Restricting indoor pollution with Organic Wool - "Futuristic Sustainable Interiors"

Abstract

The home textiles in today’s time are the source of a lot of air pollution / bad air quality in our daily life with chemicals like Formaldehyde, benzene, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), etc. emitted from synthetic material source posing threat to our health.  The paper describes various hazards of using synthetic fabrics and/or synthetic finishes in home textile sector that create poor air quality. Further, it explains the harm to the environment due to existing production process of the textiles. Organic wool of indigenous origin is proposed as an alternative to synthetic materials and textiles. The sustainable and eco-friendly textile of Gaddi tribe (semi-nomadic) existing in our rural economy of Himalayan region is explored through design experimentation in natural dyes and modern weaves. The product has the potential of fulfilling the home textile needs of commercial market, at the same time, giving employment opportunity to women of the tribe.

The shepherds live in combined families and one or two of the menfolk goes with all the sheep of the family to higher or lower altitudes depending on season. Other men, children and women stay behind for farming activities. The sheep wool is used for making blankets and bed covers using hand loom. The charkha is used by women to spin fibers into a single ply yarn, but it is not so strong. This wool yarn is hand spun with drop spindle into a two ply yarn that is quite strong. Wool colors are natural – Black and Ecru. These two are sometimes combined to achieve a gray color yarn.