Organic cotton is cotton from non-genetically modified plants, that was grown

without use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers what can end up in the air, water, ground and food supply. Organic cotton production improve environmental biodiversity and promote balance of ecosystems. All cotton sold as organic in the USA must meet special requirements which are regulated by National Organic Program from USDA covering how the cotton is grown.

All organic cotton producers are required to meet standards of Organic Food Production Act of 1990, enforced by The State Organic Program The first organic cotton project started 1990 in Egypt. Today organic cotton is grown in over 22 countries. The leading countries in successful organic cotton production are: 1.India 2.Turkey 3.China 4.Syria 5.Tanzania 6.United States 7.Uganda 8.Peru 9.Egypt 10.Burkina Faso

Here are some facts about non-organic cotton (OTA):

Cotton covers 2.5% of the world's cultivated land Conventional cotton uses approximately 25% of the word's insecticides Non-organic cotton uses more than 16% of the world's pesticides Over 2.03 billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers were applied to conventional cotton in 2000 (142 pounds/acre), making cotton the fourth most heavily fertilized crop behind corn, winter wheat, and soybeans. The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States as "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin). The consumer suffers from chemicals in garments since non-organic cotton textiles irritate consumers' skin, as they can also cause neurodermatitis (chemical residues stay verifiable even in the ready-made garment). Chemicals used in the cotton processing contaminate the environment and decrease it's biodiversity

products made up of organic cotton:

Personal care items (cotton puffs, feminine hygiene products, sanitary products, ear swabs, make-up removal pads) Home furnishings (sheets, bedding, blankets, pillows, towels, bathrobes, tableclothes, napkins) Clothes (mens, womens and childrens clothing in a wide variety of styles) Children's products (toys, diapers) Stationery Note cards

Benefit of organic cotton

Elimination of the pesticides and other toxic chemicals used in cotton Reduced risk of people getting dangerous carcinogens from the cotton Protection and conservation of environment Increasing of biodiversity

Organically grown crops also yield soils with higher organic matter content, thicker topsoil depth, higher polysaccharides content, and lower modulus of rupture, therefore reducing considerably soil erosion

Organic fibre market

In 2006, organic fiber linens and clothing sales in the United States grew by 26 percent over the previous year, to reach $203 million, according to the Organic Trade Association's 2007 Manufacturer Survey. According to the 2006 edition of this survey, women's clothing accounted for 36 percent of total organic fiber consumer sales in 2005, amounting to $57 million in sales. Men's and child/ teen clothing grew 56 and 52 percent, respectively, in 2005, while infant's clothing/cloth diapers grew 40 percent and accounted for $40 million in sales.

Presented by: Amit Airan Pgfd,SectionA