All of the information stated in this article is based on reliable sources and is reproduced in the article.
Preface
You may not think that that new outfit that you have carefully selected may be quietly threatening your health.
In 2022, a CCTV report has attracted widespread attention: there are "deadly poisonous clothes" on the market, and the carcinogen content in them exceeds the standard by up to 27 times!
This number is shocking, but what is even more disturbing is that these seemingly ordinary clothes are able to change the structure of our DNA.
The clothes you wear every day may be eroding your health bit by bit, which may sound like the plot of a science fiction movie, but it is a real problem we face.
So, how exactly did these "poisoned clothes" come about? And what kind of damage do they do to our bodies? More importantly, how can we protect ourselves from falling victim to these invisible killers?
The hidden killer – carcinogens in clothing
When we talk about carcinogens in clothing, formaldehyde is often the first "culprit" to be mentioned, and this harmful substance that is often mentioned in decoration is also lurking in our wardrobes.
Formaldehyde is widely used in the process of garment making, mainly to prevent wrinkles, styling and shrinkage, it is colorless and transparent, with a pungent smell and is easy to be ignored by us.
But don't think that formaldehyde is only found in new clothes, in fact, even clothes that have been worn for a long time can produce formaldehyde if they are not stored properly.
In addition to formaldehyde, aromatic amine dyes are also a hidden danger that cannot be ignored, this dye is favored for its bright color and high firmness, but its harm is little known.
Aromatic amine dyes break down under certain conditions, releasing carcinogens that can penetrate our bodies through the skin and accumulate over time, eventually leading to serious health problems.
What's even more terrifying is that these harmful substances are often colorless and odorless, and we can't identify them through our senses at all, they are like invisible killers, quietly eroding our health.
Long-term exposure to these harmful substances may cause various skin problems, and in severe cases, it may even lead to cancer, which is not alarmist, but has been confirmed by scientific research.
If these clothes contain harmful substances, then our health risks will increase significantly.
As consumers, we have the right and obligation to be aware of these hidden dangers, and only when we are fully aware of the seriousness of the problem can we take effective protective measures.
However, it is not enough to know this, we also need to understand how these "toxic clothes" are produced and how the relevant authorities regulate them, only then can we solve the problem at the source.
The true face of "poisoned clothes".
When we put on a new dress, we rarely think about what kind of production process it has undergone, however, it is in this process that the "poisoned clothes" are quietly born.
Garment production involves many links, from textile, dyeing to printing, shaping, each step may introduce harmful substances, some unscrupulous manufacturers in order to reduce costs, will use inferior raw materials or illegal addition of harmful substances.
For example, they may use dyes containing aromatic amines to make clothes more colorful and durable, and they may overuse formaldehyde-containing finishes to make clothes more structured and less wrinkle-resistant.
While these practices can make clothes look better, they have planted a ticking time bomb for our health.
What's more worrying is that some merchants will use black dyeing in order to deal with unsalable or questionable quality clothes, which not only covers up the original defects of the clothes, but also may introduce more harmful substances.
Therefore, when we see black clothes at a particularly low price, we should be extra vigilant.
Faced with such a situation, we can't help but ask: Isn't there anyone to regulate these issues?
In fact, the State Administration for Market Regulation has been conducting regular spot checks, which check the fiber content, abrasion resistance, water color fastness, and harmful substance content of the clothes.
However, as mentioned in the CCTV report in 2022, even with supervision, there are still some "toxic clothes" entering the market, and in a random inspection, it was found that the carcinogen content of some clothes exceeded the standard by 27 times!
This is a staggering number and a reminder that regulation alone is not enough.
When substandard products are discovered, the relevant departments will take measures such as removing them from the shelves and recalling, but for consumers who have already purchased and used them, the harm may have already been caused.
It's like a cat-and-mouse game, where regulators are constantly stepping up inspections and some unscrupulous businesses are trying to take advantage of loopholes, and in the process, we consumers often become the ultimate victims.
Therefore, as consumers, we cannot rely solely on regulation, and we need to be vigilant and learn to identify and avoid these potential "toxic clothes".
But how do you do that? How can we, the average consumer, identify the potential dangers in the dazzling array of clothing?
How to practice sharp-eyed
We can't afford to sit idly by in the face of the potential threat of "poisoned clothing", and as consumers, we need to have a "sharp eye" to recognize and avoid these hidden dangers.
Learning to read clothing labels is the first step in identification, which seems like a simple small step, but it is actually a big step to protect yourself. Garment labels often indicate the composition of the fabric, how it is washed, and the standards for which the product is performed.
The state has clear classification standards for clothing products, and Class A is the product that comes into direct contact with the skin, with the most stringent requirements; Category B is secondary; Category C is the outer garment that does not directly contact the skin, and when purchasing, try to choose a category A or B product.
