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Canada Business News and Press Releases
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(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 03, 2010 ) Emyvale, PEI. Adrian Desbarats, President of Fashion and Earth, said 'If you search the internet, you will find numerous references to the anti-microbial capability of rayon from bamboo clothing. It is a proven fact that the bamboo plant has a natural resistance to pest and fungal infestation due to an ant-microbial agent known as bamboo “kun”.'
Mr. Desbarats explained "There are two articles that you will find regularly referenced, specifically: The Japan Textile Inspection Association apparently tested bamboo fabric for antimicrobial activity and it was found found to cause “70% death rate of bacteria.” China Industrial Testing Center (CTITC) tested one hundred percent bamboo fabric over a 24-hour incubation period with bacterial strain type Staphylococcus aureous. After the 24-hour period the numbers of live bacteria were counted in each sample. The results showed that “100% bamboo fabric exhibits 99.8% antibacterial kill rate.”
"Both of these articles were from the web site of China Bambro Textile Inc. I am not sure if this site is the originator of these articles but you can certainly find these two articles referenced by many other sites elsewhere.
As a scientist myself, I was always suspicious that the bamboo “kun” could possibly survive the heat and chemical treatment process to which the raw fiber is exposed during the manufacturing process. When I asked China Bambro Textile for copies of these articles they were never provided. I then asked a contact at the Canadian Embassy in Japan to search for the first article. The article could not be found nor could he even find any institution by the name Japan Textile Inspection Association." he continued.
"I have since been in contact with a research group at the Colorado State University that has been trying to determine if untreated viscose fabric from bamboo clothing does or does not have anti-microbial capability. Although the work is still on-going, the preliminary results suggest that there is no significant anti-microbial activity (Ajoy Sarkar, personal communication)."
"Personally, I do not see this as a big deal nor should you" commented Mr. Desbarats.
Bamboo rayon has many genuine qualities. Due to its fiber structure it has a natural ability to breathe providing greater thermal stability over cotton or polyester. In other words, the textile keeps you cooler in summer and warmer in winter then another fiber of equivalent weight. It has the ability to absorb water 3-4 times faster versus cotton giving bamboo fiber the ability to wick moisture away from the body. Bamboo textiles are naturally wrinkle resistant and require less laundering care versus cotton or hemp.
Mr. Desbarats concluded "But, the real benefit of wearing rayon from bamboo clothing, organic cotton clothing or any other sustainable clothing is the reduced impact to the environment. Any of the added benefits are just gravy."
Adrian Desbarats, President of Fashion and Earth, beginning with a background as a biologist, has a passionate desire to balance the needs of the environment with the needs of humans. Visit http://www.fashionandearth.com to shop for stylish and eco-friendly clothing for women.
Join a community of women who care about the future of their families, and the future of our planet. Visit http://www.fashionandearth.com.
Fashion and Earth
Adrian Desbarats
902-675-2217
adesbarats@fashionandearth.com 
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