Buyer Beware

Before our little sweetie was born, I spent days washing bags and bags of clothing my yummy mummy friends had donated to us. While sorting the tiny garments into piles of 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-18 and 24 months, I was alarmed to see that the majority of clothing, be it from Baby Gap, Old Navy or The Children’s Place, were all manufactured in China. This Asian country’s industry practices are largely scrutinized for their lack of concern for the environment, their de-regulation of safety standards and their unreliability of labeling claims. Upon further research online I found the following excerpts from articles, giving me greater cause for concern:

"A voluntary recall by Australian-based Charles Parsons came two days after the New Zealand government launched an urgent investigation after scientists found dangerous levels of formaldehyde in woolen and cotton clothes made in China.
New Zealand government research agency AgResearch said it was swamped by clothing companies wanting tests on Chinese imports. Scientists testing clothes for TV3's "Target" consumer watchdog program discovered formaldehyde concentrations up to 900 times above the safe level. 

Formaldehyde, a chemical preservative that gives a permanent press effect to clothes and is also used as an embalming fluid, can cause problems ranging from skin rashes to cancer."1

This news is most disturbing as most of the world’s clothes are currently made in China.

"Recent tests in the booming southern province of Guangdong had revealed the presence of aromatic amine, a harmful dye that can cause bladder or urethra cancer if it comes into extended contact with skin, in about 10 percent of inspected children's clothing, the China Daily reported.

The test for aromatic amine was one of eight that took place. Only half the clothes passed all the tests, while a similar nationwide study found 37.8 percent had failed."2

It's a difficult problem. We want low prices and high quality, but we end up supporting cheap products by our buying habits and/or financial constraints. One of the only alternatives is to buy organic. For a mother collecting Employment Insurance during a year long maternity leave, this isn’t a great option. I purchased an organic fitted sheet from a Toronto crafter and it cost thirty dollars – that’s right, a small piece of fabric with an elastic in it. Should have paid more attention in Home Economics class. 
I’ve resolved to buy most of Ivan’s clothing through second hand consignment stores, such as Boomerang Kids in the South Bank Street shopping area, because the more often an article of clothing is washed, the fewer toxic chemicals remain inside the fabric. Also the more washes clothing endures, the fire retardant chemicals are washed away as well but let’s be honest, how long can a baby remain in a fire anyway wearing a fire retardant gown?

 
Notes:

1. International Herald Tribune, The Global Edition of the New York Times, “Chinese-made blankets recalled over formaldehyde content in Australia, New Zealand”, August 21, 2007, Retrieved March 8, 2009 from http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/22/asia/AS-GEN-New-Zealand-China-Clothes-Danger.php

2. BEIJING (Reuters), “China media warns of poison baby bottles, clothes”, May 31, 2006, Retrieved March 8, 2009 from http://www.redorbit.com/news/international/520683/china_media_warn_of_poison_baby_bottles_clothes/index.html