Why do we use Organic Cotton?
Most people are still in the dark about the full story behind the conventional trade of cotton. Conventionally grown cotton uses more insecticides than any other single crop, typically using many of the most hazardous pesticides on the market. Each year cotton producers around the world use nearly $2.6 billion worth of pesticides, which is more than 10% of the world's pesticides and nearly 25% of the world's insecticides. (Please see: http//www.panna.org/resources/documents. conventionalCotton.dv.html)
It is estimated that less than 10% of the chemicals used on cotton actually serve the purpose of eliminating pests, the rest are absorbed into the plant, air, soil and water. Pesticides don't only harm the earth; statistics report that 60% of field workers in the cotton industry show symptoms of permanent poisoning. These pesticides have not only been linked to cancer, there have been traces found in the milk of animals and nursing mothers. In India alone the life expectancy of a cotton farmer has dropped to 35 years.

Consider the animals: "It has been estimated that pesticides unintentionally kill at least 67 million birds in the U. S. each year and it is likely they kill many more." (PAN-Pesticides Action Network) 

Consider our Water-Ways: "Billions of pounds of nitrogen synthetic fertilizer are used on cotton crops resulting in runoff that can create aquatic "dead zones" in waterways. Dead zones are oxygen-depleted areas lacking sea life, and a third of the world's 146 oceanic dead zones are off of U.S. shores, according to the UN in the gulf of Mexico, one covers 7,000 square miles.

Consider our deep wellwater and fresh water springs: What will become of the water we drink and bath in?

Consider your health and the health of your family: Most chemicals applied during growing, processing and ongoing production are permanently in the fabrics and many people have complained that these chemicals have affected their health; e.g. Formaldehyde resin finishes are used in the production of many sheets (although manufacturers are not legally required to tell us the fabric has been treated with formaldehyde, if the label reads: 'no-iron', 'wrinkle-free', 'water-proof',(a few of the alternative clues) most likely it has been treated with formaldehyde. During the manufacturing process formaldehyde is applied in such a way that it becomes a permanent part of the fiber and continues to release fumes for the life of the fabric. Formaldehyde is a known irritant and suspected carcinogen.
(For more details check out: http://www.homestore.com/HomeGarden/HomeImprovement/Safety/Dadd/Sheets.asp?poe=homestore)

Consider the 'Developing World': 99% of the world's cotton farmers live and work in the 'developing world' where lack of education has left them an open doorway to pesticides that have been banned or severely restricted in industrialised countries. (See, "The Deadly Chemicals In Cotton"; www.ejfoundation.org).
Our products are from 'Fair Trade' environments where the workers make a living wage in healthy working conditions, the families are looked after and the money goes fairly to all people involved in the process, not just the importers. (See: www.fairtradefederation.org and www.fairtrade.net)

What is Certified Organic?
When we hear the word “natural” this does not mean it is Certified Organic. Most things in nature are natural, this does not mean they are respected. Organic products are produced with no chemical pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, synthetic fertilisers or genetically modified organisms. Nor are a further array of highly toxic heavy metal chemicals used in the final manufacturing process, such as defoliants, formaldehyde and chlorine.

Who will care enough to take responsibility?
Government bodies and officials are not necessarily going to protect or inform us about what is best for us. We need to take responsibility so that something greater can occur. We must understand that every action has a consequence, an impact, be it positive or negative. Our purchasing choice alone has the ability to directly impact production methods of cotton and other agricultural manufacturing. Our choice to buy organic or environmentally sustainable products holding the Fair Trade rights can influence social and economic justice and instigate environmental recovery. Please care about the effect our lifestyle is having on our ecosystem, our forms, our family, our fellow workers and farmers.