It seems that lately there has been considerable discussion over the coverings for Sweatlodge. Worries about plastic and the chemicals they can produce like dioxins. Since lodge is such a part of me and I take it very seriously I decided to do some research into the issues. I began with my friend Google.
Some plastics are just nasty, things like vinyl that is used in beach balls and shower curtains is evident enough by the smell alone. The constant out-gassing of these types of product would not be appropriate at all for a lodge. I even have a hard time sleeping on one of the blow up vinyl mattresses. Black Polyethylene is another plastic I would avoid at all costs, it doesn't breathe and it too gases all the time. Even those blue tarps that many people use are a bit too plastic for my liking although I have covered a lodge with one to keep it dry until it could be picked up or to keep the snow out of the lodge until lodge day.
This got me thinking about the covers I use on my lodge. I have a lot of old blankets and my large blackout curtains that I like so well, so I checked a bunch of tags and sure enough they are mostly synthetic. Polyester was by far the majority of material and the black out liners in the curtains were 65% polyester and 35% cotton. I started with this material to see what I could find about the health effects. It turns out that of all synthetic fabrics, Polyester was one of the most stable with very little off-gassing. It is also fire resistant and self extinguishing, that's not to say it won't burn.
I researched the health effects which led me to Wikipedia and a study on dogs which can be found at http://www.springerlink.com/content/u1345t62476601vn/ it is from the Department of Surgery and Research, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. The end result claimed that the most likely cause for the differences in sperm count was the electrostatic properties of Polyester. No that is not a typo. Dogs in underwear.
It is also apparent that the material used in these curtains has been tested for fairly high temperatures since it is designed to block sunlight in a south facing window of your home or office in temperatures that far exceed the covering on the lodge. This put my mind at ease about the curtains.
The blankets on the inside were my next thought so I looked into them also. Who would have thought that one of the preferred uses for Polyester was in electric blankets. Some are combined in a blend with acrylics but many state 100% Polyester.
I am not a plastic fan by any stretch of the imagination, in fact I avoid plastic where I can. It has some very good uses, however it also has many over uses. I recycle all that the recyclers will take and reuse much of the plastic I can with a last resort of throwing it away. If I had my druthers, I would cover my lodge with animal pelts like it was done hundreds of years ago, even though that is neither practical nor health conscious, since when they get wet they can harbor some pretty nasty bacteria and germs. At least it would be all natural. For now I will stick with recycled, safe materials.
For several years now I have been priding myself on my respect and honor for Sweatlodge and all that it stands for. I have read books, visited other lodges and built several for others who show proper respect. I believe it is a wonderful space for prayer, reflection, healing and connection with nature and the spiritual. The ancient knowledge and the experience of lodge when offered with respect and honor is a most positive experience, life changing for some. It is with great respect and deepest regard that I offer Sweatlodge to those who wish to share these experiences with me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyester
