The solvents used in dry cleaning establishments have long been known to effect human health. Perchloroethylene – also called perchlorethylene, tetrachloroethylene, tetrachlorethylene, PCE, or PERC – is used for dry cleaning clothing and fabrics. Perc removes stains and dirt without causing clothing to shrink or otherwise get damaged. You know that sweetish smell from a newly …
Does living or working in a LEED certified space mean that you are safe from building contaminants – or does it promote a false sense of security? A study published by the nonprofit, Environment and Human Health, Inc. (EHHI), in May 2010, emphatically claims that you are not safe. The lead author of the study, …
Equal Exchange was founded in 1986 to support authentic fair trade by challenging the existing trade model, which favored large plantations, agri-business, and multi-national corporations; to support small farmers; and to connect consumers and producers through information, education, and the exchange of products in the marketplace. With the founding, they joined a growing movement of small farmers, …
Fibers are divided into three main categories: Natural – like flax, wool, silk and cotton Manufactured – made from cellulose or protein Synthetic – made from synthetic chemicals The difference between “manufactured” and “synthetic” fibers is that the manufactured fibers are derived from naturally-occurring cellulose or protein, while synthetic fibers are not. And manufactured fibers …
Design decisions influence our health. Our children start life with umbilical cords infused with chemicals that affect the essence of human life itself – the ability to learn, reason and reproduce. Google’s project coordinator for real estate, Anthony Ravitz, said that Google is trying to use safe building materials because: By focusing on the “health …
First we heard about the world’s biggest garbage dump – made up of the detritus of our time: plastic bottles, plastic bags, DVD cases – floating in our ocean. About 44 percent of all seabirds eat plastic, apparently by mistake, sometimes with fatal effects. And many marine species are affected by plastic garbage—animals are known to …
We’ve been told that using greener, healthier products of all kinds is a key way to avoid sickness and even serious diseases. Small children, being particularly vulnerable, undoubtedly need their parent’s help in this respect, so parents are urged to protect their children from exposure to the huge amount of additives, colors, toxins and chemicals …
Given the large size of the printing industry, and the extraordinary volume of chemicals it consumes, it is not surprising that it also generates a significant amount of pollution. Gaseous emissions have been identified as the second greatest pollution problem (after effluent quality) for the textile industry – and these are largely generated in printing. Speculation …
Yes, we’re still talking about the printing process! As I warned you, it’s complicated. For the past two weeks we’ve concentrated on the first two steps of the basic 5 steps in printing a fabric, which are: 1. Preparation of the print paste. 2. Printing the fabric. 3. Drying the printed fabric. 4. Fixation of …
Bear with me – I’ll eventually get to the environmental aspects of printing – including digital printing. But I think it’s important to know the basic steps and processes in order to be able to understand green claims. So there will still be a Printing – part 3 before we get to the environmental topics. …
OEcotextiles 