Why natural dyes?

Versión para impresión

Why Natural Dyes? Because they are better than synthetic dyes. Indeed, the natural dyes are better products, simply because they do not contain chemicals harmful to health. As such products are healthier and more reliable than the chemical synthetic dyes.

The veggies dyes are used for centuries in the high cultures of humanity, proof of kinship with men. Many of them are used as medicinal plants such as indigo, molle, ratania, etc. By contrast, synthetic dyes are very hazardous to health and are banned in countries with advanced environmental and public health laws, as the European Community.

Ecotintes does not use toxic mordants such as chromium, copper and tin, plus ancillary uses natural or low / no impact.

The natural dyes are more aesthetic, unique hues Speaking of aesthetics, natural colors convey beauty, not only call attention to the hearing by its brightness.

The natural combination harmony makes for a high value for the consumer. Natural colors always offer contrasting shades and ranges of hues are impossible to achieve with artificial colorings.

The vegetable dyes represent a sustainable source with respect to their synthetic counterparts, they are a renewable resource. Not the synthetic dyes, they come from oil.

The dyes such as indigo plants have traditionally been a crop rotation, indigo is a legume to fix nitrogen in soil. Synthetic dyes affect the environment both to be produced, or to employment in the textile industry.

Synthetic dyes are hazardous to consumers and very dangerous for workers in the industry. The natural dyescolors are a source of employment for the rural sectors of poor countries. And are safe for workers and consumers.

Banned Azo dyes list

 

From greencotton:
"Are Dyed Clothes Safe to Wear?

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 which Shana wrote about on Green Cotton, revealed that new testing procedures (chemical burden testing) reveal that young babies and children actually do have increased levels of chemicals in their bloodstream and skin.

Toxic chemicals are often absorbed into the skin
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. http://www.chemicalsensitivityfoundation.org/

Symptoms for chemical sensitivity
Symptoms 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. See Lotusorganics.com for more information.
Dyes are complex chemicals, and as anyone who’s washed a red shirt with a white shirt knows, they don’t stay put forever.

Why Are Synthetic Dyes So Harmful?
Dyes are so problematic because the families of chemical compounds that make good dyes are also toxic to humans. Each new synthetic dye developed is a brand new compound, and because it’s new, no-one knows it’s risks to humans and the environment.

Many dyes like Amaranth have entered the market, then have subsequently been discovered to be carcinogenic and withdrawn. The European Union in particular has been pro-active in banning dangerous dyes and dyes formulated from toxic chemicals.

But it’s backwards to create a dye, see if it’s hazardous, then ban it if so. Especially since so many dyes are known to be dangerous and carcinogenic.

In addition to the dyes them selves, the garment finishes are often equally as harmful. We will save discussion on garment finishes for another post, but just briefly, they are used for creating wrinkle-free, stain resistant, flame retardant, anti-static, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, odor-resistant, permanent-press, and non-shrink fabrics.

They can also be used as softening agents, and for creating other easy-care treatments. In fact it is often the dye fixative, used to bond the dye color to the fabric, that causes the most problems. All of these can be particularly challenging for people with chemical sensitivities."

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