Egyptian Cotton

Why Do Cotton Growers Use Chemicals?

Technically, anything and everything we see, touch or feel is a chemical of some sort. However, when people use this term in daily conversation, they are usually referring to man-made (synthetic) chemicals.

Cotton crops are frequently plagued by numerous pests, the Cotton Boll Weevil being the most well known. Boll Weevil larvae feed on the growing cotton bolls and make the cotton unusable. A infestation can wipe out an entire cotton crop and bankrupt the grower. To protect their livelihood, cotton growers have become increasingly dependant on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Some experts estimate that the cotton industry is responsible for approximately 1/4 the world wide use of these products.

Due to the well documented harm caused by DDT and other early synthetic pesticides, the public has become quite fearful about any “chemical” used in agriculture. Some consumers worry that the cotton fibers in the Cal King sheet sets they just purchased might still be coated with toxic chemical residues.

Is this worry justified? What options do consumers have available? Read the following articles and find out.