The Harmful Effect of Non-Cotton Fabric on Children’s Health in Abeokuta Township of Ogun State

Clothes are important covering for children’s body and can serve as an effective means of ensuring their healthy growth and development. This study examines the harmful effect of non-cotton fabric on children’s health in Abeokuta township of Ogun State. One hundred mothers and care givers were purposively randomly selected from three government owned and one private hospitals in the study area. Data collection was through the means of questionnaire comprising of 20 questions on the subject matter and the questionnaires collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result reviewed cotton, polyester, spandex, rayon, acrylic and nylon as fabric materials used for children clothing. Also body heat, blistering and redness of skin, sweating and eczema are identified as possible effect of non-cotton fabric for children clothing. In conclusion, children’s clothing should be thoroughly washed in non-toxic detergent, sundried and ironed to kill harmful chemicals from organic or natural fibre materials. The study recommends that synthetic and chemical treated fabrics should be avoided for children’s wears and government should regulate raw materials used in the production of children clothing by fabric/textiles industry.