Pollutants in clothing: Avoid and use alternativesSome are aware, others don't care: Pollutants in clothing are part of the daily routine in the textile industry. However, some manufacturers have deliberately decided against both use of chemical substances that are harmful to health as well as the environment decided, because the textiles can contain toxins even after washing and harm health.
In this blog post we explain the consequences provoked by the use of chemical substances in the refinement of fabrics. Why are they used at all? What pollutants in clothing can do to both the environment and humans? During training as a product finisher (m/f/d), you learn, among other things, which Side effects and consequences of different substances on the body and the environment have.
Up front: It is possible to manufacture textiles free of harmful substances and sustainably! Since occupational safety and environmental protection play a major role at TRIGEMA, we refrain from using toxic chemicals. However, since this is reflected in the production costs, other manufacturers (especially in low-wage countries) cannot cope with this financially. Humans and the environment suffer tremendously.
fashion should not only attract us, but also make us beautiful and confident. Colorful and playful, elegant and simple or casual and comfortable. All this should be clothing. The market must also respond to this. Reinventing oneself, yet maintaining timelessness. Many of these characteristics are defined especially by the color and wash of the garment.
Bleach
The natural fiber cotton has a beige hue. In order to remove the toxin – i.e. to make the fabric white – or to be able to dye the fibers better later, it is bleached. Various chemical liquids are used in the bleaching process, which are in themselves already dangerous to health. In combination of these even carcinogenic and mutagenic highly toxic compounds.
Optical brightening
For a bright white are so called optical brighteners applied. As we have reported many times, water pollution is extremely high due to the textile industry. "soups" of pure chemicals are piped into local rivers and waters, causing "dead water". Also the optical brightening creates a cocktail of toxins in textiles.
Color effects
Jeans are treated with various chemical agents for their look. Although the trousers are first dyed blue, nevertheless Color effects with chemistry achieved. To reduce the cover up acrid odors, Are repeated Chemicals and fragrances used.
There are several more procedures that we could tell you about – but the post would become endless. However, if you are interested, What toxins oKO test already in 2013 among other things in textiles for children discovered and what the chemical substances can trigger in our body, click here.
Washing can remove a large number of harmful substances from a product, but it is still questionable what happens to the chemical cocktail in the water and whether you want to do that to the environment. The better choice: BAvoid the use of textiles during production and (as a customer) when buying textiles.
This does not have to be! In the meantime, there are numerous companies that take care to design their production in a sustainable manner. The health of employees. customers are the main focus. Clothing free of harmful substances must be accessible to all. To make the decision easier for customers Seal that identifies garments that are free of harmful substances.
Probably the best known seals are both Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, as well as the GOTS seal. Both test finished products for contaminant residues. The seal OEKO-TEX Made in Green is an association of textile research and testing institutes. It fulfills particularly high standards in terms of environmental friendliness and social compatibility during the production and use phase. Harmful substances in clothing do not stand a chance here!
Carcinogenic, Impairment of reproduction, influence on hormone balance. Allergies, diseases, Hair and blood analyses. There are enough scientific findings. Everything can be traced back to harmful substances in clothing.
We recommend: Also take a sniff at textiles. Of course, a product can smell unpleasant. Nevertheless no pollutants contained. You have certainty by the seals mentioned above. Key points: Always wash clothes before wearing them for the first time! Trying on briefly works without washing.