Why buy eco-friendly and organic cotton products?

The words 'Eco-friendly', 'organic' and natural' are becoming a staple part of media coverage. They have become so popular that every other company these days is busy redefining their marketing campaign to highlight their environment friendly initiatives. Consumers are increasingly asking for organic alternatives and are willing to pay a premium price for the same. But, in spite of all the media attention there are many who are either unaware of this 'organic trend' or are skeptical about any real benefits from these so called fancy 'organic products'

This article is dedicated to all the skeptics who are trying to decide if this 'go green' and 'buy organic cotton’ mantra just a marketing drama, a status symbol fad or genuinely a better and safe choice of products especially for our young kids.

Mentioned below are some facts that will tilt your decision towards purchasing organic cotton products and living an environment friendly lifestyle...

· Worldwide, cotton is known to be a pesticide-heavy crop. It uses approximately 25 percent of the world's insecticides and 10 percent of the world's pesticides. Considering that our skin absorbs chemicals through the clothes we wear (especially the baby skin), products made of regular grown cotton can cause serious damage to our health

· There are approximately 12.8 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the United States with about four pounds of cotton produced per acre. To improve productivity about fifty-five million pounds of pesticides gets sprayed on these 12.8 million acres. This makes cotton ranked third just behind corn and soybeans in pesticide dependence.

· The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in the United States as "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" to cause cancer in humans. Considering the tender skin of infants and babies, regular grown, pesticide heavy cotton should be definitely avoided.

· The World Health Organization estimates that pesticides poison at least three million people every year, with 200,000 people dying from pesticide poisoning annually. By making a choice to buy organic cotton, we will support the organic farming methods which do not involve use of pesticides or any other chemicals. This will also have a positive impact on the health of farmers.

· The United States Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reports that children exposed to methyl parathion, an insecticide, suffer memory loss and emotional swings. It is thus recommended to go for organic and eco-friendly cleaning supplies especially to keep our children safe.

· A University of Florida study conducted in Mexico found that adverse results from pesticide exposure can cross generations. In findings published in Environmental Health Perspectives, Elizabeth A. Guillette and colleagues found that the daughters of mothers who lived near areas of heavy agricultural spraying may be unable to nurse their children. Sonoran Mayan girls whose mothers were exposed to chemical spraying did not develop mammary tissue necessary to produce milk, unlike their counterparts whose mothers were not exposed to such chemicals.

· A recent study of 600 people found that those exposed to pesticides had a 1.6 times greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease than those who were not. Those who made “heavy use” of pesticides, or who were exposed to them more than 200 days in the course of their lifetime, were found to have over twice the level of risk, suggesting that “there is very strong evidence” linking pesticide use and Parkinson’s disease, according to lead researcher Dana Hancock.

· A National Cancer Institute researcher who matched pesticide data and medical records in 10 California agricultural counties reported that pregnant women living within nine miles of farms where pesticides are sprayed on fields may have increased risk of losing an unborn baby to birth defects.

Considering all the above mentioned facts and the effect the chemicals can have on our health, it is highly advisable to make more and more organic choices. We all need to bring environment back in our lifestyle starting from eating organic food, wearing clothes made of organic fabrics and living more in tune with nature.