Organic cotton. Made with organic cotton. 100% organic cotton. Natural, untreated. Similar but not the same. Sometimes synchronicity strikes and if I listen, I usually find a life lesson or even an article in it! This one was the last week when I came across a new blurb about a very popular department store beginning to carry organic cotton jeans. I silently jumped and shouted, “yes.” I was truly excited to think inexpensive, USA made, organic jeans. That lasted for a brief moment.
The more I read and investigated about these jeans, the more once again big company and marketing is just plain deceptive. First of all, the jeans are made in China. Therefore, the carbon footprint of the jeans isn’t a plus. Second, the jeans are made ‘with’ organic cotton. Nowhere does it have to state the percentage of organic cotton that goes into the jeans so it can be very minimal. Third and most important. After the jeans are made, they are dipped and bathed in chemicals to soften, dye and break in. The fact that they have organic cotton somewhere in them is a moot point by then.
I have been a naturalist for many years. I am informed and stay well informed regarding eco and green living. What really makes me mad is that people who are uninformed regarding terms and labeling policies will buy these products thinking they are doing some good for their family and/or themselves. They pay the extra to only to purchase items creatively labeled. This is what led me to the second half of the synchronicity.
The birth of a baby last week sparked some conversation regarding the clean slate of a newborn. How the little child coming into this world is unadulterated chemical free. Well, that’s actually an article for another time, but lets assume that babies come into this world chemical free. We try to introduce the best of the best and the healthiest of the healthiest for the baby. We breast feed, buy organic food, filtered water, chemical free baby detergent and so on. But what about their beds, the furniture or crib decor?
Chemicals from flame retardants used in pajamas, bedding and furniture have been found in toddlers’ blood. Flame retardants pass government standards when they do not wash out after 50 washes, so don’t think you’ll simply wash the items a few times.
According to a recent study, children under 4 years old had three times more of the neurotoxins known as PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in their blood as their mothers. The study was released by Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. that advocates protecting public health and the environment.
PBDEs have been linked to be hormone disruptors and interfere with brain development. Infants’ clothes up to 9 months size are exempt. Doesn’t mean it’s not added, just means they don’t have to include the chemicals. But infants sleep on sheets, are exposed to bedding and furniture. The least we can do is allow their little faces to come in contact with natural, untreated sheets.
So the next time you purchase crib sheets, do your baby a favor and buy sheets made with 100 percent organic cotton, naturally dyed, untreated. If the extra expense is an issue, consider only buying a couple and rotate/wash daily. Every bit helps and contributes to a healthy child and mother earth.
