Millions of Americans work hard to stay healthy.

Millions of Americans work hard to stay healthy. However, studies have shown that some sportswear can have a negative impact on the health and environment of the wearer. This is why more manufacturers are interested in applying functional cotton products to their collections.

Although many companies use synthetic fibers to produce sportswear, the reality is that consumers prefer cotton sportswear. When comparing cotton sportswear to synthetic sportswear, most consumers (51%) said they prefer cotton sportswear, while only 12% prefer polyester sportswear. Six out of 10 consumers said that according to the US Cotton International Activewear Study, cotton sportswear is the most sustainable (75%) and comfortable (69%) compared to synthetic fibers. Reliable (61%), and breathable (60%).

Although the sportswear industry is currently dominated by synthetic fibers due to consumer preferences. The most common of these is polyester fiber, but in Erica Fyvie's book, “Garbage Revolution: Breaking the Garbage Cycle,” writes that 700,000 barrels of oil a year is used to produce polyester fiber.

Of course, other companies have been trying to make environmentally friendly products from used plastic bottles. However, the plastic bottles and the resulting polyester fibers are made of polyethylene terephthalate or PET, which is extracted from crude oil. The bottles are pulverized and the residue is mixed with chemicals and water, dried into pellets, then melted and extruded into polyester yarn.

Advantages of cotton clothing

A study by the University of Ghent in Belgium found that irritating sweat bacteria  on the skin are more likely to grow on synthetic fabrics. People in the fitness bike class wear shirts made of natural or synthetic fibers. The shirts were then thrown into plastic bags and stored in the dark for 28 hours, after which scientists determined that synthetic fiber textures smelled worse. In addition, scientists have found that the micrococcal bacteria in polyester shirts are significantly more than the microbacteria in cotton shirts. Skin bacteria consume chemicals in the sweat, producing a pungent odor compound. Natural fibers like cotton absorb sweat and prevent odors from growing. Avoid microbes that multiply on synthetic fibers.

According to the Lifestyle MonitorTM research, nearly half of consumers (45%) believe that clothing made from polyester has the biggest odor problem compared to cotton and rayon.

Sportswear brands and retailers should consider that, in general, most consumers (51%) are dissatisfied with the use of branded synthetic fibers to replace cotton fibers in sportswear. In addition, according to a lifestyle survey study, more than half of consumers (55%) are willing to pay more to keep their favorite sportswear rich in cotton. Nearly half (49%) of these consumers are computer monitor arm  doing this because cotton sportswear is more comfortable to wear, and 34% said cotton sportswear is more durable.

Secret column|Sports fashion needs healthy fabrics

Cotton and environmental protection

Consumers' understanding that cotton is environmentally friendly is correct. Producing polyester fiber requires more energy than producing cotton fiber. Heidy Rehman, founder of British slow fashion company Rose & Wield, said that the energy required to produce a ton of polyester fiber is 29,000 to 35,000 kWh, while cotton requires only 7,000 kWh. In addition, the Stockholm Environment Institute concluded that the production of one ton of polyester fiber uses much more energy and carbon emissions than natural fibers such as cotton. For example, the carbon emissions per ton of polyester are 7.2-95 kg, and the carbon emissions per ton of cotton are equivalent to 2.35 to 5.89 Kg.

The microparticle problem is another problem with sportswear. A survey by the ORB media showed that plastic microparticles discharged from clothing contaminated tap water around the world during the washing process. The research from the University of Plymouth, UK, determined that plastic microparticles are flowing from washing machines to rivers and lakes around the world. Scientists worry that these particles are consumed by marine organisms, thereby poisoning the food chain. In addition, since these fibers are basically made of plastic, in some cases they will take decades or even decades to estimate their ability to decompose in water, while cotton is estimated to be in a few months. It will degrade inside.

On the other hand, a study of composting facilities conducted by Cornell University in 2010 showed that cotton degraded much faster than polyester fibers. The innovative technologies developed by the US Cotton Company have created a competitive advantage for manufacturers who want to produce natural cotton sportswear. TransDRY® technology absorbs sweat and spreads quickly, making cotton fabrics dry faster and better than most high-tech synthetic fabrics. WICKING WINDOWSTM moisture wicking technology helps to reduce the feel of wet fabrics sticking to the skin surface. STORM COTTONTM technology protects the wearer from the outside world because it is a breathable, waterproof cotton fabric finishing technique.

According to Fashionbi, an analytics consultancy in the fashion and luxury goods industry, consumers should wear and use natural fibers, such as cotton, to prevent health and ecological problems.

“The fashion and textile industry, through research and technological advancement, should develop more and more innovative and sustainable fibers and fabrics to prevent potential health and environmental hazards.”