Pesticides in Cotton
May 1, 2008
Cotton is one of the most heavily pesticide laden crops in the world. In fact, it takes 1/3 pound of chemicals just to make one cotton T-Shirt. According to the EPA, 7 of the 15 chemicals used in conventionally grown cotton are classified to be either “known” or “suspected” carcinogens. There is a vicious cycle in cotton farming. One of the pests that infest the cotton crop is the Boll Weevil. The Boll Weevil is a beetle like insect that feeds on cotton buds and flowers. It is estimated that farmers lose $300 Million in revenue per year to the Boll Weevils infestation of cotton crops. As a result, many harmful pesticides are used to control their infestation, but there is a catch. A vicious cycle occurs for the cotton crop and the Boll Weevil. It looks like this: Cotton is grown -> the Boll Weevil infests -> Massive amounts of pesticides (such as DDT) are used to control infestation -> pesticides kill not only the Boll Weevil but other insects, both helpful and harmful -> eco-systems, water sources, air quality and overall health are impacted -> predatory animals are destroyed, so infestation of other pests occurs -> the Boll Weevil mutates to become resistant to the pesticides used -> New, More, Stronger Pesticides are used -> Cycle begins again and gets worse each time. Why is this a concern for us consumers? Because cotton is such a common material, especially in children’s clothing it is advantageous to seek out Organic alternatives. Like cosmetics, we wear our clothing against the biggest organ in our body; the skin. Because the skin is porous, our skin absorbs not only what we put in our body, but what we put on our body as well. Therefore to have all of these pesticides upon our skin all day, everyday may certainly have a negative impact on our long-term health. What’s more, the pesticide laden Cottonseed oil is actually found in food products such as potato chips, crisco and other salty snack type foods. So whenever possible, read labels and go Organic! For more information on Cottonseed Oil click HERE.
For more information on Cotton Clothing click HERE.
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