Getting the Pesticide Monkey Off My Back

While I currently fall mostly into the camp of the conventionally grown cotton wearers, the site Hae Now has presented the most convincing and succinct argument against the carcinogenic tee-shirt I am currently wearing. Check out the bits I stole from the site, below, then see links to organic cotton companies at the bottom. The first step toward change is awareness.

What's wrong with conventional cotton?

• Conventionally-grown cotton occupies only 3% of the world's farmland, but uses 25% of the world's chemical pesticides.
• 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.
• 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.
• During processing, conventional cotton is subjected to chlorine bleach, heavy metal dyes and formaldehyde resins (the hidden hazard of 'easy care treatments').
• Additionally, genetically modified cotton now accounts for 75% of cotton grown conventionally. It is no comfort that cotton is also a food crop: cottonseed oil is used in many processed and snack foods and cottonseed is used in cattle feed.

Why is Organic cotton better?

• 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.

Where to shop for Organic clothing, etc (only the tip of a giant iceberg of online retailers)

• Hae Now
• Baby Wit (Cash has a President Poopy Pants shirt from here)
  
• Patagonia
• Eco-Mall list of even more retailers
• Be Present active wear
• Base Apparel fair trade, sweat shop free and Organic!
• Dear Lil' Divas yoga clothing and mats, etc