Many of the chemicals used in cotton production are carcinogenic substances that damage our nervous system. The pesticides settle in the fibers of the cotton, do not disappear by washing and easily absorbed by our skin. Despite all this, cotton is the most preferred raw material in fabric production. According to a study conducted by the US Department of Agriculture, 38,000 tons of insecticide were sprayed onto cotton grown in 2000. The insecticides contain 60 times more toxic substances than DDT, and EPA (American Environmental Protection Agency) explained that 7 of the 15 types of pesticides used are carcinogens.
FACTS ABOUT COTTON
Cotton crop uses 3% of the world's cultivated land yet uses 24 % of the world's insecticides, more than any other single major crop.
Toxic Pesticides
Cotton in Food Chain
If your daily eating habits include ready-made snacks, chips, mayonnaise, ready-made salad dressings, you may be unwittingly eating “cottonseed oil” . Cotton is not only used as raw materials in our clothes, but also used as oil in many food products in the ready- made food sector. In Turkey, cotton oil is generally used in the production of margarine as for raw material for fat (2) and is the the third most consumed vegetable oil after sunflower and soybean oil (3). Refined cottonseed oil is preferred by locals because it gives better results than other oils in its use for frying purposes (4). Cotton seeds are also used as animal feed.
These all are indications of the big dangers we are facing.
Common Pollution
Unfortunately, less than 10% of the chemicals sprayed on cotton are used to protect the cottons from insects, while the remaining chemicals are absorbed by plants, air, soil and ultimately our bodies. These highly toxic chemicals sprayed from the air spread to the environment, poisoning agricultural workers, polluting the air, surface and groundwater, and causing ecosystem imbalances.
Damage to Natural Life
As the insects develop resistance against the drugs over time, the amount of pesticides used in cotton plantation is increasing every year, resulting in major ecological catastrophes and loss of crops. It is estimated that 2 million birds die annually in the world due to the pesticides. Today, production from genetically modified cotton seeds accounts for 75% of the world's cotton production.
Chemicals used in Textiles
Various hazardous chemical products are used in the dying, printing and manufacturing process of the conventional textiles items. Organic textile products do not contain these chemicals, so are very important for human health.
Chemicals
- Aromatic Solvents
- Chloro-Phenols
- APEO, EDTA, DTPA and similar persistent complexing agents
- Active Detergents
- Flourcarbones
- Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s)
- Ammonium compounds
- Formaldehyde and other short chain aldehydes
- Heavy metals
- Azo Dyes
Other Toxic Chemicals
- R40 ( limited evidence to carcinogenic effect)
- R45 ( may cause cancer )
- R46 (may cause heritable genetic damage )
- R49 ( may cause cancer by inhalation )
- R60 (may impair fertility )
- R61 (may cause harm to the unborn child)
- R62 (possible risk of impaired fertility )
WHY ORGANIC COTTON ?
The term organic describes the products of agriculture that use no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Organic cotton is a clean, sustainable alternative to conventional cotton.
What is Organic Cotton?
Organic methods consider the whole eco system and use natural techniques to assist plant growth, repel pests and protect and encourage wildlife habitats. No toxic chemicals are used in processing and manufacturing of organic cotton products. It is produced by farms where no synthetic chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers have been used for at least three years. Instead of using agricultural pesticides, beneficial organisms such as parasites and natural enemies (such as ladybirds against aphids) are used for insect management.
Why Natural?
-As much as 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies, and children are more at risk as their skin is 5 times thinner
-Avoids exposing the body to constant low levels of unnecessary chemicals e.g. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, parabens, chemical dyes etc
Why Organic?
-Cotton grown naturally has denser fibres producing cloth that is beautifully soft, more durable and holds its shape better - even when washed repeatedly
-Organic cotton saves lives - No pesticides, hazardous chemicals (believed to cause up to a million cases of poisoning a year and 20,000 deaths); so better for farming communities
-No formaldehyde (used as a finish) which can cause rashes, asthma etc - so better for those with allergies, asthma or chemical sensitivities - and means it smells cleaner too!-No nickel in the poppers which can cause skin rashes.
WHY CERTIFICATION ?
How can you be sure an organic product is all it claims to be?
Answer: By the help of the certification labels and the numbers that has to exist on the products..
What do the logos on the products mean ?
In order a product to be sold as " organic", all the manufacturers in the production process should have a certain internationally recognized certification and all stages of production must be carried out in accordance with the certification criteria. Also, all of these processes should be audited by an independent audit company. By the help of the certifications, the use of synthetic AZO dyes containing heavy metals, the use of chlorine bleach or harmful chemicals in the dyeing process of fabrics can be avoided.
Safe and hygienic working conditions at all the stages of processing and production. There is no forced labor and workers are not required to lodge so-called "identity deposits" with their employer.
Workers are free to leave their job at any time and have the right to join or form trade unions. Child labor is absolutely forbidden, and strictly enforced. Wages and benefits paid for a standard working week meet national labour standards or industry benchmark standards, whichever is higher. Working hours comply with national laws and benchmark industry standards whichever affords greater protection.