While there's no doubt that people are outraged about this industry, there may be some overlooked solutions. In this article, I'll go over the damaging factors of the fashion industry, deconstruct all of its arguments for why it is actually doing a good thing, show the real cost of the garments we purchase from fashion retailers and present a positive solution to a problem that will continue to grow as long as we keep engaging in it.
Here Some Negative Externalities of Fashion:
1) Toxic fabric:
One of the most damaging factors of the fashion industry is the toxic fabric it uses. Cheap clothing is not only unethical but also unhealthy. We live in a time when we're seeing an epidemic of asthma, eczema, and dermatitis, and it's not difficult to see why. Fabric is the number one culprit for the growing number of allergic reactions in children. A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that by 2016, 20% of children under the age of 6 were affected by at least one kind of skin allergy.
“In the US, asthma is the most common chronic disease among children and teens, affecting an estimated 17 million people. In children, the symptoms of asthma are a result of inflammation of the airways. Allergens such as chemicals and dust mites are known to trigger asthma attacks,” said the CDC. The CDC study also found that chemicals like per fluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are also being found in the air and in our blood. PFCs are a group of man-made chemicals that are considered to be hazardous to our health.
PFCs are commonly used in non-stick coatings, stain-resistant clothing, and fabrics. While the CDC claims that most PFCs are not released into the environment, they can cause health problems and damage the immune system. In 2007, the first study was published about the dangers of PFCs, showing that these chemicals can pass through the skin and into the body.
Since then, the CDC has found that PFCs are in almost every single kind of sample they have tested, and they can even be found in breast milk. There are currently over 200 different PFCs, and some of the most common are used in products like stain-resistant clothing, carpets, and carpet tiles. The list of products containing PFCs is constantly growing. The textile industry is the second-largest consumer of PFCs, and PFCs are often added to textile manufacturing.
Because of the health risks and environmental hazards associated with PFCs, the World Health Organization has set a global goal of eliminating the use of PFCs in consumer products by 2015. The United States and Canada are the only two countries that have not taken any action to reduce the use of PFCs. The biggest culprit of PFCs is the non-stick coating on fast food containers, where they can end up on our food and in our bodies.
The coating is also known to be carcinogenic, meaning that it can cause cancer. A common chemical used in the manufacturing of non-stick coatings is perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOA is associated with a wide variety of health problems, such as cancer, thyroid disease, heart disease, and ulcerative colitis. The use of PFOA in non-stick coatings is also the cause of the contamination of the groundwater around Lake Michigan.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, PFOA was found to be linked to high levels of cancer, heart disease, thyroid disease, kidney disease, and immune system problems. The biggest offender of the PFCs in the textile industry is the chemical Dyflon. Dyflon is a polymer that is often used in the production of non-stick coatings, stain-resistant fabrics, and carpets. It has also been found in food packaging.
In 2004, Dyflon was banned in the United States for use in baby products and children's clothing. However, there is still a lack of regulations on the manufacturing of non-stick coatings and stain-resistant clothing, which allows Dyflon to still be used in these products. “While Dyflon has been widely used in the textile industry, the potential health risks of this chemical are still largely unknown. This is why we need to regulate the use of Dyflon and other PFCs in consumer products,” said Kate Zaldua, Ph.D., lead author of the study and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota.
2) The water pollution:
Another negative effect of fashion is the water pollution it causes. In 2014, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that at least 30% of the surface water in the United States was contaminated by per fluorinated compounds. “Pollution is a problem that has been ignored for too long, and we need to start taking action now to prevent further harm to the environment,” said Alex Mando, a spokesperson for the EPA.
In 2011, the EPA found that contaminated water supplies in Michigan were contaminated with PFCs, which can lead to an array of health problems. “We don’t know how much of these compounds we are exposed to, but we do know that there is a risk of health problems if you are exposed to high levels of PFCs,” said Adam Winters, a scientist at the EPA.
PFCs are also found in the tap water in communities like Hinkley, California. In January, a coalition of over 70 environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the EPA for their role in allowing PFCs to be used in products and in the environment. “When we are using PFCs, we are also polluting our water supplies. This is a serious problem that requires immediate action,” said Sam Anderson, a spokesperson for the Centre for Biological Diversity.
3) The rising death rate:
Another negative effect of fashion is the rise in the death rate. According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, the number of people who die each year due to fast fashion has increased from over 20,000 in 1990 to over 40,000 in 2010. The increase in fast fashion has caused a rise in obesity, which has been associated with several health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.
“fashion is the leading cause of deaths from
obesity and chronic diseases. It’s important to recognize that it is not just a
problem for consumers who are purchasing clothing that they do not need. The
problem is also with the companies who are producing the clothes,” said Kate
Zaldua, Ph.D., lead author of the study and assistant professor at the
University of Minnesota.
4) Waste:
“As we start seeing more and more dead fish and
other animals in our rivers, we need to be very careful about what we are using
in the manufacturing of clothing. If we don’t start taking action, the contamination
of our waterways will only continue to increase,” said Alex Mando, a
spokesperson for the EPA.
You can help make a difference
It is easy to make an impact. You can start by
boycotting the companies that are making these toxic clothes. You can also make
sure that you purchase organic cotton clothing.
Conclusion
1. You can boycott, avoiding buying clothing from
these companies.
2. You can make sure that you purchase organic
cotton clothing.
3. You can share this blog to help spread the word
about toxic fashion.