Sonja Myyryläinen
Many different chemicals,
some of them toxic, are used in the manufacture of textiles. Some are harmful
to us humans or to our environment, while others are currently not considered hazardous.
Some of the chemicals used in the manufacture and finishing of textiles may remain in the final textile product when
the products reach the consumer.
It is
difficult to know exactly which chemicals are present in the textiles since the
supply chains are long, complex and global. When going down the supply chain,
the amount of information often decreases. Different companies, or even countries,
may have different requirements about providing information, and it is
problematic, in particular for small importing companies, to ensure that their
demands are fulfilled by suppliers and sub-contractors. |
| Cotton manufacturing in the old days. |
So what kind of toxins and chemicals are used in the textile-making process? Fabric dyeing and washing need a lot of chemicals, but the most dangerous ones are the chemicals used in finishing. Upholstery fabrics and for example men’s shirts use very advanced finishing coatings, everything from fire proofings to wrinkle-resisting or stain-deterring finishings. Formaldehyde is often used in wool production processes and in finishings to provide stain resistance and wrinkle resistance. Other toxic chemicals in finishes are, for example, PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), which are used in flame resistance, and optical brighteners.
So how dangerous are these
substances? Well, formaldehyde is linked
to allergies, skin irritation, headaches and eye and nose irritation. Optical
brighteners can cause similar reactions in humans, but also harm fish and
plants through accumulation in the water purification systems.
How to avoid these harmful
toxins then? There is no simple answer to that question. In Finland, the most
simple thing to do is to use domestic textiles as much as possible. The
regulation of toxins in Finland is strict, and
harmful finishing chemicals are prohibited. Of course, for example cotton is
not grown in Finland, but we have good alternatives. Linen is a fabric material
that is cultivated and produced here in Finland. Other good choices are organic
cotton, silk and wool. And remember to look for the Oeko-Tex Standard! This product
certification shows that the use of toxins in everything from the raw materials
to the finished clothes has been strictly limited.
 |
| The logo of the Öko-Tex standard. Look for this when buying basic cotton clothes! |
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