Is your T-shirt poisoning your skin? | Priyanka Ladha | TEDxCSTU

Summary

This talk exposes the hidden dangers of the fashion industry, revealing how everyday clothing is laced with toxic chemicals linked to serious health issues. The speaker, a sustainable fashion entrepreneur, explains how synthetic fabrics like polyester shed microplastics and harmful substances like BPA and PFAS into our bodies. With a call to action, they urge consumers to opt for natural fibers, regulators to enforce stricter safety standards, and the industry to innovate safer materials, advocating for a fashion revolution that's stylish, safe, and sustainable.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The fashion industry uses 25% of global industrial chemical production, posing significant health risks.
• 👕 70% of clothing is made from polyester, which sheds microplastics that can be absorbed by the skin and cause health issues.
• 🌈 Disperse dyes used for polyester are not water-soluble and can lead to the release of toxic chemicals.
• 🚫 The industry often adds harmful chemicals like lead, mercury, and cadmium to clothing.
• 🚼 In 2022, research found children's clothing contained higher levels of lead than permissible.
• 🔄 BPA and phthalates are endocrine disruptors that can mimic hormones and cause a range of health problems.
• 🧥 PFAS chemicals are used for water and stain resistance but are persistent and linked to various diseases.
• 📉 There are only three federal regulations for chemical use in children's clothing, with no regulations for adult clothing.
• 👚 Consumers are advised to avoid clothing with 'anti' promises, opt for natural fibers, and consider organic undergarments.
• 🌍 The fashion industry can learn from the food and makeup industries to develop less toxic products.

Q & A

What is the primary concern raised in the script about the fashion industry?

The script raises concerns about the use of toxic chemicals in the fashion industry that can cause cancer, reproductive issues, respiratory problems, skin diseases, and other health issues.

What is the speaker's background in relation to textiles and fashion?

The speaker has grown up around textiles and artisans since the age of five, thanks to their father who is a textile designer and entrepreneur. They have also started building three sustainable fashion tech companies.

What percentage of global industrial chemical production is used by the fashion industry?

The fashion industry uses 25% of the global industrial chemical production.

Why is polyester a common material in clothing today?

Polyester is used because it is cheap, easy to produce, and ubiquitous. It is essentially plastic and makes up 70% of today's clothing.

What is the issue with microplastics from polyester clothing?

Microplastics from polyester clothing are shed and become part of the air we breathe. They can be absorbed by our skin through sweat, leading to health problems like heart attacks and carrying chemicals and toxins into our bodies.

What are disperse dyes and why are they a concern?

Disperse dyes are chemicals used to color polyester, which are also plastic in nature and do not dissolve in water. They are absorbed into the fabric's molecular component and can be toxic when worn against the skin.

What harmful chemicals are sometimes added to children's clothing, according to the CBC research mentioned?

The CBC research found that children's clothing sometimes contains lead, mercury, and cadmium, with some items having 20% higher lead levels than permissible.

What are BPA and PFA, and why are they problematic?

BPA (Bisphenol A) and PFA (Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are endocrine disruptors that mimic hormonal compounds in our bodies. They can cause havoc in our bodies and are known to cause a range of health issues including thyroid diseases, skin problems, respiratory issues, and various types of cancer.

Why are regulations on chemicals in clothing insufficient according to the script?

There are only three regulations for children's clothing, with no regulations for adult clothing. This lack of regulation means there is no incentive for the industry to adopt healthier practices.

What are some of the solutions proposed in the script to reduce the impact of toxic chemicals in fashion?

The script suggests avoiding clothing with 'anti' promises that likely use PFA coatings, opting for natural fibers like cotton and silk, replacing synthetic undergarments with natural fiber ones, and urging regulators to consider chemical combinations in their safety assessments.

What is the appeal to the fashion industry made by the speaker?

The speaker appeals to the fashion industry to develop products that are more consumer-friendly and less toxic, taking cues from the food and makeup industries that are working on less harmful products.