Cotton. is. a. crop. In fact, it’s considered the world’s ‘dirtiest’ crop due to its heavy use of insecticides. 25% of the worlds’ insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, and defoliants) are sprayed on cotton. Cotton covers only 2.5% of the world’s cultivated land, yet uses 16% of the world’s insecticides! According to the EPA, seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States are deemed “possible,” “likely,” “probable,” or “known” human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin).
If you read our past post, Organic Cotton & Why It Matters, then you are already familiar with the numerous reasons to buy organic cotton. Because organic agriculture doesn’t use toxic and persistent pesticides, choosing organic products is an easy way to help protect yourself, save our earth’s precious resources and create a better eco-system for all who inhabit our beautiful planet. You do have a choice when shopping. Don’t underestimate the power of your purchases!
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