But there could be something more toxic at work in such sports gear — harmful chemicals.
In a recent study posted by the Ecology Center, a non-profit organization based in Ann Arbor, researchers at HealthyStuff.org tested fan gear products for toxic chemicals.
The study examined 65 products from 19 universities for levels of known toxicants including lead, chlorine, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, bromine and tin.
Some of the chemicals have been known to cause health problems such as birth defects, learning impairment, developmental issues in children, reproductive problems and some types of cancer.
Of the 65 items tested, about 20 of them contained little or no hazardous chemicals, research director at the Ecology Center Jeff Gearhart said.
But this is not to lessen the amount of concern that should be allocated to the products found to contain toxicants.
The center purchased the MSU items they tested from Home Depot and Kroger in Michigan. They focused on purchasing products for testing from larger retailers, because of the bigger impact they have on the market.
Of the nine products tested from those two retailers, four of them had a high level of chemicals in them, according to the study.
Local Home Depot and Kroger managements declined to comment on the findings.
One product, an MSU cushion seat, tested positive for phthalate plasticizers can lead to breast cancer and cause birth defects. Phthalate plasticizers are banned in children’s products by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. However, the Michigan laws concerning such chemical levels make these products legal, as long as they aren’t for children, Gearhart said.
“We’re concerned about the cumulative effect of these chemicals,” Gearhart said. “We’re encouraging consumers to buy safer (alternatives to products).”
Education junior Alex Sekulovski said she would be concerned if products she had purchased contained such chemicals, but noted her budget would play a part in whether or not she would change her shopping patterns.
“Price plays a large factor ... if it was a significant jump in price (to buy an alternative), I would opt out,” Sekulovski said.
Ignoring the issue of high chemical levels in certain products is an example of not getting out in front of a problem, assistant manager of the Spartan Bookstore Mike Wylie said. He said his main concern would be confronting the manufacturer.
“My gut reaction would be to pull a product (off the shelf) until we had more information,” Wylie said.
The Ecology Center’s mission is to inform consumers of the chemicals present in the products they consume, allowing them to change the marketplace by opting for safer products.
