The Truth About Cotton

Cotton is the most universally comfortable, versatile and durable of all fibers, both natural and synthetic. However, there are huge differences in the cultivation and harvesting practices of various types of cotton. Take a minute to educate yourself on the dangers and benefits of the world’s most popular fiber:

• Conventionally grown cotton is the most commonly available in stores today. (But it’s slowly changing!) Cotton is the most heavily sprayed crop in the world – one pound of cotton has been sprayed with an average of 1¼ pounds of pesticide!

  The chemicals used on cotton are among the most toxic substances in farming. Farmers may apply as many as 10 pesticide treatments during a growing season, as well as fungicides, herbicides, fumigants and chemical fertilizers. As insects inevitably become resistant to these chemicals, this spraying is rendered less effective. Farmers then opt for stronger chemicals and spray even more. This cycle is resulting in damage to the environment and rendering farm fields barren. The runoff from irrigating these crops seeps into our drinking water and contaminates it.

  Fiber isn’t the only part of the cotton that is harvested. Cottonseed oil is commonly found in many packaged foods (another reason to buy organic), and cottonseed is added to livestock feed. In other words, all these nasty pesticides may end up on your dinner plate as well as on your back.

• “Green” or “Natural” cotton is unbleached, untreated, undyed and formaldehyde-free – but not grown by certified organic standards. Thus, natural cotton can still come from a crop heavily sprayed during cultivation. While this is not as great as organic, it is a step up from conventional.

• “Organic” cotton – cultivated without the use of toxic pesticides – is the way to go. Organic cotton crops are rotated (usually with nitrogen-rich legumes) to ensure the soil maintains its fertility and vitality. Usually the crop rotation is with legumes as they provide much needed nitrogen to the soil. Because the harvesting and processing of organic cotton is done without chemicals, dyes or formaldehyde, it is the healthiest choice for your body and the environment. The by-products, of course, are organic cottonseed oil and organic cottonseed feed for livestock.