Man-made menace

Polyester is popular, but natural fibres are better.

Polyester is a magical material. It is found in just about everything, from clothes to artificial blood vessels. It is tough, retains its original heat-set shape, doesn't wrinkle easily or retain moisture.

This is why both rich and not-so-rich happily wear it "" some because they cannot afford the upkeep of natural-fibre clothing such as cotton, linen or wool (the washing, bleaching, starching, drying, ironing), and others because its qualities make it suitable for high-fashion designerwear. Demand is rising around the world.

But polyester is made from petroleum, and its manufacture is a chemical-intensive process. So not only does it draw upon our finite supply of fossil fuels, making it can damage the local environment and the health of garment factory workers.

Most manufacturers of artificial fibres are in the developing world; most consumers are not. But even distant and relatively affluent consumers face downstream effects, because of the impact of the industry on global warming, the ozone layer, air pollution and smog, and the output of hazardous wastes.

Even though to some extent polyester can be recycled, most of it ultimately ends up in garbage dumps. Fashion is not a sustainable industry as it now exists.

The Environmental Health Center in Dallas, Texas, reported a few years ago that polyester clothing was after all not always safe to wear. Clothes are frequently treated with various chemicals, including water repellents and fabric dyes.

People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), or those with sensitive skin, prone to eczema and hives, cannot wear polyester. They should wear organic cotton if possible, washed in baking soda and water.

Now that the hot season is upon us, many perspiring polyester-wearers will suffer heat rashes and heightened body odour, unless they spend the day in airconditioned rooms.

Polyester does not breathe well, and doesn't have the "wicking" effect of most natural and some high-tech artificial fibres that draws moisture away from the body, allowing it to evaporate before bacteria flourish.

Science is catching up with nature, though. Ingeo is an artificial corn-based fibre that its manufacturers claim is totally renewable and has all the good qualities of natural fibre, plus a few.

It can be used for clothes as well as food-grade packaging materials. Ingeo has won some converts in high fashion, including Versace. Hopefully the trickle-down effect will take hold soon.