Conventional Cotton Exposes You to Toxic Chemicals - Here Are Just A Few
Why there are some serious health concerns tied to conventional cotton manufacturing and why organic cotton is healthier.
Conventional Cotton Exposes You to Toxic Chemicals
“You are what you eat” is a familiar phrase we all know and understand. We understand that when we consume something it is taken into us and affects our bodies-for example if we feel tired, we may drink a cup of coffee and the caffeine helps to perk us up, just like a candy bar that gives us a sugar rush.
We also understand how things used on our bodies can also be taken in through our skin and affect us, for example, how an ointment like Tiger Balm is absorbed into the body and helps to relieve inflammation.
But how much have you thought about what touches your skin regularly like your clothing, bedsheets, and towels? There is a lot of buzz about the best organic sheets and organic cotton bath towels, but how much does “organic” matter?
As a matter of fact, it matters a lot. Cotton is a dominant fiber in apparel and home textile use, and a growing number of consumers are choosing organic. You may wonder, what is driving this?
Considering that per the Organic Center, conventional cotton farming uses over “68 million pounds of pesticides” and is the “third-largest consumer of pesticides in the United States”, concern about the use of these chemicals and their effects is part of that drive that is leading consumers to choose organic.
In a lot of situations, the method of application of these chemical pesticides is through the air, which means they can drift and be carried by the wind and inhaled by those living and working on the cotton farms and also those living nearby.
These chemicals can potentially cause health problems ranging from rashes to cancer. Studies have shown a connection to those working on conventional cotton farms and health issues such as asthma and cancer.
The Environment Justice Foundation (EJF) has published a summary of “The Deadly Chemicals in Cotton” that is both informative and sobering. On it, they list things like:
Aldicarb, which can leave residue in fibers. It's a dangerous insecticide and has several serious side effects which include nausea, excessive sweating, vomiting, and skin rashes.
Parathion is an insecticide and pesticide used in the production of cotton and is extremely toxic. Side effects include vomiting, depression, nausea, blurry vision, convulsions, respiratory problems, and skin rashes.
Malathion can cause skin and scalp irritation, if it gets in the eyes it can cause pinkeye. Another possible side effects chemical burns if in contact with the skin.
Pendimethalin can cause eye, throat, nose, and skin irritation. It needs to be handled as a possible carcinogen and can cause vomiting, dizziness, skin allergies, and headaches.
Chemical use on cotton continues through harvesting and into the manufacturing phase. To help with harvesting and make the picking easier, herbicides are used to strip the plants of their leaves. To get cotton into its final textile stage, more chemicals are involved in processes like bleaching straightening, dyeing, sizing, and so on.
The textile manufacturing process also has several washings where detergents and softeners are applied. Some of these can’t be totally removed from the final product and leave a residue. Examples of chemicals used in these processes include ammonium sulfate, hydrochloric acid, benzidine, and oxalic acid.
Benzidine is often used in the processing and dying cotton and it has a wide range of side effects including bladder cancer, respiration problems, and major skin irritation.
Ammonium Sulfate is a colorless to white powdered solid. It is toxic by ingestion. When heated to high temperatures, it may release toxic sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide fumes.
Hydrochloric Acid can damage mucous membranes, skin, and eyes. Short term exposure by breathing it in can cause respiratory tract, nose, and eye, irritation. Pulmonary edema and inflammation have also been linked to this. Oral exposure can cause mucous membrane, stomach, and esophagus damage, and contact with the skin can cause ulceration, severe burns, and scarring. Long-term exposure has been linked as a cause of chronic bronchitis, gastritis, photosensitization, and dermatitis in laborers. Prolonged exposure to smaller amounts may also cause dental discoloration and erosion.
Oxalic Acid can cause burns and blisters at the point of contact, abdominal pain, collapse, mouth pain, seizures, shock, vomiting, and tremors.
Any residues of these can affect people with chemical sensitivities or allergies, causing things like hives. One can develop allergic contact dermatitis after repeated allergen exposure to things like the chemicals in dyes.
For reasons like these, one should switch to GOTS certified organic cotton for products used on babies, small children, or those with skin sensitivities. Organic cotton muslin wraps, for example, are an ideal choice for infants.
An ongoing agricultural health study funded by the National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences with over 89,000 farming community participants shows heart and incidence of cancer including prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease, thyroid disease, asthma, and diabetes.
Organically grown cotton presents none of the issues associated with conventionally grown cotton. If you choose organic cotton with the GOTS certification label, you can be sure that the entire process from the farm to the final product is truly organic and non-toxic.
The use of strictly regulated growing, processing, and manufacturing organic cotton per GOTS certification standards helps protect people and the planet from toxic chemical pollutants. Organic cotton production offers an economically workable solution to most of the health and environmental consequences that go with pesticide-intensive cotton production.
Chemical pesticides and GMO seeds are not used and most harvesting is done by hand. Crops are rotated to keep the soil healthy, weeds are pulled by hand or hoed. Beneficial insects and trap crops are used to fight pests.
Organic cotton processing and finishing methods dictated by GOTS use natural and/or low impact methods of dyeing and finishing, further alleviating concern about chemical crossover into the environment, people, and ourselves.
For reasons such as these, organic cotton has a softer, smoother hand feel since the fibers have not been through any harsh chemical processes and are naturally hypoallergenic while retaining cottons’ natural breathability, making things like organic cotton blankets an excellent choice for anyone for year-round use without the worry of chemical residue contact.
Gallant International Inc. is a Certified B Corp. We specialize in private label custom makeup bags, organic cotton totes, muslin drawstring bags bulk for packaging among other products. Items like these make great gifts with purchase and packaging options for eco-conscious businesses to further their commitment to organic cotton.
We are acutely aware of the environmental and social issues that the world is facing. We take our ethical responsibility very seriously. We ensure the highest social and environmental compliance and quality standards in our entire production process from the cotton farms in India to your home, office, or business.
