Environmental Dyes

Traditional dyes like indigo and tyrian purple have given way to synthetic dyes, which require large amounts of energy, chemicals, and water—around 5 trillion liters annually, equivalent to 2 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.  The snail Muricidae is responsible for the color purple, 6,6′-dibromoindigo. This has led to 20% of industrial water pollution globally, with untreated water often illegally discharged into rivers, contributing to severe environmental and health issues. This pollution has been linked to widespread metabolic dysfunction in Americans, with 80% affected, according to the Endocrine Society. The leather tanning process also poses severe health risks to workers in low-income countries due to exposure to harmful substances.

Efforts to find sustainable alternatives have led to innovations like the Swedish startup Mounid’s algae-based dye, which uses 90% less energy and water than conventional methods. However, scaling these alternatives to meet the demands of the fashion industry remains a challenge. As we consider the brightly colored clothes we wear, it’s crucial to think about the environmental toxins we’re exposed to and the broader implications of our fashion choices. The next part of the series will delve into the fate of unused clothes and further explore how both doctors and patients can address these environmental concerns.