You may have wondered why I included organic clothing and bedlinen in my earlier blog - have I gone completely mad?!! While we all know about toxins in pesticides, what about toxins in your clothes?
- Today’s clothing industry is a seven trillion pound a year industry that uses an astounding 8,000 synthetic chemicals;
- Consumers have the mistaken illusion that synthetic fibres in clothing are safe;
- For over half a century people have been reacting negatively to chemicals interacting with their skin causing disorders like infertility, respiratory diseases, contact dermatitis and, yes, even cancer;
- The more synthetic clothing you wear, the greater your risk of absorbing toxic chemicals that can precipitate health conditions most often not attributed to synthetic fibres.
- Your skin is the largest organ of elimination and absorption— as I mentioned before, what goes ON the skin goes IN the body;
- When toxins are absorbed through your skin, they are taken-up by the lymphatic system, then into the blood stream and eventually the liver—the chemical-processing plant of the body responsible for removing toxins;
- Your skin also keeps you healthy by actually venting approximately one pound of toxins daily;
- Petrochemical fibres restrict and suffocate your skin—shutting down toxic release rather than allowing it to escape—contributing to your total body burden and may be the trigger for the onset of disease;
- A “toxic soup” is created when combining multiple chemicals that interact to create an even more toxic substance and health consequences than individual chemicals by themselves.
Fabric may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about living a healthier lifestyle, but it definitely should be considered.
Most synthetic fabrics, from towels to shirts and bed linens, are treated with chemicals during and after processing. These chemicals not only leach into the environment, impacting groundwater, wildlife, air and soil, but they also may be absorbed or inhaled directly.
“The use of man-made chemicals is increasing, and at the same time we have warning signals that a variety of wildlife and human health problems are becoming more prevalent,” says Dr. Richard Dixon, Head of the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) Scotland. “It is reckless to suggest there is no link between the two and give chemicals the benefit of the doubt. Urgent action is needed to replace hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives especially in clothing and other consumer products.”
WWF is so concerned about one fairly new clothing additive that they advised parents to check their children’s clothing labels. If the chemical is on it, they advise switching to clothing made from natural fibres whenever possible.
The chemicals that the WWF was warning about are perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which include the non-stick additive Teflon. These chemicals are increasingly being added to clothing because it makes them last longer and also can make them wrinkle-free. Most clothing labeled “no-iron” contains PFCs.
Keep in mind that if you have mysterious “invisible illnesses” that linger and yet you’re told “everything is within normal range,” it’s time to look into whether the fibres your clothes and bedding are made of could be the problem; it is for many.
The Science Bit…
- Scientists find that restrictive bras suppress the lymphatic system—needed to flush toxins from your breasts and lymph nodes and to help prevent breast cancer;
- Despite wide appeal of synthetic athletic apparel, medical studies show that synthetic fibres cause muscle fatigue— which can make the difference between winning and losing for competitive athletes;
- A study of 24–27-year-old-males, showed that natural linen long sleeved shirts were worn for five hours—and then polyester ones were worn for another five hours. Their arms were monitored during both with electrodes measuring skin temperature and velocity of the men's muscle tissue. No changes were measurable when they wore linen. However, when they donned polyester they endured a range of muscle disruptions.
While individual chemicals might not endanger your health, the synergistic effect of multiple chemicals (a “toxic soup”) interacting can have unpredictable negative health effects;
- Choose natural fibres. While not always as easy to find, its best to do so when possible:
Cotton — preferably organic still remains the “king” of textiles. Organic accounts for less than one percent of worldwide production;
Flax — one of nature’s strongest fibres;
Hemp — grows without any need for fungicides, herbicides, or pesticides because it’s naturally insect-resistant. Its fibres are reported to be four times stronger than cotton. This is NOT the hemp known for its mind-altering properties;
Silk — known as the “queen of fabrics.” Watch out for the use of synthetic dyes in this fibre.
Wool — most of today’s wool is contaminated with chemicals, i.e., pesticides used to kill parasites. But organic wool is becoming more common.
Other — alpaca, angora, camel, cashmere, mohair, ramie, aluyot.
Flax — one of nature’s strongest fibres;
Hemp — grows without any need for fungicides, herbicides, or pesticides because it’s naturally insect-resistant. Its fibres are reported to be four times stronger than cotton. This is NOT the hemp known for its mind-altering properties;
Silk — known as the “queen of fabrics.” Watch out for the use of synthetic dyes in this fibre.
Wool — most of today’s wool is contaminated with chemicals, i.e., pesticides used to kill parasites. But organic wool is becoming more common.
Other — alpaca, angora, camel, cashmere, mohair, ramie, aluyot.
You Need to Know…
The Organic Trade Association estimates that one non-organic cotton T-shirt uses one-third pound of pesticides and fertilizers. Cotton production uses one-fourth of the entire world’s fertilizers. It’s another good reason to choose organic cotton to add to the ones above.
The Organic Trade Association estimates that one non-organic cotton T-shirt uses one-third pound of pesticides and fertilizers. Cotton production uses one-fourth of the entire world’s fertilizers. It’s another good reason to choose organic cotton to add to the ones above.
Don’t get over-whelmed, start small. Choose organic for clothing closest to your skin most of the time—underwear, sleepwear, sheets/pillow cases, etc. Build on your organic wardrobe as you replace items.
Are You Getting a Charge? Electrostatic charges accumulate in synthetic clothing. There are reported incidents of shocking mini-explosions from mixing layers of synthetic clothing with synthetic carpeting. And wait for it…synthetic undergarments contribute toinfertility in men.
A 24-month study of male dogs (yes, a bizarre and an awful thought) wearing either loose-fitting polyester underpants or loose-fitting cotton ones showed that wearing polyester created significant decreases in sperm count and degeneration of the testes. The animals wearing cotton suffered no side effects.
Scientists hypothesise that polyester traps body heat, encourages chemical absorption, and creates electrostatic buildup… which all affect sperm count.
And Finally...
Yes, organic cotton does cost a bit more...but then...isn't it more cost effective long-term to stay healthy than to be ill?
Make the decision as parents and grandparents to create a safe non-toxic nursery beginning with non-toxic no VOC paint to hard surface flooring, the cot and bedding and the clothing used for a newborn whose immune system is not fully developed to provide maximum protection, naturally.
Source: Consumers Beware: Toxins Lurking in Your Clothing! by Gloria Gilbere, DAHom, PhD
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