polyester a textile that costs the earth

Its cheap to use Polyester but the environment and our health is paying heavy price for it.

Polyester, also called dacron, terylene, vycron etc, was introduced from the 1950s. Polyster is non-absorbent, uncomfortable in close texture, and has a "plastic" handle. Is more sensitive than cotton for laundering. Because of its hydrophobic nature, it has a poor affinity for dyestuffs.Polyesters generate environmental impacts in their life cycle, including material extraction through their production and use to their disposal. In very general terms, the studies have shown the health hazards to consumers and the environmental risk arising from use of polyester textile in daily life.

Polyester fibre is produced from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. All the production steps of polyester required to convert petroleum into polyester fibre are energy intensive and result in significant emissions, including large amounts of a potent climate change gas – carbon dioxide. Air emissions which include nitrogen and sulphur oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOC), particulars, carbon monoxide and heavy metals, can cause significant health problems. Presence of toxic antimony in production is a concern from a human health perspective. Producing polyester also uses large amounts of water for cooling, as well as lubricants, which can become a source of contamination.

cotton-polyester blend

This blend offers the convenience of "wash and wear", and is less expensive than 100% cotton products. Blends do not "breathe" or absorb moisture as natural fibers do. They are also not as comfortable.

side effects on our health

By skin contact:
Evident as itching, acute skin rashes & redness.
frequent or prolonged contact leads to dermatitis.
Degreases skin.
Respiratory-tract irritation.

By eye contact:
Irritation may last several hours.


hard-to-recycle synthetic fibres

The textile industry is shared between natural fibres such as wool, silk, cotton, and man-made ones, the most common of which are synthetics fibres [Polyamide, acrylic] made from petrochemicals. Polyesters manufacture creates pollution and they are hard to recycle(with nylon taking 30 to 40 years to decompose).