Your clothing could be killing you. Workers at H&M stores in
Germany have been getting sick, and the culprit may be traces of toxic
chemicals used to dye and soften the fabrics. This sobering documentary
moves from the shelves of Europe's giant discount retailers to the
textile plants of Tirupur, India, where workers wade in baths of toxic
bleaches and dyes, unaware of the health risks. Other chemicals are
discovered in toys shipped from China, or trapped in the containers
that transport the goods, waiting to poison the port workers that open
them. (A scene at a conference of Dutch transport unions underlines the
point with chilling immediacy.) With recent concerns over contaminated
food and toys making international headlines, The Toxins Return is a
timely look at how banned substances like Methyl Bromide infiltrate our
wardrobes and nurseries.
