Formaldehyde in Clothing

Many people don't know that fabric is often processed with formaldehyde; in "When Wrinkle-Free Clothing Means Formaldehyde Fumes," the New York Times lays it out. Do you ever wonder about that weird chemical smell that you sometimes notice when you walk into a cheap discount clothing store? That's formaldehyde. And one more reason that a truly sustainable approach to apparel and textiles means not just the growing or production method, but processing, dyeing, and finishing methods too, as well as labor and social issues, and transportion and distribution. Design and craftsmanship matter too. To make even incremental changes in this complex global industry, we must consider all of these aspects.