A new business has been launched in Cornwall specialising in providing an organic alternative for work uniforms.
A report in the Daily Mail earlier this year – ‘Toxic dyes, lethal logos, cotton drenched in formaldehyde… How your clothes could poison you’ – raised concerns that synthetic materials are poisoning our uniformed workforce.
It said many big clothing chains are using formaldehyde to give their wares a fresh, unwrinkled appearance and prevent mildew during shipping, with detrimental effects on the wearer.
Natural Fabrics Clothing, based in Goldsithney, launched this month, and instead uses an “exclusive mix” of bamboo and organic cotton for its range of work uniforms.
Its MD, Richard Hamilton, explained: “Allergies and ill health are on the rise as clothing is drenched in chemicals and toxic dyes. Just as importantly these polyester type products are uncomfortable to wear and simply unsustainable in terms of the effects of their production.”
Hamilton says that for over 70 years, petrol-based synthetic fabrics have formed the basis for work wear, in particular uniforms, throughout the world, with “cheap Far East production” dominating the market.
With a 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton mix developed exclusively for Natural Fabrics, its material, says Hamilton, will bring all of the benefits of natural fibres such as anti-bacterial properties which are so important in any clinical application, alongside being hypoallergenic and anti-fungal – perfect for sensitive or allergy prone skin.