In addition, our senses can also make a preliminary judgment, if the newly bought clothes have a pungent smell, it is best to wash them several times before wearing, if the smell persists after washing many times, then we should be extra careful.
Clothes that are too bright in color also need to be wary, although bright colors are attractive, sometimes they can come at the expense of safety, especially some cheap and bright clothes, and be more careful.
Tactile feel is also an important indicator, and if the garment feels sticky to the touch, or has a noticeable plastic feel, it may contain excessive chemicals, and it is best to avoid buying such clothes.
However, the purchase channel is also an important step, try to choose a regular shopping mall or the official online store of a well-known brand, although the price may be slightly more expensive, but at least there is a certain guarantee of security.
On the contrary, those "bargains" from unknown sources should be treated with caution, especially some ultra-low-priced goods under the banner of "foreign trade tail orders", which are likely to be low prices in exchange for sacrificing quality and safety.
For second-hand clothing, it is necessary to be extra careful, although second-hand trading has environmental significance, but there are also safety hazards, if you do not know the source and use history of the clothes, it is best not to buy.
In this regard, it is particularly reminded that for infant clothing, safety standards are higher, because the skin of infants and young children is more sensitive and the resistance is weaker.
In addition to the precautions when purchasing, we should also be vigilant in daily use, if there is skin discomfort after wearing a certain piece of clothing, such as itching, redness and other symptoms, we should consider whether it is a problem with clothes.
In addition, it is best to wash new clothes before wearing, not only for hygiene reasons, but also to remove some residual chemicals, and you can add some baking soda when washing to help neutralize some chemicals.
For some special materials, such as leather goods, it is best to choose a professional dry cleaning service, and do not use improper cleaning methods in order to save money, which may increase the release of harmful substances.
Generally speaking, the water temperature of around 40 degrees is the most suitable, too high water temperature may accelerate the release of chemicals in clothing, and too low water temperature may not be effective in removing stains and chemical residues.
Drying is also an important link, the ultraviolet rays in the sun have a certain effect of sterilization and decomposition of chemicals, so, if conditions permit, try to put the clothes in the sun to dry, but be careful not to expose to the sun, so as not to damage the clothes.
Dress safely
Natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, and wool are not only comfortable to wear, but also relatively safe.
The old saying that cheap is not good is especially applicable in the clothing industry, those clothes that are ridiculously low are likely to be at the expense of quality and safety.
In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the washing instructions, if a piece of clothing is marked "not washable", it is likely because it contains a lot of chemicals, which will affect the appearance of the clothes after washing, so it is best to stay away from such clothes.
For some special material clothes, such as leather clothing, down jackets, etc., it is best to send them to a professional dry cleaner for disposal, home washing may damage the clothes, but increase the release of harmful substances.
In daily maintenance, pay attention to the ventilation of the wardrobe, a closed environment is easy to breed mold, and it will also cause the accumulation of chemicals in the clothes, regularly open the window for ventilation, or place dehumidifier in the wardrobe, which are good choices.
If you notice an odor in your clothes, don't rush to spray perfume or air freshener to cover it up, these products themselves may contain harsh chemicals, and the correct thing to do is to wash them promptly, and if necessary, use vinegar or baking soda for a deep clean.
For clothes that have not been worn for a long time, do not keep them in an airtight wardrobe all the time, and it is best to take them out to dry regularly, which can not only remove odors, but also prevent mildew.
In particular, it should be reminded that some special groups of people should pay special attention, such as pregnant women and infants, their skin is more sensitive and their resistance is weaker.
In addition, if you have allergies, you should choose clothes carefully, it is best to choose natural materials such as cotton, and observe the body's reaction when wearing new clothes, and stop using them immediately once you have uncomfortable symptoms.
Maintaining clothes is not only to prolong the service life of clothes, but also to protect our health, a clean and safe clothing is the clothes that are truly suitable for us.
epilogue
In this era of fashion, we are often attracted by gorgeous appearances, but ignore the dangers hidden behind, and the existence of "deadly poisonous clothes" has sounded the alarm for us.
As consumers, we can not only rely on supervision, but also learn to protect ourselves, by understanding the harmful substances in clothing, learning to identify "toxic clothes", and mastering the correct purchase and maintenance methods, we can add an extra layer of protection to our health.
Resources:
Beiqingwang 2022-11-03"Stop wearing this kind of clothing immediately, carcinogens exceed the standard by 27 times, which will change DNA!" Double 11, don't step on the pit, otherwise saving money will not hurt yourself"
CCTV reported on October 10, 2022 that the carcinogens found in women's clothing exceeded the standard by more than 20 times
Beiqing.com On December 27, 2023, "CCTV exposes "deadly poisonous clothes"! I advise you not to wear this kind of clothes, your liver and kidneys are damaged......"
On August 5, 2019, Science China published "What? There is formaldehyde on the new clothes! Can wearing without washing cause cancer? I regret that it was too late".
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