Organic cotton

In contrast to specifying to suppliers what chemicals or materials are restricted, it is useful to specify exactly what chemicals and materials are desired. Once a material or chemical is well characterized, and it is considered benign with respect to human and environmental health, it can be added to a preferred or positive list (i.e., P-list). For example, a textile manufacturer may source certified organic cotton, or polyester made with antimony-free catalysts, to develop a product line based on these fibres. Or a cleaning product formulator may seek bio-based solvents or rapidly biodegradable surfactants consistent with their product development objectives. 

MB 1,3 and MB 4 grades) — a melamine-formaldehyde resin aminoplast loaded with organic (cotton pulp) and mineral (asbestos, talc) fillers. 

Futons are often much cheaper than organic mattresses and box springs. If you decide to get one, try to find a frame made from untreated, certified wood. They re often sold with untreated, organic cotton or wool mattresses, which might require a doctor s prescription. Some natural (nonorganic) futon mattresses are made from green cotton (which is environmentally friendly conventional cotton, harvested without the use of chemicals) and contain nontoxic borate powder as their flame retardant. This is obviously preferable to PBDE. Top-of-the-line organic crib mattresses are less expensive than adult ones. Expect to spend between 250 and 600. 

If you can wash cloth diapers at home using chlorine alternatives in a washing machine with really hot water, great. Your choice is made. This is an inexpensive (if time-consuming) way of dealing with the diapering dilemma. Sure, you ll use a lot of water, but so do the cloth diaper delivery services, and the manufacturers of disposable diapers. Just try to find diaper covers that aren t plastic or don t contain plastic, especially PVC. There are plenty of (sometimes organic) cotton and wool versions available. 

The First Timester 138 The Second Trimester 140 The Third Trimester 144 Feet and Ankle Issues 144 Lower Back Pain 145 Leg Cramps 145 Shoulder Pain 145 Managing Aches and Pains 145 Gardening 147 Pets 148 Cat Litter 148 Organic Baby Shower 149 Organic Cotton Baby Clothing 149 Wish List 151... 

Chapped. Nipples 242 Stretch Marks 243 Hair Dye, Nail Polish, and Everything Else You Gave Up for the Last Nine Months 243 Bathing Baby 243 Powder 244 Organic Cotton 244 Baby Nails 245 Wipes 245 Diaper Cream 245 Blocking the Sun s Rays 246... 

On the cover The author wears an organic cotton mask (photograph by Ruurd Valkenburg) Labware photograph... 

Because cotton is extensively treated with chemicals during its growth/flowering, processing and transportation, it s best to opt for organic cotton whenever possible. Visit www.the-abc-of-mcs. com under the heading Organic for several addresses, or see Part VI. 

This is an example of an organic cotton mask with charcoal filling. For mild MCS patients this mask is often sufficient, but the more severe MCS patient usually needs heavier protection. It s best to choose an official MCS mask from MCS-specialized suppliers rather than a normal construction cotton mask from hardware stores because the materials will be safer. MCS masks are usually made without chemicals. You can buy MCS masks from these online sources www.aehf.com, http //ican breathe.com, www.needs.com. 

NatraCare tampons and menstrual pads are entirely made of organic and natural materials. The brand is available in natural stores and also online, at www.alyahs.com, for example. Visit www.natracare.com for more information on the products themselves. You can also purchase washable organic cotton menstrual pads at www.hankettes. com and http //manymoonsalternadves. com. Also see entry 371. 

Blue Canoe Organic Cotton Clothing www.bluecanoe.com... 

World Organic Cotton Production [Metric Tons]... 

Myers, D. and Stolton, S., Organic Cotton—from Field to Final Product, Intermediate Technology Publications, Intermediate Technology Development Group, 103-105 Southhampton Row, London, WCIB 4HH, UK., 1999. 

Wakelyn, P.J. and Chaudtry, M.R., Organic Cotton, in Cotton Science and Technology, Gordon, S. and Heich, L., Eds., Woodhead Publishing Limited, UK, 2006. 

Kyrgyzstan organic cotton tested in the south, Reuters Alert Net, Dec 28, 2004. (http // www.alertnet.org/). 

Marquardt, S., Organic cotton production and market trends in the United States and Canada— 2001 and 2002, Proceedings of the 2003 Beltwide Cotton Conference, National Cotton Council,... 

U.S. Organic Cotton Production Drops Despite Increasing Sales of Organic Cotton Products, Organic Trade Association, News Release, December 28, 2004. (http //www.ota.com). 

Organic cotton production is the only farming system by which cotton is produced entirely free of chemical pesticides - and thereby without the risks that such chemicals pose to human health and the environment. Organic cotton production represents an alternative farming system within which natural predator populations are nurtured within cotton production zones, and measures such as intercropping and crop rotation are used to halt the development of cotton pest populations ... 

Over the last few decades organic cotton production has grown from just 30 farmers producing 113 tonnes of cotton fibre, to a global total of more than 31,000 tonnes. While these figures represent only a small fraction (0.15%) of world cotton production, they represent an important proof of principle that contemporary cotton production can occur without the use of hazardous pesticides. In fact, so successful has organic production proved, that global production has increased 5-fold over the past four years. ... 

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