Chemicals in Fashion
By Kyla Clark
Fashion has always played a major role in society. Like, back in the Renaissance, the
style of clothes you wore, and the person who made your things, represented how high in
society you were. And, in the sixties how high your hair was and how much hairspray was in
your hair was basically how popular you were.
Most people have no idea what’s in all of the things they buy to try and make
themselves more ‘fashionable’. No idea what’s in all of the clothes, makeup, jewelry, shoes,
none of it. And I’m sure none of the companies who produce the items are too keen on telling
us all the gory details. But, I hope to shine a little light on the subject.
1. Clothing Emits Toxic Chemicals
Everyone has a personal favorite thing, for everything. Favorite sports teams, a type of
shoe, even a clothing brand. Well, fourteen of the most popular clothing brands ( Calvin Kelin,
Adidas, Converse, Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie & Fitch, Bauer Hockey, Cortefiel, Uniqlo, Gap,
H&M, Lacoste, Nike, Philips-Van Lauren Huesen Cooperation, and Puma) were inspected by
Greenpeace, a environmental organization. They conducted an experiment so see what was
actually in our clothes. The Company told the public that they purchased 78 different samples,
all from the brands I mentioned above. Once they analysis came back, 2/3 of the samples were
said to have a chemical in them called NEP’s. Greenpeace shared that, “all of these commonly
purchased items are linked to two specific manufactures”. (Greenpeace 1)
NEP’s or nonyphenol ethoxylates, are used as detergents in clothing. When NEP’s break
down they form nonylphenol, a toxin that messes with the female reproductive system, it alters
the sexual development and can affect unborn children. This chemical is released when washed
so not only is it affecting the waters it is dumped in (by manufactures), it will seep into our skin
after we wash it. Considering our skin is the largest organ, the chemicals that stay on our
clothing, will be put on our skin, and eventually be soaked in. And the longer the exposure
could seriously damage our hormonal processes.
Have you ever considered why girls have started their periods around age 9 nowadays?
Or why menopause hits around fifty? It wasn’t like that about 200 years ago, back then girls
didn’t get their period till 15, and menopause started around their 30’s or 40’s. This is all linked
to the way we make our clothing, and all the modern chemical overdose we have to face.
“Greenpeace has proven that the discharge from these factories includes hazardous and
hormone-disrupting properties were found. (Greenpeace 2). Some of those chemicals were
found in the wastewaters of the two suspected factories.
2. Hazardous Makeup
Makeup, to most women is an essential. From covering up blemishes, to making
your eyes ‘pop’, and making your skin flawless makeup is deemed very
important. Its what every woman wants to accomplish when she goes out, and
most people in the fashion industry would agree that those things are important.
But have you ever read the label on your makeup or lotion to see what’s in it?
No? Well let me give you an idea…
Sometime in February the Age reported that some 400 popular lipsticks had very
high traces of led in them. The report also covered that most eyeliners
contained, blushes are not nickel free, eye shadows have beryllium in them, and
mascaras contain arsenic. Also, for some of these chemicals, scientists don’t
even have a ‘safe’ level of exposure yet.
According to the report Heavy metal Hazards: The Health risks of hidden
metals in face makeup by the Canadian Environmental Defense, the risks of
these metals include cancer, reproductive disorders, memory loss, neurological
problems, mood swings, and hair loss.
These chemicals can be introduced into your system in many different
ways. Your skin can absorb them, a lick of lip-covered lip-gloss, even rubbing a
moisturizing lotion on your face. That’s all it takes. Some of the makeup products
containing the most toxic chemicals include: L’Oreal’s Bare Natural Mascara,
Benefit Benetint Pocket Pal lipstick, and Almay’s Inverse I-Color tri eye shadow.
Dr. Peter Dingle, Associate Professor at Murdoch University said that,
“Heavy metals, primarily lead and mercury are highly toxic. The problem we face
is that everyone is different and everyone reacts to chemicals differently. There
are some people who are unable to detoxify heavy metals from who are unable
to detoxify heavy metals from their bodies and will accumulate it at higher rates
than most. Would you buy a something that can lead to birth defects, to
reduction in IQ, to increased ADHD in kids who’s mothers were exposed.”
3. Pollution Giving us Fatty Figures
A perfect body has always been in style. For women a tiny waist and curves in all
the right places. For men, nice broad shoulders, thick strong legs and abs and
muscles galore. Now days, (or any day) that is not so easy to get. Most people
think that the way we eat and how we don’t, well, move as much as we should is
the reason in the escalating obesity rates. But has anyone stopped to think it
might just be the air we breathe?
