What Do You Know About the Dangers of Wet Wipes?

4 Things to Think About Before You Flush

What makes wet wipes one of the worst offenders, environmentally speaking? Read “Wet Wipes: Seeking a Safer Alternative” to find out, then take our quiz to test your knowledge.

• Flushed wet wipes can clog pipes and sewers, creating tons of harmful waste.
• Wet wipes made from plastics, wood pulp and cotton are difficult to break down and can float in sewers and oceans for years. In fact, wet wipes have become the fastest-growing pollution on UK beaches.
• Chemicals in some wet wipes can cause serious skin allergies, like dermatitis and eczema.
• Some baby wipes contain bronopol, an antimicrobial that can release low levels of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound known to cause eye and throat irritation, headaches and dizziness, and has been classified as a human carcinogen by the EPA.

The following video will tell you more than you probably ever wanted to know about “flushable” wet wipes:

It’s true that wet wipes are handy, but at what cost to ourselves and our planet? Can you think of any convenient replacements for wet wipes that don’t put the earth or our families at risk? We’d love to hear from you. Just leave a comment below.

Resources:

• YouTube: Flushable wipes could cost you and your city thousands

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