Swiffer is TOXIC to children...
I just found out that Swiffer floor cleaning products (dry and wet) are toxic to children! There have been two cases so far where mothers who used Swiffer products on their floor had a child or pet die after walking on the floor. With the dog, he had walked over the kitchen floor alot, then would lick his paws. His liver failed and he died. With the child, their little hands are crawling around all over the floor (not to mention their toys), and they put everything in their mouth. He died as well from poisoning. Both the child and dog had high levels of the chemicals found in these cleaning products in their systyems. This was on the news with the actual families, so no, it's not an urban legend. There is a warning on the Swiffer boxes, but I never saw it until hearing these tragic stories and looked at the warning myself. I for one will be throwing away my Swiffer stuff today!
RE: Swiffer is TOXIC to children...
Wow. I have the Clorox Ready Mop for wet and the Grab-it for dry - I wonder if they are a problem too?
RE: Swiffer is TOXIC to children...
It's an urban legend...we've had similiar things on our local news, as well, it seems they're quick to report the hysteria, less quick to retract it.
http://urbanlegends.about.com/librar...fer_wetjet.htm
Swiffer WetJet Toxic to Pets
Netlore Archive: Forwarded email claims that the Swiffer WetJet disposable floor cleaner contains a substance toxic to dogs and cats
Description: Email rumor
Circulating since: May 2004
Status: False
Analysis: See below
Email example contributed by Lynn P., 2 May 2004:
Warning for your animal's health:
I recently had a neighbor who had to have their 5-year old German Shepherd dog put down due to liver failure. The dog was completely healthy until a few weeks ago, so they had a necropsy done to see what the cause was. The liver levels were unbelievable, as if the dog had ingested poison of some kind. The dog is kept inside, and when he's outside, someone's with him, so the idea of him getting into something unknown was hard to believe. My neighbor started going through all the items in the house. When he got to the Swiffer Wetjet, he noticed, in very tiny print, a warning which stated "may be harmful to small children and animals." He called the company to ask what the contents of the cleaning agent are and was astounded to find out that anitfreeze is one of the ingredients. (actually he was told it's a compound which is one molecule away from anitfreeze). Therefore, just by the dog walking on the floor cleaned with the solution, then licking it's own paws, and the dog eating from its dishes which were kept on the kitchen floor cleaned with this product, it ingested enough of the solution to destroy its liver. Soon after his dog's death, his housekeepers' two cats also died of liver failure. They both used the Swiffer Wetjet for quick cleanups on their floors. Necropsies weren't done on the cats, so they couldn't file a lawsuit, but he asked that we spread the word to as many people as possible so they don't lose their animals. .
Comments: So far, I've found no evidence or documentation to substantiate this rumor. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Though the product label advises (as with all cleaning products) to "Keep out of reach of children and pets," its manufacturer, Procter & Gamble, maintains that the Swiffer WetJet Cleaning System leaves no appreciable residue and is therefore safe to use in a household with pets, even if they lick the floor after it has been mopped.
A low order of toxicity
According to the Swiffer WetJet Material Safety Data Sheet (.PDF file), the product has "a low order of toxicity." It contains the following ingredients:
Water (90% - 100%)
Propylene Glycol n-Propyl Ether (1% - 4%)
Isopropyl Alcohol (1% - 4%)
Minor Ingredients (< 1%)
Preservatives (< 0.1%)
Propylene glycol n-propyl ether is a solvent similar to, but much less toxic than, ethylene glycol, the antifreeze ingredient always cited as a hazard to pets and children. The Material Safety Data Sheet for propylene glycol, which is present in no greater than a 4% concentration in the Swiffer WetJet cleaning solution, states that the chemical has "low toxicity in animal studies" where ingested. It is also found in other household cleaning products.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has stated the following: "Propylene glycol n-propyl ether and propylene glycol n-butyl ether are very safe ingredients at levels used in cleaning products and do not cause kidney or liver failure."
Anonymous, secondhand and purely anecdotal
Note, too, that the email report is anonymous, secondhand and purely anecdotal, offering no means of authenticating its central claim that three animals died as a result of ingesting the Swiffer WetJet cleaning solution — good enough reason to be skeptical.
Procter & Gamble response to the Swiffer WetJet rumor:
Question:
Are the ingredients safe?
Answer:
We're glad you came to us for the facts about Swiffer WetJet. Let us assure you, this rumor is completely false. Our Wet cloths and WetJet liquid solution cleaners do not contain antifreeze or any ingredient similar to it.
We have pets too and their health is very important to us. All our products have been evaluated by internal and external veterinarians and scientists, and Swiffer WetJet and Swiffer Wet cloths are safe to use around pets.
We hope you’ll help us put an end to this rumor by letting others know the truth.
Update: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Responds to Swiffer Wet Jet Rumor - May 7, 2004: "Veterinary Toxicologists regard allegations of liver failure and death from household cleaner as unfounded."
RE: Swiffer is TOXIC to children...
Unfortunately, most cleaners on the market are toxic to humans and pets - just look on the back of all of your cleaners and you'll see the warning. The fumes and ingestion are the most common factors in causing death, although with some stronger cleaners just contact on the skin/eyes can cause serious harm. I actually use vinegar and Dr. Bronners soap (plant derived) to clean my floors (I use vinegar for a lot of my cleaning). SOme products leave a residue that I don't want my DD getting on her (especially when she was crawling). There have been numerous studies about the level of toxins in children's blood being very high, and products like these are partly to blame. While it doesn't affect adults as much, it is highly concentrated in a child's/pet's body.
Thanks for bringing this up, I"m sure many people are unaware of the danger.
Lisa
It's a good thing we are lazy
I think since DS was born we've only swiffered twice. Good thing.
RE: It's a good thing we are lazy
But why does it specifically say "TOXIC to children and pets" on my Swiffer box? I have it right here. Granted, it is an old box (probably a year old), but still, kinda weird...(Amy scratches her head at this point...)
RE: It's a good thing we are lazy
I'm guessing they mean more along the lines if a child or pet were to actually ingest the product itself.
Jennifer
Mommy to Annalia 03/03/03