The cotton symbol is often perceived as a wholesome symbol. After all, what could be more natural and good than to wear soft cotton clothes? But there is a side of the cotton industry that many people are not aware of.
Growing Cotton With The Help Of Toxic Chemicals- Not An Eco Friendly Situation
The problem starts with industrialized farms mass producing a few varieties of cotton(though hundreds exist). Variety is important because each variety has its own weakness and if only one kind is grown and disease strikes or pests invade, the whole crop is lost. Farmers attempt to prevent such a loss by heavily treating crops with dangerous, cancer causing chemicals in an effort to keep pests and disease at bay. The resulting product is cotton saturated with pesticides, herbicide, fungicides, and the like. To illustrate just how heavily treated cotton crops are, consider this: Cotton crops take up only 2.4% of the world's agricultural acreage, but use 25% of the world's pesticides. This cotton eventually becomes clothes, blankets, and household items. And the cotton oil is often used in potato chips,crackers, and other processed foods. Raw cotton seed is often fed to livestock, affecting people indirectly who eat meat and dairy products. Then, there is the issue of direct pollution to the environment, especially since many of these chemicals are sprayed on the crops aerially. Also, farm workers (sometimes women and even children) often have health problems, as they are exposed to these chemicals excessively.
More Chemicals Added Before Clothes Make It To The Rack- Baby Clothes No Exception
Cotton clothing often has various chemicals applied to it during production, each having its own purpose. For instance, formaldehyde is often applied to clothing that has to be shipped long distances as a mildew preventative. And an array of additional chemicals can be added during the process of clothing manufacturing to accomplish things such as shrink reduction, fire proofing, and wrinkle reduction. These chemicals can potentially cause health problems to the person wearing the affected clothing.
To Buy Organic Clothing, or Not
The consumer who chooses to buy organic cotton clothing need not worry about their clothing affecting their health in an adverse way. Organically grown cotton is not treated with dangerous pesticides and herbicides. The organic farmer implements natural disease and pest control methods such as crop rotation, mulching, weeding by hand, and using beneficial insects and plants to combat crop pests.
Making Your Clothes As Clean and Healthy as Possible
If you purchase clothes or bedding that is not organic, it is very important to wash them thoroughly before using. Lesstoxicguide.ca suggests soaking affected merchandise overnight in a tub of water containing the following mixture to reduce chemical residues and smells: 1/2 to 1 cup vinegar, 1/2 – 1 cup pickling salt, 1/4 – l cup baking soda.
Affordable, Natural, Cotton Organic Clothing
Organic clothing is often sold at high prices. However, there are some retailers that sell at more affordable prices than others. Overstock.com actually has a pretty extensive inventory of organic merchandise. Price comparison websites, such as Bizrate.com , let you choose the lowest price of the particular organic item you are looking for. Also, some of your local stores may carry organic choices- for instance Target carries organic sheets. When you buy organic merchandise that is offered for a fair price, you are sending the message that there is a demand for it. And if you don't find affordable organic choices in your favorite store, let the management know you would like to see them stock.
Sources
- "Do You Know What Toxic Chemicals Lurk in Your Clothing?" Organic Consumers Association. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. .
- Guide to Less Toxic Products. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. .
- "HowStuffWorks "Why do some clothing items have a tag saying to wash the item be"" Howstuffworks "Home and Garden" Web. 22 Feb. 2010. .
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Angel Chavis - Angel Chavis lives in NC with her husband, daughter, and various pets. She is a Christian, wife, homeschool mom, writer, student, and ...
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