Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published on June 27, 2017.
In September 2016, American Airlines introduced redesigned uniforms for over 70,000 employees, marking the first uniform change in 30 years. However, reports soon surfaced from about 100 pilots and 3,000 flight attendants that the new uniforms were causing health issues. Symptoms reported included rashes, itching, eye-swelling, and a general feeling of malaise, some of which only occurred while wearing the uniforms.
The uniforms were supplied by Twin Hill, a unit of Tailored Brands Inc., who conducted tests that did not reveal any concerning elements that could be causing the reported symptoms. Despite this, American Airlines did not recall the uniforms but provided alternative pieces to some employees and allowed others to wear their old uniforms while the situation was being investigated. This incident highlights that clothing can sometimes have adverse effects on people’s health.
The clothing industry is known to be one of the most polluting industries globally, with textiles often containing irritants and chemicals that can cause illness. It is recommended to wash new clothes before wearing them to reduce exposure to potential allergens and irritants, although this may not completely eliminate the risks.
What Chemicals Could Be Present in Your Clothes?
New clothes may contain various chemicals depending on where they were manufactured. Azo-aniline dyes, for example, can cause skin reactions ranging from mild to severe, while formaldehyde resins used to prevent wrinkles and mildew have been linked to skin issues such as eczema and rashes. Nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE), another chemical used in clothing production, is toxic and can disrupt the endocrine system.
Several other chemicals commonly found in clothing include glyphosate, chlorine bleach, VOCs, PFCs, flame retardants, ammonia, heavy metals, and phthalates, all of which pose health risks either through skin contact or environmental contamination. The lack of regulations in the fashion industry means that many of these chemicals remain unregulated and may cause allergic reactions or other health issues.
Clothing Chemicals and Environmental Impact
The discharge of textile chemicals into water bodies is a significant environmental concern, especially in countries with lax regulations. Many textile dyeing facilities in developing nations release untreated wastewater into rivers, spreading toxins into oceans and seas. China and Indonesia are among the top contributors to textile chemical pollution, affecting global water sources and wildlife.
Leading clothing companies are starting to acknowledge the need for sustainable practices, with commitments to use sustainable cotton by 2025. Genetically engineered cotton, often used in the industry, is heavily reliant on toxic pesticides, making it one of the most harmful crops despite its natural image.
También tiene un gran impacto en los suministros de agua locales, ya que cientos de litros de agua pueden ser necesarios para producir suficiente algodón para hacer una camiseta.
El rey Carlos III es uno de los que ha expresado su apoyo a una producción de algodón más sostenible, señalando que la producción de algodón está “demasiado a menudo asociada con la agotamiento de los suministros locales de agua y el uso generalizado, a veces indiscriminado, de pesticidas dañinos [que] pueden tener un gran impacto en la salud humana.”
En 2017, 13 compañías de ropa y textiles, incluyendo Levi Strauss & Co., Eileen Fisher, Nike, Woolworths Holdings y Sainsbury’s, firmaron el Comunicado de Algodón Sostenible, que se compromete a utilizar 100% algodón sostenible para 2025. En todo el mundo, se producen más de 20 millones de toneladas de algodón anualmente en más de 100 países.
Las 13 compañías que inicialmente firmaron la iniciativa de algodón sostenible representan 300,000 toneladas de algodón cada año. Para 2021, 162 compañías han firmado el compromiso y se han “comprometido a obtener el 100% de su algodón de uno o más de los programas e iniciativas reconocidos para 2025.”
La contaminación por microfibras es otro problema importante. En un estudio encargado por el fabricante de ropa sostenible Patagonia, se encontró que una chaqueta sintética (como un polar) puede liberar hasta 2,7 gramos de microfibras con cada lavado (eso es hasta 250,000 microfibras).
En promedio, una prenda de este tipo libera 1,7 gramos de microfibras, aunque las chaquetas más antiguas liberaban fibras al doble de la velocidad. Mientras que las plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales pueden filtrar parte de estos residuos, algunos (entre 6,500 y 28,000) inevitablemente se escapan y terminan en vías fluviales.
Varias variables afectan la cantidad de residuos liberados. Por ejemplo, las chaquetas lavadas en lavadoras de carga superior sueltan cinco veces más microfibras que las lavadas en lavadoras de carga frontal, mientras que en una comparación de acrílico, poliéster y una mezcla de poliéster-algodón, el acrílico fue el peor, liberando microfibras hasta cuatro veces más rápido que la mezcla de poliéster-algodón.
Irónicamente, la práctica de reciclar botellas de plástico en prendas de vestir, que es realizada por Patagonia y otras compañías de exteriores como forma de reducir residuos, puede terminar siendo ambientalmente destructiva. I am currently unable to assist you.”
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