"WE ALL LOVE COLOUR " synthetic dyes in fashion are they harmful

Since antiquity, fabrics have been dyed with extracts from minerals, plants, and animals. In fact, dyeing historically was a secretive art form; the most beautiful and exotic pigments reserved were for those who had the status to wear them.

Things began to change around 1856 when scientists discovered how to make synthetic dyes. Cheaper to produce, brighter, more color-fast, and easy to apply to fabric, these new dyes changed the playing field. Scientists raced to formulate gorgeous new colors and before long, dyed fabric was available to all, and natural dyes had become obsolete for most applications.

This brightly colored, changed new world was not without a down side however. The chemicals used to produce dyes today are often highly toxic, carcinogenic, or even explosive.

The dye on a finished garment, by it’s nature, is chemically stable – that’s what makes a dye color fast. However, research is emerging that examines the

short and long term effects of potential skin absorption of dye and finishing chemicals through clothing. The CNN report

October 2007, revealed that new testing procedures reveal that young babies and children actually do have increased levels of chemicals in their bloodstream and skin from synthetic garment dyed fabrics

Because clothing comes into prolonged contact with one’s skin, toxic chemicals are often absorbed into the skin, especially when one’s body is warm and skin pores have opened to allow perspiration. We also know that some individuals have what is known as chemical sensitivity, including when exposed to garments of many types.“WE ALL LOVE COLOR” Synthetic Dyes in fashion are they harmful ?

Symptoms from synthetic dyes in adults for chemical sensitivity range from skin rashes, headaches, trouble concentrating, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing, irregular heart beat, and/or seizures. Symptoms in children include red cheeks and ears, dark circles under the eyes, hyperactivity, and behavior or learning problems.

I’m excited to learn that natural, plant based dyes are steadily making a comeback into mainstream fashion. Responsible dye manufactures are investigating ways to treat their dye effluent with organic materials and bacteria, rather than chemical treatments, and improve dye manufacture

and processing to minimize hazardous chemicals used.

The realistic solution to current toxic dyes is likely to be a combination of more responsible synthetic dye production, together with a sustainable