It is not easy to determine the extent of the textile industry affecting our country’s environment, since for decades major brands have shifted production to emerging economies where looser safety and environmental rules – and low labour costs – have allowed them to sell clothing at often rock-bottom prices. Most fashion apparel and fabrics are produced in Asia, so we should focus on the pollution levels in those countries too.
There are two areas where the textile industry can be harmful: water consumption (both for growing natural fibers and industrial activity) as well as water and air chemical pollution. Chemicals generation is massively intensive in this industry: fibres dyes, printing and finishing are extremely harmful. The waste waters from these processes are toxic and pollute important rivers like Ebro, in the north-east of Spain. The textile industry is responsible for the 25% of waters pollution in our country, and the figures are increasing more and more due to the “fast fashion” phenomenon. These dangerous poisonous discharges affect human health, wild life and the environment.
Map of the distribution by autonomous communities of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) concentrations, one of the alkyl perfluorinated substances found in a multitude of products and industrial processes and that may pose a risk to health. Credit: José Antonio Peñas / SINC.
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