Dangerous Disposables

There are so many reasons why cloth nappies are far superior to their disposable counterparts. I could go on and on and on and on thinking of reasons why they are better for you, for your child, for the environment, for your pocket. 

Did you know that next to your babies bottom and genitals, in a disposable nappy, are hundreds of toxic chemicals. 

This is the one that got me

Polyacrylic Acid- Ever noticed little gel balls on your babies bottom after wearing a disposable nappy? Welcome to Polyacrylic Acid - A Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) that turns urine into gel and can absorb 100 times its weight in liquid. This is a substance which was banned from use in tampons in 1985 due to its link with Toxic Shock Syndrome. Employees in factories producing Polyacrylate suffer from female organ damage, fatigue and weight loss. No long term studies have been conducted to assess the risks of 24/7 exposure to this compound on a babies vulnerable genitals.

Due to its extreme absorbency, this chemical has been found to draw moisture from the skin, causing severe nappy rash and bleeding of perineal and scrotal tissue. Polyacrylic Acid is also lethal to cats when inhaled.

Reading things like this really turns my stomach, thinking about the long term effects that they could have on my baby.

Not to mention the little gel crystals which commonly come to the surface of the nappies which are potentially hazardous, especially if inhaled or ingested. And the instances of chemical burn which have arisen from 'Pampers Dry Maxx' nappies.

By using cloth nappies, you know what will be next to your skin. Any chemicals that may be on the fabric (due to manufacturing) will be washed off in the wash you do to prepare your nappies. Cloth nappies are available in many different fibres, from the manmade Microfibre to the natural fibres of Hemp, so you can choose what fibres will be hugging their heiney!

Read the full article at the Really Pants blog here http://www.babiesnappies.co.uk/2008/06/19/scary-sposies/