ORGANIC COTTON

Many chemical pesticides are used during cotton production. In fact, 10 percent of the world’s annual pesticide and 25 percent of its annual insecticide are sprayed onto cotton fields. Given these facts, we can ascertain that cotton production accounts for the heaviest chemical use when compared to other crops. Chemical pesticides and insecticides are used to eliminate the insects that inhibit efficient cotton growth, which increases the yield in cotton production. However, the chemicals used are also absorbed by the soil, which pollutes the air and surface waters. This pollution reaches us indirectly and, as most of these chemicals are carcinogenic substances, it causes damage to our nervous system. Pesticides also contaminate cotton fibers, and these cannot be decontaminated through washing. When we come into contact with cotton that has been treated with pesticides our skin easily absorbs the chemicals, creating a threat to our health.