Organic cotton will improve your health and our planet's health! A bold claim, so let’s delve a little deeper and see why.
Every day tens of thousands of highly toxic chemicals are used in the production of textiles. This makes the textile industry the second largest contributor to pollution after the oil industry. The toxic waste produced is then disposed of in our rivers and seas. The waste is extremely dangerous and hazardous for our health, especially for farmers and garment workers who are heavily involved in the production phase. Our wildlife and climate also suffers with the current method of disposal.
Heavy metals such as Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd) and Copper (Cu) are widely used in the manufacture of colour pigments for textile dyes. The presence of Lead in a textile, which in the case of bedding we spend approximately 8 hours in contact with per night, is of great concern for health agencies and the conscious consumer. A few months ago River Island urged its customers to return some of their women’s clothing because of fears that the goods contained high levels of Lead. Lead is a mineral that occurs naturally in our soils, but the activity of humans has led to hugely increased levels of exposure. In fact, Lead levels in our environment are approximately 1000 times greater than what they were a few hundred years ago!
Lead is a neurotoxin. It affects the brain and cognitive development as well as the reproductive system. The neurological damage caused by Lead is irreversible. Reading and reasoning abilities in children are affected. It has also been linked to hearing loss, speech delay, balance difficulties and violent tendencies. The WHO (World Health Organisation) has identified Lead as one of ten chemicals that are regarded as a major public health concern. Action is needed by member states to protect the health of workers, children and women of reproductive age.
By opting for certified organic fabric, you can prevent the entry of such harmful levels of heavy metals into your daily life. i.e. in clothes and bed linen. Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) is the leading certification body for organic textiles worldwide. GOTS certification means all chemical inputs used must meet strict environmental and toxicological criteria. Some brands claim that their cotton is grown organically but are not GOTS certified. Be wary of such products, and always look for the GOTS/Soil Association label on the products.
Purchasing GOTS certified cotton means you will have absolute peace of mind and certainty that your fabric is free from harmful chemicals, and made ethically under International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention standards. Certified organic bedding proves that the fabric you sleep on is healthy and ethical. We at Sleep Organic are proud to be an independently 100% certified Organic (GOTS) and Fairtrade brand. We are working for you, ensuring that you get healthy and comfortable sleep, whilst protecting the wider environment we all share.
Nisa Shah, co-founder Sleep Organic