Toxic diapers: a hell of a cocktail
A first study by the 60 Millions Consumers association set things ablaze in February 2017. Other published results, then a report from the Health Safety Agency (ANSES) in January 2019, finally convinced us: we really find anything in baby diapers !
Read instead:
- allergens;
- formaldehyde;
- traces of dioxins, PCBs and furans;
- trails of PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons).
You don't know what all these terms mean? Remember that their toxic potential has been proven by scientific studies and that they are notably classified as probable or possible carcinogens by the authorities. However, they are found in many brands of baby diapers. Certainly, these are minimal concentrations compared to the thresholds set by law (when such thresholds exist) but, when we know that toys, clothing, food, toiletry products (wipes, etc.) They also contain risky substances, we can guess that the cocktail takes on beautiful proportions.
Parents who buy diapers for their children rarely know what they are made of. There we find mainly cellulose (wood fiber) and especially plastic materials, for example polypropylene (=plastic).
The risks of toxic baby diapers
Babies who have just been born still have a deficient organism. They are far from having completed their development. This lasts for many years, the most crucial of which are precisely those during which they wear diapers. Young children are therefore very sensitive to toxic molecules. These can migrate into the urine and strongly attack the epidermis. This results in numerous and varied skin pathologies, from simple irritation to infectious or inflammatory dermatitis, including allergies; We generally treat our babies' buttocks with lotions, creams and milks which are not necessarily free from all reproaches. A vicious circle ?
There are also endocrine disruptors, which are found in many plastics and which have a harmful impact on the hormonal system. Children are particularly helpless in the face of their attacks. In the most extreme cases, this can result in growth delays or early puberty, malformations, effects on emotional maturity or concentration abilities. The effects of harmful substances are not necessarily immediate: they sometimes take very long periods of action.
The precautionary principle is therefore essential.
How to choose a baby diaper?
This is a real dilemma for young parents , mothers and fathers concerned about the well-being and health of their child. How to sort between brands, labels, manufacturers' promises? It has become difficult to trust, especially since the latest studies and reports are confusing our bearings.
The reflex you must have when shopping for your baby is to check the composition of the products. Since April 2019, the DGCCRF has required manufacturers to include their list of ingredients on their website, and since September 2019, on their diaper packages. It is therefore necessary to check and rule out all those who still allow themselves controversial substances.
- The lotions? Are they really essential? Lotions are added by some manufacturers to diapers to prevent plastic-related irritation. This is Petrolatum (petroleum jelly) classified red by Inci Beauty. To be eliminated, therefore!
- As for the composition, choose certified natural TCF cellulose, i.e. not bleached with chlorine and chlorine derivatives. Also ban plastic based on hydrocarbons and prefer what we call eco-plastics made from organic materials (corn starch, sugarcane starch, beet starch, potato starch, etc.). Therefore, prefer a veil in contact with baby's skin made from vegetable starch (100% of natural origin) to a veil made of plastic (polypropylene).
- List all the elements contained in the layer. No toxic substances are essential. At Love and Green, the diapers offered go perfectly without them and are truly ecological !
