Let's Keep It Simple: Start Buying Organic Pjs and Underwear
Let’s keep it simple: start buying organic pajamas and underwear for your children.
Why?
Chemicals that have been found in children’s non-organic underwear and pajamas include:
1. 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬: While many companies have moved away from adding flame retardants to kids pjs (choosing ‘snug fitting’ designs or polyester will mostly assure you there are no added flame retardant chemicals) some still do
2. 𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐞: Conventional cotton is the most pesticide-intensive crop grown on the planet. In California, 5 of the top 9 pesticides used on cotton are cancer-causing chemicals (cyanazine, dicofol, naled, propargite and trifluralin).
3. 𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐬 (𝐁𝐏𝐀 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐏𝐒): synthetic fibers, like polyester are, essentially, plastic. In order for the plastic to be converted into a textile, additives - including BPA & BPS- are added. Recently children’s socks and underwear were found to contain Bisphenols, so it is reasonable to suspect that all clothing made of synthetic fibers would contain these too.
4. 𝐏𝐡𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: last year “Sleepwear” from The Gap reported phthalates in the highest concentration reporting range. phthalates exposure can reduce sperm counts and other endocrine disrupting effects.
5. 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 : Antimony, a carcinogen, was detected in almost ¾ of samples tested, most often in polyester clothing which is commonly used in loose fitting pajamas and undergarments
6. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: One quarter (25%) of samples tested a couple of years ago in Washington State contained one or more of the solvents ethylene glycol, MEK, or D4 – all lChemicals of High Concern to Children in Washington.
Will wearing non organic clothing make your kids sick?
Not necessarily, my kids used non-organic underwear until I realized all of this about 2 yrs ago! However, we do know that:
🌿pjs and underwear are items used for long hours and have direct contact to our munchkin’s skin.
🌿our skin will absorb anything that is placed on it and young children's skins are particularly sensitive :
So, out of caution, transitioning to GOTS certified organic underwear and pjs makes sense.