Pampers, Dioxin, and eating "super absorbent gel"

Everyone knows how much I love Pampers. (Please note a completely sarcastic tone). Many of you have read their response to my simple request for an ingredients list. However, when I was looking at their site there were a couple other things that caught my eye, so I did some research and here is what I found.

In their FAQ section there is a question about bleaching. Here is a small excerpt from their response:

Our suppliers use elemental chlorine-free processes that do not result in the formation of dioxin or other pollutants from the former pulp-making process. In fact, in the U.S. pulp industry, elemental chlorine technologies were completely phased out by 2001 so most, if not all, disposable diapers are made in the U.S. with pulp bleached without elemental chlorine.

At first glance I first wondered if all their plants use this process, but I know not to ask because I am certainly not going to get a response. (Maybe if I have a doctor's note??) So what is an "elemental chlorine-free process"? (ECF) is a technique that uses chlorine dioxide (instead of elemental chlorine) for the bleaching of wood pulp. If they do use this process it does considerably reduce the risk of dioxin being produced; however, it is not 100%. The chemistry of the ECF process shows that the main bleaching agent, chlorine dioxide, is still capable of producing dioxins. Research by both the pulp industry and the EPA demonstrates that chlorine dioxide bleaching does not ensure total elimination of dioxins. Therefore, they can not say it DOES NOT result in dioxin production because in fact it still can and even small amounts of dioxin have been linked to numerous health effects such as cancers. This is a really good step in the right direction as far as health effects are concerned because the likelihood of  producing a dioxin is diminished considerably!

However, there is another layer to the bleaching process as well! The environmental impact of the process. Traditional elemental bleaching was horrific on the environment, so many companies have claimed that by switching to an ECF system they have eliminated the issues. This is only half true. They have taken great stride; however, they have only gone halfway! To be the most environmentally friendly AND the healthiest. these companies would need to adopt a COMPLETELY chlorine free process.Chlorine dioxide (which is still used in their bleaching process) is ranked in the top 10 percent of harmful chemicals. The substance has been found to harm all forms of life and disrupt ecosystems.(a good article to read on the subject is from GreenPeace-read it here)

The next thing that caught my eye was this statement when asked about the gel inside the diaper:

This super absorbent gel, which is used in most disposable diapers, are the small beads that turn into a gel-like material in order to hold the large amount of liquid. This has been shown to be non-irritating, safe for skin and even safe if ingested. 

 I know in my article on sodium polyacrylate I had provided an MSDS sheet (material safety and data sheet). So I took a look at it. Sure enough, not a hazard if swallowed. Hmmm....I thought this was curious so I did some more research. I found an updated MSDS. The original one I posted was from 2004. I found a new one updated in 2006. It states: "May be harmful if swallowed. May cause irritation. Avoid breathing vapors, or dusts. Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothes. Wash thoroughly after handling". So I had two conflicting MSDS sheets. What next?

Called poison control! I asked if a baby were to ingest any of the inside of a disposable diaper could it harm the baby. They said typically the baby does not ingest enough for them to be worried about and they typically do not see many issues with this type of incident; however, what they would worry about is INTESTINAL BLOCKAGE! He said that normally this is not an issue but CAN BE! He said to watch for the baby vomiting, having difficulty passing bowel movement, blood in stool, or any changes in bowel movements. This can be a sign of an issue.

So my conclusion, not "safe" as Pampers states to ingest. Also per the MSDS sheet is a KNOWN skin irritant. That was consistent on both MSDS sheets.

And check out the blatant lies they are spreading in their Recycle Bank "earn and learn" quiz. Seriously, come on Pampers!! I understand Recycle Bank wants/needs their money and support but as a "green" organization they should not allow this. (Pampers a serious question on social responsibility)



Oh and on a side-note- Have you seen Pampers new "prints collection" Anyone know why they are hanging on a clothesline???? Not too smart since there have been reports of low-income families REUSING disposable diapers. 

Dioxin

• Dioxins are a group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants.

• Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.

• Due to the omnipresence of dioxins, all people have background exposure, which is not expected to affect human health. However, due to the highly toxic potential of this class of compounds, efforts need to be undertaken to reduce current background exposure.

• Prevention or reduction of human exposure is best done via source-directed measures, i.e. strict control of industrial processes to reduce formation of dioxins as much as possible.

Dioxins are environmental pollutants. They have the dubious distinction of belonging to the “dirty dozen” - a group of dangerous chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants. Dioxins are of concern because of their highly toxic potential. Experiments have shown they affect a number of organs and systems. Once dioxins have entered the body, they endure a long time because of their chemical stability and their ability to be absorbed by fat tissue, where they are then stored in the body. Their half-life in the body is estimated to be seven to eleven years.

Dioxins are unwanted by products of a wide range of manufacturing processes including smelting, chlorine bleaching of paper pulp and the manufacturing of some herbicides and pesticides. Short-term exposure of humans to high levels of dioxins may result in skin lesions, such as chloracne and patchy darkening of the skin, and altered liver function. Long-term exposure is linked to impairment of the immune system, the developing nervous system, the endocrine system and reproductive functions. Chronic exposure of animals to dioxins has resulted in several types of cancer.

The developing fetus is most sensitive to dioxin exposure. The newborn, with rapidly developing organ systems, may also be more vulnerable to certain effects.

Is this something we want on our babies bottoms? I know I don't!

**info found on WHO website