This is where a province in China comes in, an industry town called Xintang. This is most known for being the "Jeans Capital of the World", producing over 230 million pairs of jeans each year. This is an outstanding amount, counteracting for 60% of China's total jean production.
Everything from spinning, dyeing and weaving, to cutting, printing, washing, sewing and bleaching- Both children and the elderly fill the streets full of factories, all participating in at least one of these roles to produce the same product day in, day out, by hand.
The dyes used to create our favourite jeans are extremely toxic. Heavy metals are present throughout the whole process. Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Copper and Lead, all extremely dangerous; which can cause problems within the central nervous system and vital organs. Not only is this worrying, but worse, the people surrounded by these toxins are more likely to die from cancer than anywhere else in the world, according to the World Bank study.
Chromium is extremely harmful. Chromium 6 used to be used in furniture production, but they soon realised how this dye used on cottons and leather, could be absorbed into peoples skin over time, causing dangerous after affects. Meaning they stopped using this chemical. So why is it OK for the people in China to be exposed to this? They are putting their lives at risk for the sake of a pair of jeans.
These people can never escape these circumstances. Being at work is no different to being at home. The town is plastered with dye, both on the streets and in the air. This is evident through the protection masks they wear. As you can see below in the images, what would have once been a plain white mask, has now turned blue due to the dye in the air sticking to everything.
All of the waste-water used during production isn't reserved elsewhere and filtered either- it is just let loose into the rivers, leaving a sea of indigo. This water is used to wash with, cook from and drink from. This is allowing every harmful chemical from the dyes into their bodies. Again, causing severe health issues.
It is important for people to realise the impact that a simple, everyday item can affect someone else's life. To the point it causes death. This can change with the help of people supporting the toxic-free fashion campaign over on Greenpeace. The campaigners are challenging some of the world's most popular clothing brands to work with their suppliers to help eliminate all releases of hazardous chemicals into the water, improving conditions for the workers.
Read more about the campaign here: http://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/news/stories/toxics/2010/textile-pollution-xintang-gurao/
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