Why
Organic Cotton Matters
There is most likely cotton in every area of our
homes, including our bedrooms, kitchens, closets, living rooms, even our
medicine cabinets. Cotton is good, though, right? After all, Zoey Daschanel and
Hayden Panettiere look so happy in those “Fabric
of Our Lives” commercials.
Unfortunately, things aren’t always
as they appear. It isn’t hard to find the damning evidence against
conventionally grown cotton. With just a quick Google search, I found copious
research about the harmful effects of cotton production. When grown
conventionally, cotton is actually considered the dirtiest crop in the world.
Cotton covers 2.5% of the world's cultivated land yet uses 16% of the world's
insecticides, more than any other single major crop.
Things are even worse in India, home to over one third of the world’s cotton
farmers, where cotton accounts for 54% of all pesticides used annually –
despite occupying just 5% of crop land.
On top of all that, the men, women
and children who work in the cotton industry are continually exposed to these toxins.
In many areas of the world, cotton is a hand-picked crop. Consider that a
single drop of the pesticide aldicarb absorbed through the skin can kill an
adult. This pesticide is commonly used in cotton production in the United
States and 25 other countries worldwide.
And, we haven’t even touched on all
the synthetic additives that cotton receives in the manufacturing process!
Here’s a straight quote from The Organics Institute:
During the conversion of conventional cotton into clothing and fabric, many hazardous materials such as
softeners, silicone waxes, harsh petroleum scours, heavy metals, flame and soil
retardants, ammonia, and formaldehyde are used and added to the product.
Conventional cotton
manufacturing processes often result
in large volumes of toxic waste water that carry away residues from
chemical cleaning, dyeing and finishing. This toxic waste pollutes our
waterways, depleting the oxygen from the water and destroying marine animals
and disrupting the ecosystems.
Most chemicals applied
during the cultivation and processing of conventional cotton leave chemical
residues in the fabrics, which could cause allergies, skin irritations,
chemical sensitivities and other health problems.
Thankfully, cotton doesn’t have to be produced in
this radically harmful way! In fact, there is a growing number of farmers and
companies who are choosing to produce cotton organically. Here’s more great
information from The Organics Institute:
On the other hand, organic cotton is grown in soil that is certified free
of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic cotton
farmers use environmentally sustainable systems that replenish and maintain
soil fertility, promote biodiversity and natural pest control. They use natural
fertilizers such as compost and animal manure that recycles the nitrogen within
the soil.
All the ‘nasty’ chemicals used in the
processing of conventional cotton are
prohibited in organic cotton processing. Only certain
biodegradable, low impact dyes and oxy, hydrogen peroxide bleach is allowed in
organic certification. Therefore, organic cotton is non-toxic and
hypoallergenic, thus ideal for those with allergies and chemical sensitivities.
At this point, because conventional cotton has a
higher demand and its production is often subsidized, it is artificially
cheaper to buy than organic cotton. The price tag doesn’t show all those
“hidden” costs of conventional production detailed above, though. If you want
to have only truly natural cotton touching you and your family, you can start
small by swapping out products one at a time. It may take a bit more time to
find, but there are cotton swabs, bedding, clothing and other products made
with only organic cotton. Have you found an organic cotton product that you
love, or know of a good source to find them? Share your tips and thoughts in
the comments!
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