Polyester is used to make clothes and many other products.
Indorama, a polyester producer, states that polyester is, "The most affordable and highly consumed fiber in the world." Polyester is derived from both natural gas and crude oil. Two main components are monoethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid. This highly used fiber has been linked to many health problems, including respiratory illness.
Function
In the 1950s, polyester began to be marketed as a fabric. The strands are very strong and can be used for many products from clothes to upholstery in cars and on furniture. Today polyester is typically blended with other fibers to create a softer, stretchy feel.
Polyester is made from the active ingredient in plastic drinking bottles. Recycled bottles are reused to make polyester fibers.
Considerations
Advanced Plastics provides cautionary information to companies that purchase polyester for manufacturing. Companies handling polyester must use precautions when working with polyester resins. According to Advanced Plastics, polyester resins have styrene, which can cause respiratory tract problems, skin or eye irritations. Recommendations are to wear safety eye wear, protective clothing and impermeable gloves. Washing after handling the product is recommended.
The company goes on to say that because styrene is a solvent, it may be harmful if inhaled. Users are warned not to ingest vapors or breathe dust or spray mists while handling polyester. Respirators are recommended when using or applying polyester and ventilation is recommended.
These cautions and warnings are for the manufacturing aspect of polyester. However, end consumers have also been linked to health problems from polyester exposure.
Expert Insight
In "Natural Health" magazine, Tina Spangler wrote an article called "Is Your Bedroom Making You Sick?" She states, "Polyester percale sheets (and blankets) are actually just soft thermoplastic, which is made from petrochemicals. The least comfortable and most harmful bed linens you can buy are polyester 'no-iron' sheets." She explains that they are made from petrochemicals (polyester) and formaldehyde.
Antimony Connection
According to a 2002 Article in Green at Work, "Transforming the Textile Industry," much of the polyester made uses antimony as a catalyst substance. Antimony is toxic to the lungs as well as the heart, liver and skin. Long-term exposure can cause emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Potential
Due to the health concerns of polyester, a new eco-intelligent polyester is being designed. Victor Innovatex is a company that is producing antimony-free polyester. The material is also chlorine free and PBT (chemicals that store in body tissue) free. Fifty-seven chemicals were found in the polyester manufacturing at Victor Innovatex. That number has been decreased to fifteen. The designers and engineers at Victor Innovatex are committed to producing fabrics that positively impact both humans and the environment.
