To Dye For

How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick--and How We Can Fight Back

De: Alden Wicker

Narrado por: Alden Wicker

A Silent Spring for your wardrobe, To Dye For is a jolting exposé that reveals the true cost of the toxic, largely unregulated chemicals found on most clothing today.

Many of us are aware of the ethical minefield that is fast fashion: the dodgy labor practices, the lax environmental standards, and the mountains of waste piling up on the shores of developing countries. But have you stopped to consider the dangerous effects your clothes are having on your own health? Award-winning journalist Alden Wicker breaks open a story hiding in plain sight: the unregulated toxic chemicals that are likely in your wardrobe right now, how they’re harming you, and what you can do about it.

In To Dye For, Wicker reveals how clothing manufacturers have successfully swept consumers’ concerns under the rug for more than 150 years, and why synthetic fashion and dyes made from fossil fuels are so deeply intertwined with the rise of autoimmune disease, infertility, asthma, eczema, and more. In fact, there’s little to no regulation of the clothes and textiles we wear each day—from uniforms to fast fashion, outdoor gear, and even the face masks that have become ubiquitous in recent years. Wicker explains how we got here, what the stakes are, and what all of us can do in the fight for a safe and healthy wardrobe for all.

This isn’t being talked about enough

I loved this book. The care and detail that went in to her research is astounding. I recommend to all.

listen for your health

good balance of anecdotes, cutting edge early results scientific research and established science. high quality investigative journalism in book format

Eye-opening information 

Great narration. I learned so much about textiles and how they affect her every day life

This is an important book

The author did a great job in pointing out the destruction to our health by chemicals in our clothing. Well presented.

MCS(multiple chemical sensitivities)

It’s so nice to hear about MCS in a book! Most people never heard of it. I had it for years and didn’t know about it. The book mentions this really interesting story about this women that had unprotected sx with her husband and she couldn’t get pregnant. She made a lot of changes and with each session she kept getting more and more fertile. That’s another thing that most people don’t know. How chemicals are affecting infertility. I have a couple of friends who have had a hard time getting pregnant to this day. It talks about how flight attendants got sick from their uniforms. I knew a little bit about this, but it went into more depth. It’s so sad that the Alaska male flight attendant died! I personally know 4 FA that were affected by their uniforms! Hopefully this won’t happen anymore in the future. It talks about the horrible conditions that some people are in other countries, the ones that are making the clothes. I love that she recommends using unscented laundry soap! A fragrance free one is better though. People with MCS can smell others laundry in public! I learned a few good things to know too about how bad dry cleaning is! It’s also cool that the writer mentions fume events too! Something else that most people don’t know about and that can affect passengers health too! I hope from now on all airline uniforms are OEKO-TEX certified! I didn’t know that banker workers and TSA also had problems with their uniforms! You can listen to this 36 minute interview with the writer on NPR for a sneak peak of the book

Life changing read

I tell everyone about this book. I loved listening because I can’t sit still long enough to read a physical book. She does such a great job reading and all the work & research she put into this is just amazing. Only disclaimer is it really makes you want to join a nudist colony. Lol

Interesting Info

This book gave technical information about toxic textile chemicals through digestible storytelling. The personal stories and behind the scenes peaks into industry manufacturing was interesting.

This textile fanatic learned a lot

I am a textile artist both yarn/wool arts and fabrics, having worked at yarn and fabric stores, and having been obsessed about all things fiber for at least four decades. I play a guessing game where I touch a garment and guess which fibers are in the mix. I still learned a great deal.

I was under the impression that synthetic fibers were always solution dyed before creating the fibers which will make up the fabric. I knew about disperse dyes for artists but stuck to safer acid (as in vinegar) dyes and wool/animal fibers.

Wow. No wonder I had a major reaction to polyester touching my skin during the years I worked cutting fabric as my job.

Must read or listen

If you are a woman, a mother, a consumer, have autoimmune or allergies or eczema you must read this. PERIOD.

You are not crazy, super sensitive, and it is not in your head. learn how to protect yourself, your health, and the health of those you love.

Riveting!!! Finished it in 3 days!

Must read!!! Buying copies for friends & family. Complete eye opener …. Incredibly well written. Great job Alden!