Because organic agriculture refrains from using dangerous toxic pesticides, it serves to protect the health of both consumers and the planet. Commonly used pesticides can end up in the ground, air, water, and food supply and have been linked with health defects such as asthma to cancer. Protect your health and the health of your loved ones by switching to organic fibers available at Perfectly Natural.
Cotton and the Environment
Benefits of Organic
Organic agriculture protects the health of people and the planet by reducing the overall exposure to toxic chemicals from synthetic pesticides that can end up in the ground, air, water and food supply, and that are associated with health consequences, from asthma to cancer. Because organic agriculture doesn't use toxic and persistent pesticides, choosing organic products is an easy way to help protect yourself.
Acreage estimates for the 2005 U.S. cotton crop show approximately 6,577 acres of certified organic cotton were planted in the United States. Internationally, Turkey and the United States are the largest organic cotton producers.
- Demand is being driven by apparel and textile companies that are expanding their 100% organic cotton program and developing programs that blend small percentages of organic cotton with their conventional cotton products.
Here are some reasons why organic cotton production is important to the long-term health of the planet.
- · Cotton uses approximately 25% of the world's insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, and defoliants.). (Allan Woodburn)
- · Approximately 10% of all pesticides sold for use in U. S. agriculture were applied to cotton in 1997, the most recent year for which such data is publicly available. (ACPA)
· Fifty-five million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 12.8 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. in 2003 (4.3 pounds/ acre), ranking cotton third behind corn and soybeans in total amount of pesticides sprayed. (USDA)
· Over 2.03 billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers were applied to conventional cotton in 2000 (142 pounds/acre), making cotton the fourth most heavily fertilized crop behind corn, winter wheat, and soybeans. (USDA)
· The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States as "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin). (EPA)
· In 1999, a work crew re-entered a cotton field about five hours after it was treated with tribufos and sodium chlorate (re-entry should have been prohibited for 24 hours). Seven workers subsequently sought medical treatment and five have had ongoing health problems. (California DPR)
· It takes roughly one-third of a pound of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) to grow enough cotton for just one T-shirt. (SCP)
Sources
Allen Woodburn Associates Ltd./Managing Resources Ltd., "Cotton: The Crop and its Agrochemicals Market," 1995.
American Crop Protection Association, "1997 Total U. S. Sales by Crop Protection Product Type and Market," 1998 ACPA Industry Profile.
California Department of Pesticide Regulation, "DPR Releases Data on 1999 Pesticide Injuries," 2001.
Sustainable Cotton Project, "Cleaner Cotton Campaign Tool Kit," Oroville, CA.
U. S. Department of Agriculture, "Agricultural Chemical Usage: 2003 Field Crop Summary."
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, "List of Chemicals Evaluated for Carcinogenic Potential," 2001.
©2006, Organic Trade Association
Eco-Friendly fabrics
Bamboo is processed with little or no environmental damage and its long fibers are extremely strong. It has a natural ability to breath and wick moisture away due to its porous nature. It actually keeps the wearer cooler by one to two degrees than someone wearing cotton. The process of making bamboo fabric is ecologically friendly and does not require any chemicals.
Soy is a natural by-product of normal food production, and a renewable resource. The fiber is made from the hulls of soy beans used in food production. Soy has been dubbed “vegetable cashmere” due to its luxurious, soft hand. It is also extremely durable. Soy has natural wicking properties and is generally combined with other cellulose fibers due to its rarity in the current marketplace. The fiber is so young, it is still being explored for its technical properties and benefits - including claims that soy's natural amino acids have a positive health effect on the wearer's skin.
Hemp was considered such a vital resource in the early 1600’s that laws were passed ordering farmers to grow it. As opposed to cotton, hemp is one of the most environmentally friendly fibers in the world, requiring no pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers and very little water. Almost half of the agricultural chemicals used on U. S. crops are applied to cotton. Hemp exhibits eight times the strength of cotton, and fabrics made from hemp are more insulating, absorbent, and more durable than cotton. It is also hyper-allergenic and non-irritating to the skin.
Organic Cotton farming reduces the mass use of pesticides, chemicals and water. The chemicals used in conventional cotton production are some of the most harmful known to man. Every year new chemicals are created to spray cotton crops as the cotton plant, and insects that invade it, grow immune to the current chemicals used. Organic cotton still requires a great deal of water to grow. Turkey and the USA are the largest producers of organic cotton, however it still only accounts for .03% of the world's total cotton production.
Recycled Polyester fibers are re-used to make fabrics. Poly ethylene terephthalate (or simply PET) is the most common polyester used for fiber purposes. This is the polymer used for making soft drink bottles. Recycling PET by re-melting it and extruding it as a new fiber saves raw materials while reducing energy consumption. Recycled polyesters are popular because they are more fire-retardant, easy to clean, and inexpensive. They can be blended with almost any other fiber. One square yard of fabric contains roughly five clear, 2-liter soda bottles.