Here are two articles that are more balanced than the FTC piece. The second article has detailed info on various manufacturing processes of bamboo and also some of the positive points of bamboo. Please keep in mind that cotton growers and manufacturers are powerful influences in Washington, and they have a vested interest in wiping out competition... I'd like to see cotton clothing labeled for all the toxins that are in it! 

greencotton.wordpress.com/2007/10/02/bamboo-miracle-plant-vs-troublesome- fiber/

organicclothing.blogs.com/my_weblog/2007/09/bamboo-facts-be.html

My bamboo clothing wicks moisture away naturally, it does not emit odors, like wet cotton gets (and neither do my bamboo towels or kitchen towelletes), it is wonderfully soft on the skin and non irritating - perhaps the most comfortable fabric I\'ve ever worn. It gets softer and nicer when you wash it, it doesn\'t pile and it seems to last a long time. There are many, many positive aspects of bamboo fabric and one must also consider the downsides of even organic cotton which uses a lot of soil resources.

If it were polycropped, organic cotton might be better than bamboo on a Life Cycle rating, but that remains to be seen - the current common way of growing cotton organically, in large monocrop fields, is not sustainable. If forests are cut down to grow bamboo, that is not sustainable either.

Anyway, I think the most positive thing that could come out of the FTC statement is that more bamboo manufacturers will be encouraged to come up with less toxic production methods. The statement is misleading because some of them are already doing that.

If I might add my two cents on this topic, Debra I do think you should reconsider your endorsement of Bamboo fabric companies because of the awareness of the processing involved to turn hardy bamboo into yarn for weaving.

While bamboo is a very sustainable material and should be used for hardline products (where it keeps it in it's natural woody form), I feel that the negative impacts on human health and the environment are enough to justify not supporting bamboo fabrics produced with the use of chemicals like sodium hydroxide. If you look up material databases and search for research done on sodium hydroxide you will find that there is a cause for concern with this substance. While bamboo fabrics may not directly expose you to this compound, it still requires it's presence in the environment and can lead to exposure through other means, like the soil, air and water.

On the issue of odor control, a much much more sustainable and healthy alternative is Merino Wool. Albeit considerably more expensive, this fabric has the same soft, silky feel of bamboo without the worry of toxic chemicals involved in the processing. I own a couple of Icebreaker T-shirts that are absolutely my favorite shirts. I want to wear them all the time, even more than my organic cotton ones. I also own merino wool socks from Icebreaker and I can wear a single pair 3-4 days in a row without washing them because they don't stink after a single day of wearing like regular socks do.

Most of the merino wool produced in the world as far as I know comes from New Zealand, which is a considerable distance to many of it's markets, but when you think about how safe and truly sustainable it is, you realize that it doesn't require a whole lot of energy intensive inputs to produce, like cotton or bamboo.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there since I haven't heard a lot about this material on the blog. Debra, definitely look into this and let me know what you think of merino wool.

A few comments:

1) First I think there is a disconnect between what I perceive the word "toxic" to mean and I guess what you define it as. If it's something that is corrosive and is included in a drain cleaner, I don't see how something like that is not toxic to the human body, or at least harmful, to use another word to describe it. I guess what we should be talking about is whether it is safe to humans and other life when using it in fabric processing. As far as I understand it it is a corrosive compound that according to NFPA 704 has a rating of 3 for human health which says "Short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate residual injury". I am aware of the concentrations of this chemical in things like food being very low (near 1%) but it is still I think alarming that something like this is used for products that we come into direct contact, both inside and outside the body.

When you say "you will die if you drink it, but it's not toxic", that sounds like a complete contradiction. I guess you need to define what you think the word toxic means.

2) While it is true that there are few products that are 100% perfect, shouldn't we at least be honest about the processing that occurs even among the eco-friendly fibers? I recently learned that organic cotton imported from abroad is still treated with chemicals during shipping to prevent pests from being attracted and most shirts made of organic cotton with prints on them contain PVC in the plastisol inks. I think it's important to support organic cotton and other renewable and eco-friendly materials, but we also need to educate the public about the full lifecycle impact of what they are buying.

In addition to the education I'm advocating, we as citizens need to communicate to business leaders in charge of these products to tell them we don't support the use of harmful chemicals in their products. This will help ensure that businesses are held accountable.

3) On the topic of environmental impact of sodium hydroxide, can you cite any other resources that have studied the impact of this chemical once it enters the water, air, soil? The ASTDR may make these claims that it doesn't bioaccumulate and that it readily breaks down into component molecules in water, but there is no information that says whether this negatively or positively impacts the environment. Also, every claim must be questioned, regardless of the source of the information.

4) Also, in your last paragraph you bring up renewable resources. Is Sodium Hydroxide made from a renewable resource? I'm asking because I honestly don't know. I assume it's synthesized from petroleum like most chemicals out there, but I could be wrong there. I would welcome this information if you have it.

Thanks and appreciate your comments,
Erik

Debra,

I commend you for your doing your due diligence, prior to writing about this issue. Most articles that I have run across, do little more than repurpose the FTC's bamboo witch hunt. They are either too lazy, or just aren't interested in presenting the facts of the issue.

The truth is...determining the carbon footprint or environmental impacts of bamboo fabric or any other fabric, for that matter, would be a very complicated endeavour, to say the least.

There are few places on the web, where one can find detailed, reliable information about the other side of this case. As an example: The FTC states that bamboo fibers are rayon/viscose, in one breath. Then they state that bamboo *rayon* is not biodegradable. (by their definition, which I'm very familiar with)

Yet, it is well published and documented in scientific journals, and among textile experts--that rayon is a biodegradable fabric.

This is but one small point among many that I could cite.

If we use the FTC's standards for bamboo fabric, for a head of lettuce, that lettuce would not be considered biodegradable. Does this really help the consumer that is concerned about decomposition, and is comparing bamboo or cotton...to polyester?

I am not, and never have been, interested in touting bamboo as the most eco-friendly fabric that one could purchase. If the *green* factor is of paramount concern for someone, then they would probably be best served by making due with the 70% of the clothes that they already have in their closet, but aren't using. Alternatively, one could go shopping at a thrift store, and buy used. (Don't forget to ride your bike or walk to the thrift store)

Another point that few journalists have taken notice of:

"FTC Charges Companies with 'Bamboo-zling' Consumers with False Product Claims"

As you know...that is taken directly from the FTC's article/website. Does that read like the title of a document that you would expect to see put out by our government? (yes, I'm biased) But, it sure reads like a negative marketing/advertising campaign that one might expect to come from a competitor of the bamboo industry. Just saying!

Also, for those that may not be aware--The FTC has demonstrated gross incompetence and ineptness, in the past. They have been accused...by Federal Judges, of charging small businesses with various violations, and then presenting 0 evidence too support their case. And yes, they have lost plenty of cases. I'm sure they would have lost many more, but most small businesses do not have the resources to take on the government.

We have written many blog posts specifically addressing, and breaking down these allegations, so that people can learn of the other (less reported on) side of this issue.

You can find these posts @ blog.greenearthbamboo.com

The most current post is not on this topic, but you will find many posts, in the right nav bar, that will provide a lot of insight on this issue.

Thank you Debra,

Doug