SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA

Because cotton attracts a wide variety of

insects, it has become "one of the largest

pesticide dependent crops in the world"

Residual chemicals may irritate

consumers' skin.

Cotton covers 2.5% of the world's cultivated

land yet uses 16% of the world's

insecticides, more than any other single

major crop.

According to the World Health Organization up to 20,000 deaths each

year are caused by pesticide poisoning in developing countries.

Chemicals used in the processing of cotton

pollute the air and surface waters.

Process of growing Organic Cotton

Use of beneficial

insects

Natural enemies of cotton pests

placing a crop of alfalfa that "prevents the immigration of certain species at harvest time and keeps out one of cotton's main pests out

Harvesting

After Harvesting

Free of harmful chemicals (Use of Peroxide instead of bleach)

Simplified version

In India, 91% of male cotton workers exposed to pesticides eight hours or more per day experienced some type of health disorder, including

chromosomal aberrations, cell death and cell cycle delay.

Why Organic Cotton?

‘"Certified Organic" means the item has been grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations. Certification includes inspections of farm fields and

processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting the standards

which have been set.’

(Organic trade association www.ota.com)

Benefits to YOU

Many people are already allergic to perfume and deodorant (due to the chemicals they contain), and can feel tired, experience difficulty breathing, have asthma attacks and get rashes or other allergic reactions, some without even realizing the cause! The cure is –

ORGANIC COTTON

Irritated skin, rashes and even headaches and dizziness can be caused by the chemical residue trapped in the threads. Organic

Cotton helps get rid of this

A baby's skin is up to 5 times thinner than adult skin. Organic Cotton is incredibly soft and gentle to the touch while the gentle chemical free processing leaves it substantially stronger and more durable

than conventionally grown cotton garments.

This excerpt is from an article written by Ode magazine

"Ever since Sahare stopped using pesticides, his workers no longer fall sick or complain of stomach aches or eye pain - and he does not have to deal with the medical emergencies of the past. Once, he rushed a worker to the hospital after the bag of pesticide spray he was carrying leaked and burned his back.

Nilesh Dambare, 24, lives in Vini, a village six miles from Sahare's fields. Dambare's late father, who owned seven acres (three hectares) of cotton fields, was debt-ridden and struggled to send his two sons and daughter to school. Dambare earned a diploma in agriculture a few years ago, but all he learned about fertilizers and pest control didn't seem to work in his own fields.

"The pests became more resistant and the high costs dragged us deeper into loans," says Dambare.

Dambare had a debt of $633 last year when he stopped using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Nothing in Dambare's fields now is wasted. Weeds are mulched and turned into compost using ox dung. Cattle urine is used as pest-repellent on the cotton seeds. In a year, he has already repaid a third of his loan."

Does organic cotton cost more?

Somebody will pay the price today for the choice you make, and you too will pay the price either

today or tomorrow…

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