Why support Organic Cotton? Conventional cotton is very harsh on the environment and the health of those working in the fields. Conventional cotton accounts for about 25% of the worlds pesticides and considering the toll that pesticide poisoning takes, there is great incentive to reduce their usage. This does not even touch the health effects on those living near pesticide intensive areas.
photo by: flydime
A Study published in 2007 in Environmental Health Perspectives found that in California maternal proximity to heavily sprayed agricultural crops resulted in an increase in children diagnosed with autism. Then further down the chain much damage is done to the wildlife and the build up of chemicals in the soil, air, and water comes back to us when we eat, breath, and drink. Additionally, from the fetal stage through the first few years of life children are far more sensitive to environmental toxins due to the developing blood-brain barrier and immune system. This is an extremely critical time to avoid xenobiotics that could cause neurobehavioral impairment, reproductive damage, immune dysfunction, and increased risk of cancer because of the massive development that is taking place.
