It Is Well Living Blog

As a consumer, I never used to think twice about the clothes I wore…well, I did but only focusing on the brand, style, fit, and price, but I didn’t consider the potential harm the chemicals used in our clothing could have on my health and the environment...and not to mention the workers making the clothes. Let’s explore the toxic chemicals used in clothing, how they can be harmful, and what better options are available.

Toxic Chemicals Used in Clothing and How They Harm You:

1. Formaldehyde: It's a chemical used to prevent wrinkles and stains in clothes, but it can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, and even cancer. According to the American Contact Dermatitis Society, rayon, blended cotton, corduroy, wrinkle-resistant 100% cotton and any synthetic blended polymer are likely to have been treated with formaldehyde resins. 

2. Phthalates: This chemical is a plasticizer often used to soften plastic materials, including fabrics. Phthalates are endocrine disputers, meaning it can interfere with the normal function of your body’s endocrine system. Your endocrine system is a network of glands and organs that produce, store, and secrete hormones. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can enter the body through your skin via clothes and personal care products. 

3. Perfluorochemicals (PFCs): PFCs are used in clothing to make them water-resistant or stain resistant. Exposure is known to be harmful to the environment and can also cause health problems such as kidney and liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility and more.

4. Azo dyes: This type of dye is often used in clothing and can also be found in water, soil and food. Azo dyes can be metabolized to produce more toxic metabolites which can trigger allergic reactions, tumor formation and endocrine disruptions.

Keep in mind skin is always in close contact with textiles so it is important to understand what chemicals are in your clothes. Not to mention these chemicals can also be harmful to the environment, as they can leach into water supplies and cause pollution.

You Can Choose Better Options:

Thankfully, there are better options available for those who want to avoid toxic chemicals in their clothing. For example:

1. Organic cotton: Clothing made from organic cotton is free from pesticides and other harmful chemicals, making it a safer and more eco-friendly choice.

2. Natural dyes: Clothes dyed with natural materials such as plants and vegetables are a great alternative to azo dyes and other harmful chemicals.

3. Sustainable fabrics: Clothes made from sustainable fabrics such as bamboo, hemp, and linen are often free from harmful chemicals and are also better for the environment.

In conclusion, it's essential to be aware of the chemicals used in the clothes we wear and their potential harm. By choosing safer and more eco-friendly clothing options, we can protect our health and the environment.

Some of my favorite places to shop slow fashion:

- It Is Well Living (my store, of course :))

- Honest Cotton

- Pact Organic

- Mate The Label

Sources: Google searches   MindBodyGreen.  Remake .world.  National Institutes of Health