Termed as one of the dirtiest crops because of the high usage of insecticides and pesticides, Cotton accounts for 2.5% of the world's cultivated land, yet it accounts for 24% of the world’s insecticide market. Because of this, cotton farmers are continuously exposed to the most potent toxins that lead to significant health problems. Further, the crop also has a deep impact on the environmental ecosystem.
Over the last few years, one of the alternatives emerged to counter the various problems is organic cotton, which is developed using no insecticides, herbicides or genetically modified organisms, causing many advantages among farmers, customers as well as the environment by saving water while farming as well as while manufacturing of textiles. Let’s explore how organic clothing can yield positive health benefits:
- For farmers: According to the World Health Organization, 20,000 individuals die of cancer and miscarriages each year in developing countries as a result of the chemicals sprayed on conventional cotton. As farmers are exposed to dangerous chemicals that can cause moderate to high hazard, it is imperative to preserve the health of farmers that they move to organic cotton. Further, studies also show that due to the expensive pesticides, farmers enter into spiraling debts and are more prone to depression. Thus, a shift to organic cotton also aids their mental health.
- For consumers: There are many people who suffer from chemical reactions and allergies on the skin through clothing. Because organic cotton is manufactured sans any chemicals, customers can get rid of such ailments very easily, while also saving on medical expenditures.
To sum it up, non-organic clothing causes an impact on not just your health, but also to that of the farmers that produce it and the environment. The several hazards of “fast fashion” can be done with if one shifts to organic clothing!