why organic?
according to the Organic Trade Association, organic refers to the way agricultural products – food and fiber – are grown and processed. organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers.
national organic standards require organic growers and handlers be certified by a third-party state, private agency or other organization that is accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
organic agriculture protects the health of people and the planet by reducing overall exposure to toxic chemicals from synthetic pesticides that can end up in the ground, air, water and food supply. toxic chemicals can be damaging to overall health and associated with health consequences from asthma to cancer. organic products are grown using methods and materials that have low impact on the environment.
babies’ delicate immune systems are extremely sensitive, new to the environment and not yet strong enough to fend off chemicals and pesticides used in conventional products. parents can make informed decisions by choosing organic baby products that minimize exposure to toxic chemicals which can be damaging to overall health and give baby a chance at a pure beginning. buying organic baby products is a great way for parents to take “baby steps” toward a greener lifestyle – it’s eco-friendly, healthier, sustainable and naturally softer!
according to the Organic Trade Association . . .
-conventional cotton is one of the most environmentally unfriendly crops grown anywhere in the world – uses approximately 25% of the world’s insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides. (Allan Woodburn)
-cotton ranks third behind corn and soybeans in total amount of pesticides sprayed – 55 million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 12.8 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. in 2003. (USDA)
-it takes 1/3 pound of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) to produce one conventional cotton t-shirt.
-the Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States as "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos and trifluralin). (EPA)
