Organic Cotton vs. Conventional Cotton
Providing our children with a healthy and happy life is an obvious goal for most parents. With our children exposed to so many harmful pollutants day after day in so many ways, choosing 100% organic cotton clothing and toys is a fun and simple way we can do our part as conscience parents for our sensitive babies, as well as our environment.
Conventional vs. Organic Cotton
Did you know that cotton is actually the second most pesticide-laden crop in the world after coffee? And cotton represents only 2.4 percent of all cultivated land, but utilizes 25 percent of the planet’s pesticide and 10 percent of its herbicide production. Conventional cotton farming involves heavy pesticide and herbicide spraying. Chlorine bleach is used to whiten fabrics and formaldehyde is applied to finished garments. Approximately 1/3 pound of chemicals is used to grow cotton for just one t-shirt. These chemicals cause harm to wildlife, the environment and humans.“Working with, not against,” nature is the principle behind organic farming. Grown without pesticides and spun without chemicals, organic farmers rely on organic fertilizers, manual crop rotation and integrated pest management. Fields are naturally fertilized, pest-eating insects are used to naturally control crop damage, and weeds are removed with hoes and tractors, as well as manually. Farms earn the organic label by using soil that has been free of synthetic pesticides for at least three consecutive years. Beneficial insects, chili, garlic, neem tree oil and alfalfa are some of the ingredients used in organic farming.
Quality and Durability
Organic cotton is pure, natural and more breathable for delicate skin. Pesticide and chemically-treated clothing, diapers and bedding block the natural balance of the skin by trapping heat and preventing it from “breathing,” (i.e. absorbing adequate moisture), often causing rashes and eczema on sensitive skin.Organic cotton clothing lasts longer due to its natural composition. It is a softer, thicker cotton that is sturdier than thinner conventional cotton that gets worn much quicker from use and washing. Consumers are always surprised at how long each piece of organic clothing lasts.
If you think cotton is a safe choice because it is 'natural', think again.
Crop Duster Plane Spraying Insecticidal Dust Over Vast Fields. Until about 50 years ago, cotton-growing mainly involved sustainable techniques: it did not permanently deplete resources or create a health hazard.
Today, however, the pesticides used on 'conventional' cotton increasingly threaten people, wildlife and the environment. Most pesticides were originally developed as toxic nerve agents during WWII and it is no wonder they have been linked to many forms of cancers.A year 2000 USDA study revealed that eighty-four million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on cotton in the U.S.A, ranking it second behind corn. Some of these toxic chemicals include the infamous defoliant Paraquat and insecticides like Parathion which is 60 times more toxic that DDT! In fact, the EPA considers 7 of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton as "likely" or "known" human carcinogens.
Ironically, it is estimated that less than 10% of the chemicals applied to cotton accomplish their task, the rest are absorbed into the plant, air, soil, water and eventually, our bodies. Sprayed from the air, these highly toxic chemicals can drift into surrounding neighborhoods, poison farm workers, contaminate air, ground and surface water and cause major eco-system imbalances.
As insects gradually become resistant to pesticides, ever-increasing amounts are applied to be effective, resulting in massive ecological disasters and crop failures. These hazardous pesticides also pose an increasing danger to wildlife. A 1993 EPA study estimated that 'one to two million' birds are killed annually by carbofuran, just one insecticide used on cotton! This is only one of many tragic effects on our wildlife.
It doesn't end there. Conventional cotton is also a major user of toxic herbicides, fungicides and defoliants. During processing, it is subjected to chlorine bleach, heavy metal dyes and formaldehyde resins (the hidden hazard of 'easy care treatments'). The bleach is almost worse than pesticides, causing myriad health problems and vast environmental damage.
How is organic cotton better?
Hand-Harvesting Organic cotton represents a return to safe and sustainable practices. It is grown with natural fertilizers and is free from toxic chemicals.
Organic farmers rely on crop rotation to replenish and maintain soil fertility. Mechanical cultivation and botanical or biological means are used to control pests and weeds.A field must be pesticide-free for at least three years to be certified organic, and the cotton must be processed according to international organic standards.
The standards also set strict guidelines for transportation and storage to avoid cross-contamination. In the U.S., cotton labelled as organic has to be certified by an independent agency recognized by the USDA's National Organic Program.Some of the benefits of organic cotton are:
Manual farming and organic practices have a lower carbon footprint as the entire process consumes less fuel and energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases.
Not from genetically modified cottonseed.
Grown with natural rather than synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, no chemical defoliants used.
Eco-friendly processing that does not compromise workers' health and helps reduce water and electric use and toxic runoff, e.g. non-chlorine bleach, silicon-free softeners and low impact, azo-free dyes.
Strict testing ensures the absence of contaminants like nickel, lead, formaldehyde, amines, pesticides and heavy metals.
People with allergies and chemical sensitivity especially benefit from organic cotton clothing, as conventional cotton may retain harmful toxic residues. Even if you don't have sensitive skin, organic cotton will just feel better against your skin.
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