The
season of super shopping is just around the corner. Did you realize that clothing and fabrics from retail
stores come with a history. When, where
and how were they made, transported, stored?
How long has it been in the store?
Who has tried them on? This
unseen segment of the supply chain puts the average consumer at risk for contaminants,
chemicals and diseases. Below are some items of concern and possible ways to
protect you and your family.
New clothing and fabrics may have these impacts to your health.
- Items may contain respiratory secretions, skin flora, fecal flora, yeast, vaginal organisms, lice and scabies
- Possible illnesses include hepatitis A, traveler's diarrhea, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), salmonella, norovirus, yeast infections, streptococcus
- Skin reactions, rashes, redness, swelling, blisters, flaky, burning, itchy, dryness may occur from formaldehyde, nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE), antimicrobial triclosan, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and genetically engineered (GE) cotton
Try
these precautionary measures during and after your purchase.
- Keep on some clothes while trying on new clothing at a store
- Seek out organic cotton material
- Smell the clothing to check if they emit too much chemical scent
- Avoid “iron-free,” “wrinkle-free,” “stain resistant” or “permanent press”
- Wash new clothes when you bring them home from the store
- Bath skin after shopping that has come in contact with new fabrics
Also
note that mattresses, bed linens, pillows, carpeting, curtains, furniture, cars
and other upholstered items, have been treated in a similar fashion and may
pose a threat as well.
