Antifreeze in Wipes????!!!!

Updated on March 22, 2008
F.P. asks from Channahon, IL
9 answers

I just read a post about antifreeze in baby wipes, I've never heard this. It seems every time I turn around I'm reading or hearing about something else that is bad for our babies and kids, products and things I have been using or doing for years with my 5 yr. old and now with my 1 yr. old, it makes it really hard to feel like your doing the best for your kids. Anyway, does anyone know about this antifreeze thing in baby wipes? It kinda horrified me. Thabks in advance for your information.

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

This is what I found:

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/egpg/propylene_glycol.html

In contrast to ethylene glycol, a potent cause of acute toxicity in humans, propylene glycol is a “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) additive for foods and medications. Propylene glycol rarely causes toxic effects, and then only under very unusual circumstances.

You know, I just can't get my panties all wadded up over this. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

Well that's a new one for me. It's not that it contains actual anti-freeze, it contains a chemical that's found in anti-freeze. Not much better but better then thinking your putting actual anti-freeze on your kids butts. With my son, 8 months old, I decided to not use anything that wasn't absolutely necessary on him. I do not use lotions, powders, etc. However, I do have to wipe his butt. I guess now I'll just do my best to find all natural wipes. You can't beat yourself up over everything you did or used that unwittingly may have caused some harm, however minor, to your children. I think we'd all be in the looney bin if we obsessed over everything that we have done that is now considered harmful. Can you imagine what OUR mothers must be thinking?? Just keep doing as you are doing, keep yourself educated and make the best decisions that this education can arm you with. Contrary to everything you hear, our children are the safest these days then they've ever been and this type of information is good because it helps us keep them even safer. Thanks for posting this so that now all of us know about it.

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R.

answers from Chicago on

Good heavens. Anti-freeze in wipes? Give me a break. As another poster already commented, they are two different substances. Parent by fear if you choose, but that is really no way to live. I personally would not worry about this one.

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N.S.

answers from Chicago on

propolen glycol which is in wipes is also what makes antifreeze work so well. Basicly its toxic. And yes, pretty ridiculous that the FDA does not regulate this. We don't use wipes except for seventh generations or just water spray bottle and paper towels. The good old fashioned way. Put simply there is a price to pay for convenience which seems to be this society's best friend.

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K.

answers from Chicago on

O.K.
I daycare, and this has me a bit freaked out so I just checked a bag of Huggies Naturally refreshing with Cucumber & Green Tea. They DO NOT have that chemical in them. Now I have another bag of Huggies I will check, O.k. Huggies Supreme DOES NOT have that chemical in them either. I also have a mom who brings me pampers, I do not have access to that bag, but rest assured I am going to check when I go to Target tonight. I also use the Target brand I want to check, do not have access to that bag at the moment but will check. So far so good. I would like to know what brand has that in them. Please post if anyone knows!

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

Fran and others:
I have been in health and wellnes for 10 years now and every year we keep learning about harmful ingredients that are used in products we use every day. Yes, it is true, the FDA does NOT regulate the personal care industry so it truly is Buyer Beware! I changed over to natural products 10 years ago and we are so much healthier for it. Many products claim "natural or botanical" but any company can advertise this if they have one ingredient in it like Vitamin C or Lavendar oil, the rest can contain anything. Fragrances are masked with many additives. It is good advice to educate yourself on the products that you use on yourself and your family. Just because it has a "household brand name" on it, does not mean that it doesn't contain harmful ingredients. I know we all want to trust what the BIG companies put out, but the truth is out there and if you went online you will find many things to back up all the postings about hazards in just about everything. I have done years of studying and am still learning every day! That's my goal in my life now, to educate people on alternative means of products that you use everyday that may just be causing your allergies, your sickness, and eventually, even cancer down the line. I wish this wasn't the truth, but I just received an email today about things that I know about that was just released from Johns Hopkins Hospital telling about our foods, how we prepare them, chemicals that get into our body, etc. Maybe people will listen to a big institution like Johns Hopkins!

Our skin is our largest organ and anything we put in and on our bodies goes directly into our organs and into the bloodstream. That's why they make "the patch" for medicinal purposes because the skin absorbs 76% times faster than orally.

I am not posting to alarm or scare anyone. Merely to state a fact that has been known for many years, but you are just now hearing about it. It's never too late to learn and change the way you live and what you eat and use on your body. Unfortunately, the US government does not have a governing body that truly regulates all of the products we use.

If anyone would like more information on healthy alternatives, I would be more than happy to share what I have learned over the years. Because of the internet, information like this is finally being publicized - but not spread by advertising. Why would companies who are making large profits take a product off the shelf if it sells anyway? Think about it - it truly is giving the American public what they want because of convenience and cheap materials - but what price are you really willing to pay in the long run??

Here's to your health! Be informed....

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T.G.

answers from Chicago on

My son has very sensitive skin and I use quickables all purpose wipes wet down with water instead of diaper wipes. Their like the ones you get at the hospital. A box of 50 runs about $4.00 dollars from Amazon.com. I didn't know about the antifreeze, but it does explain a lot!

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A.

answers from Chicago on

Antifreeze (for your car) is traditionally ethylene glycol. It is highly toxic. Some wipes contain propylene glycol (which is NOT the same), as do many other products. It is only toxic in extreme circumstances. Water can be toxic in extreme circumstances, too. "Natural products" can be toxic. You're never going to completely avoid this situation. In general terms (which is what people are using when they say there is antifreeze in baby wipes), antifreeze can refer to any chemical that lowers the freezing point of water, which can be many things, including salt, sugar and propylene glycol.

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L.K.

answers from Chicago on

Hi Fran,
You would be surprized to know what I have found out in the last couple of months! I have a 13yr old a 11yr old and now a 14 month old. I know I was never as worried with the other two than I am with this little baby in my life now.I don't know if its because I'm older and wiser now or if its because everything is bad now! I have been truly blessed with a company that I was introduced to back in late December. I first heard about the products and how they are unique and effective and most importantly how they are toxin free! No bleach, formaldahyde, AGENT ORANGE (think vietnam) I said sign me up! THEN, I also heard there is a business side of it, but I just wanted the products. Since then (2 months later) I have told 11 of my friends and this has brought me into the business side (just because I wanted my friends to be informed as I was because I care and love them) Since then, I have made some $ and its only going to get higher. BUT this is something I can't keep my mouth shut because like I said, I have found out some frightening things about our EVERY day products. My first eye opener, was when I had someone come to my house to share this with my friends and she brought the exact johnson and johnson baby shampoo with lavender that I use on my baby. It has Quantrerium-15.....that is FORMALDAHYDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me know if you want to find out about this and even share it with the people you LOVE! ###-###-####!
Talk to you soon
L.

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