ORGANIC FASHION - Get into it!
clothes | ecowear | English | industry | sustainable fashion
It is said that allergic contact dermatitis from textile resins has been greatly under-diagnosed.1 Resins carrying formaldehyde which can be responsible for skin irritations are frequently found in wrinkle-resistant products. While this in itself is disturbing, the direct effects you experience from these chemicals are insignificant compared to the damage inflicted on the environment, or the health risks assumed by workers in the textile industry.
Brazil’s water quality has been directly impacted by the inappropriate disposal of dyes, and studies have been conducted proving that toxic metabolites are produced in reaction to waste water contamination.2 While cotton is usually perceived to be a natural and environmentally friendly material for textiles, the truth is that in developing countries 50% of the agricultural pesticides are used for cotton fields. Sadly, these countries are the ones that do not have the infrastructure in place to minimize the effects that these pollutants have on the environment and the workers handling them. This results in chronic illnesses for people, and devastating effects on wildlife. The US is well developed, and still the cancer rates in cotton producing states are significantly greater than those of neighboring states.3 Even more fodder for thought is that organically produced textiles receive the same trade benefits as those of organically grown food, and sweatshop practices are rarely employed in the eco-fashion world. The best way to make sure you’re doing the best you can for the environment and for people is to catch the wave of eco-fashion.
“Many of us are becoming alarmed at the health threat presented by chemicals in our food. I feel that we should also be greatly concerned by the overuse of chemicals in the growing and processing of crops like cotton,� says Linda Row from London based fashion company Eco Clothworks. “The plight of individuals who make our clothes worldwide is apalling. Many of these workers do not earn enough to cover their living expenses, and they always bear the burden of any pressure exerted by the retailer for cheaper goods. Their work is boring and repetitive, and studies conducted in the USA show a possible link between Alzheimer’s disease and prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation from industrial sewing machines.� While organic cotton farming may clearly seem like the way to go with lower input costs and higher sale price, the future of organic cotton farmers relies on the end consumer.
The situation is similar to that of the automotive industry. Most can agree that hybrid or alternative energy cars are the best choice, but how many consumers are rushing to buy one? To that same effect, the environmentally conscious and fashion-forward will have to be convinced not only to accept organic fashion but also the price tag that comes with it. Still, the future looks bright. Almost $1.1 billion in organic cotton products were bought in 2006, nearly double the amount of the previous year. Sales worth $2.6 billion are predicted by 2008.4 These statistics offer much encouragement to developing countries such as Brazil, who are fast realizing the growing niche of organic cotton production and the opportunity it offers to farmers.
So what can you do? You help old ladies cross the street, you volunteer at the local food bank, and you carpool to work. Why not consider organic fashion? Who would have guessed that someday even the jeans you choose to slide into on Sunday morning (or afternoon) could mean a better life for someone… and a healthier world for all of us.
For some companies that produce organic clothing, try:
Wholesum Sustainable and Organic Clothing
EDUN
Earth Speaks
Inhabitat
Lindsey Pelliccia
Contributing Writer to BRAMFSA
1 Diagnosis and Treatment of Dermatitis due to Formaldehyde Resins in Clothing (www.MedScape.com)
2 Decolorization of reactive azo dyes by Cunninghamella elegans UCP 542 under co-metabolic conditions (www.ScienceDirect.com)
3 Organic Foodee
4 Cotton: the moral fibre of going organic
For more articles on eco/sustainable fashion click here
“Organic.� What was once a term most frequently applied to your veggies at the supermarket now applies to a more exciting part of your life… Fashion! While organic fashion might seem like a trend only sought by the affluent granola-eaters, there are many reasons why this concept in fashion should be important to everyone. Have you ever considered that the same harsh chemicals you try to avoid while buying organic products are kin to the treatments used in cotton cultivation, dyeing, and finishing?
It is said that allergic contact dermatitis from textile resins has been greatly under-diagnosed.1 Resins carrying formaldehyde which can be responsible for skin irritations are frequently found in wrinkle-resistant products. While this in itself is disturbing, the direct effects you experience from these chemicals are insignificant compared to the damage inflicted on the environment, or the health risks assumed by workers in the textile industry.
Brazil’s water quality has been directly impacted by the inappropriate disposal of dyes, and studies have been conducted proving that toxic metabolites are produced in reaction to waste water contamination.2 While cotton is usually perceived to be a natural and environmentally friendly material for textiles, the truth is that in developing countries 50% of the agricultural pesticides are used for cotton fields. Sadly, these countries are the ones that do not have the infrastructure in place to minimize the effects that these pollutants have on the environment and the workers handling them. This results in chronic illnesses for people, and devastating effects on wildlife. The US is well developed, and still the cancer rates in cotton producing states are significantly greater than those of neighboring states.3 Even more fodder for thought is that organically produced textiles receive the same trade benefits as those of organically grown food, and sweatshop practices are rarely employed in the eco-fashion world. The best way to make sure you’re doing the best you can for the environment and for people is to catch the wave of eco-fashion.
“Many of us are becoming alarmed at the health threat presented by chemicals in our food. I feel that we should also be greatly concerned by the overuse of chemicals in the growing and processing of crops like cotton,� says Linda Row from London based fashion company Eco Clothworks. “The plight of individuals who make our clothes worldwide is apalling. Many of these workers do not earn enough to cover their living expenses, and they always bear the burden of any pressure exerted by the retailer for cheaper goods. Their work is boring and repetitive, and studies conducted in the USA show a possible link between Alzheimer’s disease and prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation from industrial sewing machines.� While organic cotton farming may clearly seem like the way to go with lower input costs and higher sale price, the future of organic cotton farmers relies on the end consumer.
The situation is similar to that of the automotive industry. Most can agree that hybrid or alternative energy cars are the best choice, but how many consumers are rushing to buy one? To that same effect, the environmentally conscious and fashion-forward will have to be convinced not only to accept organic fashion but also the price tag that comes with it. Still, the future looks bright. Almost $1.1 billion in organic cotton products were bought in 2006, nearly double the amount of the previous year. Sales worth $2.6 billion are predicted by 2008.4 These statistics offer much encouragement to developing countries such as Brazil, who are fast realizing the growing niche of organic cotton production and the opportunity it offers to farmers.
So what can you do? You help old ladies cross the street, you volunteer at the local food bank, and you carpool to work. Why not consider organic fashion? Who would have guessed that someday even the jeans you choose to slide into on Sunday morning (or afternoon) could mean a better life for someone… and a healthier world for all of us.
Wholesum Sustainable and Organic Clothing
EDUN
Earth Speaks
Inhabitat
Lindsey Pelliccia
Contributing Writer to BRAMFSA
1 Diagnosis and Treatment of Dermatitis due to Formaldehyde Resins in Clothing (www.MedScape.com)
2 Decolorization of reactive azo dyes by Cunninghamella elegans UCP 542 under co-metabolic conditions (www.ScienceDirect.com)
3 Organic Foodee
4 Cotton: the moral fibre of going organic
For more articles on eco/sustainable fashion click here
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