and medical conditions. People who have been advised to restrict fluids because of kidney or heart conditions should follow their healthcare professional's recommendations rather than increasing their intake independently.

Who Should Take Extra Precautions?

People with a history of recurrent kidney stones should consult a healthcare professional to identify the stone type and understand their specific risk factors. Depending on the findings, they may need tailored fluid intake, dietary modifications or medication. A 24-hour urine test may also help identify substances that contribute to stone formation and guide preventive measures.

Adequate water intake remains the cornerstone of kidney stone prevention, while lemon water can be a useful addition to a balanced hydration routine. However, its effectiveness varies from person to person, and those at high risk of recurrence may need more targeted preventive strategies.

Inputs by Dr. Anupam Roy, Additional Director - Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, Aakash Healthcare Multi-Speciality Hospital, Dwarka

A 43-year-old mother from Northern Ireland got diagnosed with an exceptionally rare cancer after months of pain, continual bleeding and abdominal swelling. She said that these symptoms were initially and inaccurately attributed to perimenopause, anxiety and constipation.

Nicola Crymble’s symptoms started in 2024 after she had a copper intrauterine device (IUD) inserted. The bleeding and pain became so severe that she had the device removed while she was in Kenya doing mission work. “I was constantly bleeding, there was so much pain,” Crymble said.

However, her symptoms persisted even after she returned home. She said doctors initially suggested that perimenopause and anxiety could explain what she was experiencing.

By December 2024, Crymble had noticed a lump in her abdomen. It continued to grow, making everyday activities challenging. She said people even thought she was pregnant because of the swelling. She eventually went to hospital and underwent scans, which revealed a mass near her cervix. Doctors initially thought it might be a cyst.

Crymble Got Diagnosed With FATWO, A Rare Cancer

Also read: Dr Rachna Shroff: Indian-American Cancer Researcher Who Turned Her Diagnosis Into Advocacy

Crymble underwent major surgery in February 2025 to remove the tumour. She also chose to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed during the procedure. A month later, she received the diagnosis that she had female adnexal tumour of probable Wolffian origin, commonly known as FATWO.

The tumour is believed to develop from remnants of the Wolffian duct, an embryonic structure involved in the development of the reproductive and urinary systems. Although these structures usually regress during female development, residual tissue can sometimes pave the way for tumour growth.

FATWO is an exceptionally rare form of cancer. There are only around 150 documented cases recorded worldwide. While many FATWO tumours do not metastatize, some can behave aggressively. In Crymble’s case, the cancer later spread to her liver and vaginal vault, the upper part of the vaginal canal.

She experienced intense pain beneath her ribs before a scan revealed that the cancer had spread. Further surgery was ruled out because the tumour growths were too close to other organs.

Chemotherapy As Surgery Was Not An Option

With surgery no longer an option, Crymble and her doctors decided to proceed with chemotherapy. She began treatment on October 13, 2026, and is expected to undergo six rounds, one every three weeks.

The family is also looking for specialist advice because there is limited information available about the rare disease and the best way to treat it. Her husband, Andrew Crymble, said doctors had little experience with the condition.

“They've never seen it before, they don't know how to treat it,” he said, explaining why the family decided to share her story publicly. They hope it will reach researchers or doctors who may have more information about FATWO.

Crymble has stopped working and has found it difficult to maintain her usual family routines while undergoing treatment. The family is also seeking financial support after discovering that their life insurance coverage will not cover the treatment.

Also read: Amgen & AstraZeneca's New Treatment Combination Cuts Advanced Lung Cancer Death Risk By 58% In Trial

Symptoms That Warrant Immediate Attention

Perimenopause can cause changes in menstrual patterns, like irregular periods. But unexplained bleeding, stubborn abdominal pain, lump or unusual swelling should not automatically be attributed to hormonal changes without seeking medical intervention.

These symptoms can occur due to many causes, and they do not necessarily indicate cancer. But worsening or unusual symptoms demand medical assessment, especially when they do not improve or when new symptoms develop.

The effects of heatwaves, air pollution, noise and overall climate change may extend beyond physical health. According to a new report by the Earth–Brain–Health Commission published in Nature Mental Health recently, they can have a significant impact on mood, cognitive function and overall psychological wellbeing.

The commission warns that environmental changes are altering the conditions in which people live. It also talks about consequences for brain health and mental wellbeing. It also calls for mental health to become a consideration in climate policy, urban planning and environmental decision making, rather than being treated only after symptoms develop.

The findings are relevant to low and middle-income countries, where exposure to environmental hazards can overlap with greater socioeconomic problems like poverty and limited access to healthcare.

“Heat and heatwaves, air and noise pollution, extreme weather and compound events, urbanization, and the loss of green and blue spaces are associated with depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and impaired emotional and behavioral functioning,” the commission states.

Effects Of Environmental Conditions On Brain

Also read: Lancet Study Finds Air Pollution & Chemical Exposures Could Add To South Asia's Diabetes & Heart Disease Burden

From biological changes like neuroinflammation, disruption of hormones and the body's internal clock to psychological stress and due to isolation and displacement, the commission identifies several ways through which environmental conditions may impact mental health.

Heat exposure is one of the gravest concerns in current times. Heatwaves can disrupt sleep and contribute to physiological stress, while air pollution can lead to cognitive decline. Noise pollution and stressful urban environments may fuel anxiety and depression.

These exposures are compounded by people’s standard of living. A person living in poorly ventilated housing, for example, may face heat, air pollution, financial hardship and limited access to healthcare at the same time. These combined problems can be difficult to measure by studying each exposure separately.

Who Is At Risk?

Also read: Rising AQI In Delhi-NCR: Doctors Warn Of Lung And Heart Risks As Pollution Builds

Children, older adults, people with disabilities and marginalised communities may face greater exposure to environmental hazards while having fewer resources and help to cope with them.

The commission also highlights low and middle-income countries and small island developing states. These populations may face significant environmental risks but remain underrepresented in research on climate change and mental health.

Dr Vivek Benegal, senior professor of psychiatry and former head of department at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, is among the commission's members. He said NIMHANS has been examining how climate change affects the human brain.

Benegal also pointed to a 2023 study conducted by researchers from NIMHANS and King's College London. The study found that even low levels of arsenic exposure, below World Health Organization thresholds, were associated with changes in brain structure and impaired cognitive abilities among children, adolescents and young adults.

Commission's Recommendations

The report recommends that governments should incorporate brain and mental health measures into environmental policies. Its recommendations include monitoring environmental exposures, identifying risks early in life, and designing healthier urban environments.

“The principal obstacles to action are organisational and financial rather than evidential,” the commission observes, noting that research cohorts, Earth-observation systems and environmental governance tools already exist but are often maintained separately.