Bamboo is regarded as aneco-friendly material because of its remarkable attributes. It requires verylittle water, and grows faster up to one foot in a day. It is naturallyregenerative, and is one of the fastest growing plants; reaching maturity in aminimum period of 4 years. Bamboo stalks are converted into raw fibres, andfabrics are manufactured from the fibres. It has lesser impact on environmentalissues as compared with conventional cotton and other petroleum derived nylon,and synthetic fibres. Synthetic fibre manufacturing involves heavy chemicalslike nitrogen and sulfur oxides which pose a threat to human health.Cultivation of conventional cotton involves a requirement of large quantitiesof water. A data states that conventional cotton consumes more water than anyother agricultural commodity. In comparison, no such requirements are presentfor growing bamboo. It is environmentally friendly and can be considered as apotential substitute of conventional cotton fibres. Bamboo fibres are 100 percentbio-degradable.
Despite of all the positives,bamboo fabrics comprise some shortcomings as well. Like all cellulose fibres bamboofibres also generally allow more moisture to drip in facilitating more food forthe bacteria. Due to this wetness, of the fibres bacteria grow more on naturalfibres rather than synthetic fibres. They create unpleasant odors. Apart fromthis, raw bamboo fabric allows the ultraviolet (UV) radiation pass through itand touch the skin. So the untreated bamboo fabric was not havinganti-bacterial abilities.
Research scientists have nowdiscovered a new way of making bamboo fabric. This fabric possesses resistanceability against the suns damaging UV radiation, and also has anti-bacterialproperties. Bamboo fabric is dyed with special UV absorbing chemicals. Thisresulted in a reduction of bacterial presence in the fabric up to aconsiderable extent. This is a significant improvement over the untreatedbamboo fabric. This fabric is anti-static and holds to the skin in a perfectway. It is a perfect type of clothing for people who are prone to skin problemsand allergies.
This chemically treated bamboofabric shows 75 80 percent of reduction of bacterial presence. Due to itsanti-bacterial abilities, it can be used as sanitary clothing in hospitals. Whentesting for UV radiation, and absorbing capabilities, a value above 50 isconsidered to be good, and this chemically treated bamboo fabric has a UVprotection value up to 56. The chemical presence in the fabric is said to remainconsistent even after multiple washes. They kill the odor causing bacteria thatlive on human skin. They further posses insulating properties that keep thewearer warm during winters and vice versa. Clothing made from these fibres tendsto be light and strong with an excellent drape of silk.
Some companies use chemicals tobleach the fibres and make it white, but companies that focus on producingorganic clothes use the fibres unbleached. This fabric is currently availablein China, Japan, India and a few other countries. The versatile features ofthis fabric, makes it an excellent choice of designers. Due to its UVprotecting and antibacterial abilities, this fabric will soon find its way intomany retail outlets and will be used in hospitals and sanitary clothing. Iforganic clothing made from bamboo becomes popular, it will lead to more bambooplantations, more photosynthesis and less green house gas effects. Thus one ofthe critical problems facing mankind will become easier to solve.
References:
2) http://www.thegreenguide.com
4) http://www.siliconindia.com
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