Pollutants in textiles recognizable by the smell

Study: Clothing is often contaminated with hormonal chemicals

03/20/2012

Many textiles are contaminated with hormonally active nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) and are harmful to the environment. This resulted in an investigation of the environmental organization Greenpeace. By washing the clothes, the harmful substances would be released into the environment. Andreas Metzger from TÜV Rheinland reports that toxic substances in textiles trigger allergic reactions of the skin and could be detrimental to health.

European Ecolabel indicates compliance with limit values ​​for textiles
In highly toxic and polluting textile productions, most people think of developing countries or China, where workers are forced to risk their health for starvation wages. But exactly these textiles can also be found in Germany, because most companies have the goods produced in low-wage countries and then imported.

On Tuesday, Greenpeace presented its study on residues of hormonally active nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) in imported textiles. Although NPEs are not immediately harmful to health, but the chemicals get into the sewage and sewage treatment plants by washing the clothes and so back into the environment. In the European Union, however, the use of NPEs in production is banned or severely limited, reports Greenpeace.

Andreas Metzger from TÜV Rheinland in Cologne explains that clothing treated with chemicals and contaminated with pollutants can also be harmful to human health. When trying on in business, such a burden is difficult to determine, since the skin-irritating pollutants develop their unpleasant effect only by prolonged wear. „Does not smell something appropriate, you should keep your hands off it“, advises the expert. Certain certifications and labels also help identify harmless clothing. These include the European eco-label or the Tooxproof label from TÜV Rheinland. Both provide information on compliance with legal limits. Metzger also mentions the label Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which certifies clothing made of natural fibers. People who suffer from a nickel allergy can use a pharmacy nickel sweat test to test buttons or buckles. „But that works only if the button is not covered with a layer of varnish“, explains the expert.

Hiding chemicals often in clothing
Velvety sweaters, dimensionally stable jackets and wrinkle-free pants are loved by consumers. However, as a rule, a great deal of chemistry is used in the manufacture of these products to artificially produce such textures. At the end of last year, the Swedish health authority investigated the level of chemicals in garments. The „pharmacy magazine“ has looked at the study results more closely and analyzed. Peter Kanzler, editor-in-chief of the newspaper, explains that textiles contain a lot of chemicals. For the production of one kilo of clothing up to six kilograms of chemical are needed. These would, inter alia, ensure that the color is washfast, the fabric is soft and wrinkle free.

Organic seals are also available for textiles
If you want to be on the safe side, look for organic seals. Products that bear such a bio-seal are 100 percent non-polluting and environmentally friendly. The clothing is often made of hemp, cotton, bamboo fibers or cork and looks no more „eco“ out. The number of manufacturers of modern, contemporary organic clothing is steadily increasing. The textiles are of biologically compatible cultivation, free of toxins and chemical coloring agents and visually correspond to the trend. Is located next to the organic seal and a „Fair-“ respectively „Fair Trade“-Signs, the workers in the producing countries receive fair wages and produce under environmentally friendly working conditions. (Ag)

Read about:
Which clothes are healthy?
Children's clothing often contains pollutants
Sandblaster jeans endanger your health

Picture: Alexander Dreher