Ahead of our attendance at day 2 of the New York Home Fashions Market September 2017 meeting I thought I would review a paper we produced some time back about textiles & allergies. It also coincides with the released of our wrap up report and video blog of the Summer 2017 Seminar Series organized by Texworld USA, in New- York. I used a lot of this content at my recent key note at the Textile Sourcing show seminars series. The data in the article is as relevant to today’s industry experts as it was when it was originally published. Did you know those facts about textiles & allergies?
- The US National Institutes of Health and the Centres for Disease Control have both recently highlighted the sharp rise in incidence of allergies and asthma in America.
- Nearly 70% of USA households are affected by asthma & allergies
There are many legal pitfalls when testing textiles for allergy claims and confusing terms like ‘hypoallergenic’ and ‘dust mite proof’ can make it harder. This article will assist you in deciding which path to take as a textile manufacturer and will save you time and money in product development.
- What is the difference between an ‘allergen barrier’ and ‘dust mite proof’?
This is a common area of confusion. The phrase ‘dust mite proof’ is often used but is more appropriate to a filling. It often is meant to refer to the fact that dust mites do not breed and multiply in the environment often due the filling having a particular treatment. It is important to note that when a textile is claiming that it is an allergen barrier, it is claiming to block allergen particles such as Fel d 1 particles (i.e. cat allergen) which are less than 10μm in diameter and the mite faecal pellets, Der p 1 which ranges between 10μm and 40μm. The dust mite itself has a size of 250μm to 300μm. The best way to assess allergen barrier is using tests such as the Allergen Barrier Test with Airflow and Simulated Use Allergen Barrier Test. The degree of anti‐dust mite activity of treated textiles in a controlled environment can be assessed on a small scale using the AAATC 194‐2008 test method and is commonly referred to as the ‘heat escape’ method. Large climate controlled chamber models or field tests may give more meaningful data. While fulfilling this test make sure the textile still has good comfort physiology. The comfort of a fabric can be assessed by a number of parameter such as Air Permeability (ISO 9237) and Water Vapour Resistance (ISO 11092).
- Is thread count or pore size helpful for allergy claims?
In the March 2011 article in Home Textiles Today Editor in Chief Jennifer Marks highlighted the confusion over ‘thread count inflation’ and its lack of meaning. Jennifer expects to see thread count identification to drop into obscurity on packaging. The issue over thread count has a further relevance for people wishing to make decisions with regards to pore size and allergen barrier efficacy. The tendency for many retailers to associate pore size with thread count and hence the bedding textile’s ability to block allergens is incorrect. Pore size is often measured using bubble point as it is quick and fairly easy to do, however due to unopened pores and pore size variation it is probably better to do scanning electron microscopy or projection microscopy which also has the added benefit of image generation. These images will also illustrate the warp and weft of the fabric demonstrating how the high threads count can be claimed but with no added benefit in pore size. Pore size often only loosely correlates with allergen filtration efficacy and there are a number of factors that contribute to this including van der vaals forces and allergen conformation
- What do I need to know about EPA regulations or EU directives for pesticides
Regulatory bodies in the USA, Canada and the Europe such as the EPA are increasingly strict with the interpretation of allergen avoidance products and you need to be careful. Essentially any product that makes dust mite claims runs the risk of being classified as BIOCIDAL under this legislation. Many companies are dramatically narrowing the product claims they make in Europe after meeting government officials. Retailers are increasingly risk averse in this area and product recalls are rising. Make sure that your allergy marketing material passes the tech/reg department for your clients’ and more importantly the test method you have used is acceptable to their legal department. Key words Allergy textiles asthma standards EPA pesticides Air Permeability (ISO 9237) Water Vapour Resistance (ISO 11092) thread count
Related Links
CONSUMER PRODUCTS TREATED WITH PESTICIDES The presence of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses) in or on various items has become of increased concern to consumers.
FORMALDEHYDE IN CLOTHING GAO study confirms that levels are low and health risk is likely very small
FTC TO MATTRESS COMPANIES: DON’T PAD YOUR GREEN CLAIMS If you or your clients make environmental marketing claims, don’t sleep on three actions the FTC just announced against companies that sell mattresses.
HOME FASHION PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION HFPA serves to advance the growth of the global home fashion product industry by setting standards for excellence through technical product compliance, advocacy, and awareness efforts.
