to be carcinogenic.
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 2,3,4,5,6 Tetrachlorophenol (TeCP) are both used to prevent mould caused by fungi, both applied directly to textiles are considered to be highly toxic.
Both have high chemical stability, remaining difficult to break down, posing a long term threat to people and the environment.
Organotin Compounds – TBT and DBT, Tributyltin is a anti microbial finsh used to prevent sweating odours. Dibutyltin is another organotin used variously as a stabiliser, and in the manufacture of polyurethanes.
High concentrations of these compounds are considered toxic; absorbed through the skin they can pose damage to the nervous system.
Formaldehyde is used for creation of easy care finishes, preventing shrinkage, helping crease resistance and gives a soil releasing finish.
The breadth of dyes is massive.
Azo dyes (nitrogen based) are heavily restricted in the EU under the Azocolourants Directive 2002/61/EC; they have been proven to separate under certain conditions to produce carcinogenic and allergenic aromatic amines.
Chlorinated Organic Carriers commonly used in the process of dyeing polyester, they have been found to cause liver malfunction, irritation to mucous membranes, skin and reproductive problems.
Heavy metals are constituents of some dyes, but they may also be present in a fabric having been absorbed by plants from polluted soil.
They pose extremely serious effects when absorbed into the body.
Typical heavy metals include:
Antimony, Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Copper, Chromium, Cobolt and Nickle.
It is important to note that regulation within the EU is strict. These chemicals are still commonly used in developing countries, and it is the workers in direct and indirect contact with these substances that are affected. It is also to be noted that as stated before it is the lower end of the price market that has seen the significant jump in exportation from developing nations, these are intrinsically linked to poor chemical/environmental and human protection and control
Direct Environmental and Ecological effects of the Fashion Industry
Excess or even prolonged use of pesticides and herbicides on the environment can have pronounced effects.
Prior to its ban DDT and PCB, of which PCP is a derivative is blamed for the poor formation of bone structures in vertebrates; 12,000 birds washed up on UK shores (1969) were found with higher than expected levels of PCB.
High levels of PCB’s in animals can cause infertility, at 50ppm in Whale Blubber there is a sharp cut off in levels of fertility:
- In 1991 the Ministry of Agriculture found a dead bottlenose dolphin with PCB levels of 320ppm of the coast of Wales.
- Killer whales have been found with 410ppm of PCB
- Dolphins off the coast of Europe – found with up to 833ppm PCB
All considerable distances from PCB pollution.
Excess release of fertilisers, essentially Nitrates and Phosphates in large quantities – used extensively in the cultivation of cotton and flax, into the water table can lead to eutrophication.
These provide nutrients for algae’s, which can grow at such a rate that light essential for other plant life is cut off; with such swift over production of algae free oxygen levels are left depleted, and all marine life can die.
Follow on repercussions are that whole water systems can be infected, and disease will quickly follow. Globally, up to 30 percent of all fertilisers used are for the production of textile fibres.
Any excessive cultivation will change the natural characteristics of soil, and environment. Deforestation for cattle ranching is a typical example where desertification occurs, taking many years to return.
Chemical contamination can persist for years, altering not only habitat, but also environment patterns such as rain fall.
Global Climate Change
Many of production methods in the developing nations are in-economic with regards to natural resource usage, contributing further to the release of atmospheric pollutants, namely Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous oxide and CFC’s amongst others.
C02 CH4 and N20 increases
Transport of Fa