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MANUFACTURE: Questions Raised over US Textile Quality
Listed under: News
Published: Monday, February 11, 2008
Ten percent of the textiles examined last year by a leading testing laboratory failed to reach recommended ecological standards. The fabrics, potentially destined for UK high street clothing or haberdashery departments, failed on key tests conducted by Shirley Technologies Limited (STL). A surprise finding is that the most potentially harmful cottons originate from the USA, whilst few problems were detected with cotton from the rest of the world. In terms of textiles that have entered the manufacturing process, the key reasons for failure are colour fastness, pH, allergenic dyes and toxic heavy metals. Many samples fell foul on their pH (acid/alkaline) levels. Materials with unacceptable levels can cause itching, rashes, spots, skin peeling or allergic reaction.
"It's a basic problem, but the main reason for failure is that some manufacturers simply don't completely wash off the fabric after the dyeing or finishing process," said Phil Whitaker of STL, which has more than 80 years experience of providing expert textile-testing services to manufacturers and retailers. "There are some very nasty chemicals used in the production of clothing and household articles, including formaldehyde - which is carcinogenic - extractable heavy metals such as cadmium and chromium, and pesticides.”
“Each material has to be tested for dangerous chemicals or content - which, while they can cause irritation or allergy attacks for the wearer, can actually give serious health problems to people working in the factories where textiles are processed. An item of clothing that bypasses tests can hide the fact that it contains a huge range of hidden dangers for the buyer and wearer – and can be a serious health risk for the maker.”
"It's a basic problem, but the main reason for failure is that some manufacturers simply don't completely wash off the fabric after the dyeing or finishing process," said Phil Whitaker of STL, which has more than 80 years experience of providing expert textile-testing services to manufacturers and retailers. "There are some very nasty chemicals used in the production of clothing and household articles, including formaldehyde - which is carcinogenic - extractable heavy metals such as cadmium and chromium, and pesticides.”
“Each material has to be tested for dangerous chemicals or content - which, while they can cause irritation or allergy attacks for the wearer, can actually give serious health problems to people working in the factories where textiles are processed. An item of clothing that bypasses tests can hide the fact that it contains a huge range of hidden dangers for the buyer and wearer – and can be a serious health risk for the maker.”
