11. Biocides

These are used in textile finishing as antifungal or antibacterial agents. They are normally organotin or quaternary ammonium compounds which are toxic in nature may cause health problem.

12. Flame retardants

Flame retardant chemicals are used in the textile finishing to give flame resistance property to the textile fabrics. The commonly used flame retardant chemicals are 2,3 dibromopropyl phosphate, polybrominated bi phenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and high concentration of these chemicals in textile may cause impairment of immense system, hypothyroidism, memory loss and joint stiffness.

13. Colour fastness (Staining)

Colour fastness is related to the degree of bleeding of colours from the textile while washing, rubbing, sweating, etc. The dyes or pigments with poor colour fastness may be released with sweat and could be absorbed through skin and may result in health problem. So improving colour fastness can reduce this risk and the commonly recommended colour fastness tests for textile are washing, rubbing, perspiration and saliva (for kids).

14. Determination of odour

Many chemicals used in textile processing have tendency to release odour. The residues of chemicals at higher concentration may cause health hazards like respiratory problem etc.

15. Release of nickel

Various metal accessories like buttons, zippers, etc. that are used in garments are made of alloys which found to be having nickel. These nickel presence may be allergic to some people when the accessories are in contact with body for a prolonged time and these may result in serious skin irritation. An order (Directive 94/27/EC) has been issued by European Union to limit the use of nickel. According to this order the following three methods are used for analysis of nickel content:

i) EN1810 ii) EN1811 iii) EN12472

Conclusion

Global warming is the serious issue that the world is now facing and the main reason for this is environmental pollution, which is contributed by many industries throughout the world. Eco-textile is a remedial measure that the textile and apparel industry that adopts to reduce this environmental pollution and its commitment to the ecological care. Each and every manufacture of textile should commit themselves to produce eco-friendly textile products which are the need of the hour, nowadays.