David Allison, Obesity Research Director of the Nutritional Obesity
Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham shared that,
“The balance between calories in and calories out makes a difference on how
much fat a persons body holds onto. But it’s probably not everything. And a
creative hypothesis is worth exploring.”
He also continues saying that people need to be open-minded so that we
can see all the other things that will contribute to weight gain, like all the other
factors that will influence metabolism and weight because the stuff we are doing
now isn’t really working.
Their hypothesis is because of all the pollution in the atmosphere, we are
breathing in extra carbon dioxide. The problem with that is that the extra gas
makes out blood a tad more acidic and that lowers the PH levels in out brains, so
the appetite, sleep and metabolism-related neurons fire more often. Because of
that you might be eating more, sleeping less and gaining weight.
Now about a year ago I was having my own problem with weight,
and this was before I found out I has Insulin Resistance. So one summer I tried
the whole being healthy and exercising thing. I exercised every day, and I ate
amazingly well. And you know what happened? I gained weight! I was really
upset. Because if you’re trying to be healthy and nothing happens, its like
nothing even makes sense anymore. So now finding out about this hypothesis in
beginning to this these scientists might be onto something. Because, if in
addition to all the soda and fast food we are putting into our bodies, pollution is
a major contributor, I’ll go green right now.
There are some ideas swirling around these researchers head at the
moment. Like, lowering the CO2 levels indoors, so we are only breathing it outside. And
even Allison said that, “ At the very least investigating the idea could expose chemical
path ways that might expose opportunities for treatment.
4. Jewelry Poisoning Kids
How man women do you think will buy jewelry from places like Ming 99 City,
Burlington Coat factory, Forever 21, Icing, Hot topic, Meijezs, or Kholes? Or kids from
Target, Glitter, Claire’s, Walmart or Justice? Most of the jewelry is cheep, and is very
pretty to! Also accessories are the new the new trends in fashion, so why not? But there
could be some things that moms have never heard about just resting on their kid’s
jewelry.
During a recently conducted experiment, 99 pieces of jewelry were
bought from the 12 retailers I just named to you. The items were checked for Lead,
Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Brominated Flame-Retardants, Chlorine, Mercury, and
Arsenic.
The results were astonishing! Over ½ of the products has a high level of
hazardous chemicals in them. Twenty-seven pieces had greater then the limit of lead by
the Consumer Product safety Commission, which is 300pm. Chromium and nickel were
found in over 10% of items. And cadmium was in another 10%.
Most of these chemicals are some of the most highly toxic chemicals in the
world. Even though the jewelry only has a serious threat when indigested, the jewelry is
easily scratches, chipped, or broken so there is a higher chance of being swallowed or
absorbed with kids. Flame-Retardants are usually sprayed on and can be inhaled or
absorbed into a child’s skin. Also statistics show that girls ages 7-10 still put things into
their mouths, so the risk is still present for children or older ages too.
I personally, am a fan of accessories, but no matter how fashion-forward I am or
how badly I want future kids to be, I would never expose them to chemical things like
this. And Dr. Kennith R. Shore- the director of the occupational and environmental
medicine center at the North Shore University Hospital in N.Y.- agrees with me.
“None of these things you would want your kids exposed to.” He says. “All of
them are harmful. Some of them are even neurotoxin, meaning they can affect brain
development.”
Citations
"Adidas, Nike, H&M Clothing Emits Hazardous Chemicals when Washed, Greenpeace Says." Environmental
Leader LLC. N.p., 23 Mar. 2012. Web. 25 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.environmentalleader.com/2012/03/23/adidas-nike-hm-clothing-emit-hazardous-chemicals-whenwashed-greenpeace-says/>.
Smith, Sandy. "Toxic taint drives cosmetic change." Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media, 20 Mar. 2012. Web. 25
Mar. 2012. <http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/toxic-taint-drives-cosmetic-change-201203191vej7.html>.
"Dangerous Beauty: 5 Scariest Beauty Products." Forbes. Forbes.com LLC, 12 Mar. 2012. Web. 25 Mar.
2012. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/melaniehaiken/2012/03/12/dangerous-beauty-top-5-contaminated-beautyproducts/>.
Sohn, Emily. "COULD AIR POLLUTION BE MAKING US FAT? A hypothesis proposes that rising levels of
CO2 in the atmosphere may be contributing to obesity.." Discovery Channel. Discovery Communications,
LLC, 15 Mar. 2012. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. <http://news.discovery.com/earth/air-pollution-obesity120315.html>.
Castillo, Michelle. "Costume jewelry found to have high levels of toxins and carcinogens, tests show." CBS
News. CBS Interactive Inc, 14 Mar. 2012. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. <http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_16257397465-10391704/costume-jewelry-found-to-have-high-levels-of-toxins-and-carcinogens-tests-show/>.