What’s in Disposable Pampers Anyway?

What’s in Disposable Pampers Anyway?

Most babies wear pamper nearly 24 hours a day, and those pampers are in constant contact with both skin and mucus membranes. This means that any chemicals in pampers are likely to wind up in your baby’s system if he or she wears disposable pampers. Many parents are surprised to learn the amount of chemicals in disposable pampers that can wind up in your child’s system.

1. Dioxins – Many baby pampers are bleached with chlorine, resulting in remaining traces of dioxins. According to the World Health Organization, dioxins are “persistent environmental pollutants” that can cause an array of health problems including developmental delays, damaged immunity, hormone interference, and certain cancers. Even if dioxins don’t wind up in the pampers after bleaching, they do wind up in the water and thus, the food supply, creating an environmental health problem from the manufacture of pampers.

2. Volatile Organic Compounds – Many disposable pampers release VOCs such as ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene. According to the EPA, some VOCs are carcinogens. Others can cause neurological problems, eye irritation, and decreased immunity.

3. Sodium Polyacrylate (SAP) – The absorbent center in disposable pampers is made from SAP. Once used in tampons, SAP was responsible for the cases of Toxic Shock Syndrome associated with the products. SAP also irritates skin, can cause staph infections, and may be related to other health problems, as well.