Toxic Chemicals in Wipes
Whether for cleaning or baby and child care, wipes are a staple item in the lives of many people. Due to their ubiquity, it is essential to consider the ingredients of the wipes being used and their impacts on human and environmental health.
Ingredients of Concern
Some ingredients of concern that commonly show up in wipes are:
Plastics – Many wipes utilize plastic or plastic-containing substrates (the actual “cloth” component of the wipe), which poses an environmental concern. When plastic-containing wipes are disposed into the natural environment, they break down and release microplastics, which get trapped in our oceans, rivers, and drinking water [1] , and harm the environment [2] . Microplastics cause harm to humans through their neurotoxic properties and by increasing risk of certain cancers [3] . The break down and release over time of plastics releases macro-, micro-, and nano- plastics that can cycle through water systems all over the world [4] . While there are biodegradable options available on the market, studies on some wipes labelled “flushable” still show that most contain some proportion of synthetic fibers that are likely to persist in the environment [5] . Degrading plastics disrupt the natural environment by traveling through ecosystems, along food chains, and serving as transport vessels for additional marine pollutants [6] . As the consumption volume of disposable, plastic-based products like wet wipes increased during the covid-19 pandemic, the harmful impact on the environment increased as well [7] .
Polyethylene terephthalate, otherwise known as PET [8] is commonly used in wipes due to its high tensile strength and lightweight properties, ranging from food and beverage packaging, textiles, and bedding [9] . As is generally true of plastics, PET does not naturally degrade in the environment, contributing to the long-term persistence and harms of wipes [10] . Furthermore, antimony trioxide, a catalyst used in the production of PET is classified as a possible carcinogen and endocrine disruptor and is restricted by the EPA as a dangerous air and water pollutant, therefore posing a risk to both human and environmental health [11] .
Fragrances – Fragrance formulas tend to lack a full disclosure of their ingredients, as the FDA considers them to be “trade secrets” and permitted to refrain from disclosure [12] . Fragrances tend to be comprised of a number of ingredients, and some are a concern due to their endocrine disrupting properties . Endocrine disruption can cause damage to organs, cause cancer, and impact neurological function [13] . Phthalates, styrene, and parabens are all examples of the kinds of endocrine disrupting ingredients that are often found in fragrance formulas. Phthalate exposure has been linked to developmental issues in children, insulin resistance, obesity, and cancer [14] [15] . Styrene is associated with many problems including toxic neurological effects and impaired vision [16] in the short term and dysfunction of the central nervous system [17] , liver and kidney damage [18] , and increased risk of cancer [19] with chronic exposure. Parabens have been linked with adverse effects on the development of both the male and female reproductive systems, fetal development during pregnancy, and neurodevelopment [20] .
PEGs – Polyethylene glycol compounds, commonly referred to as PEGs, are used as thickeners, softeners, moisture-carrying agents, penetration enhancers, and surfactants. PEGs are made using a process called ethoxylation, which creates the potential for contamination of the PEG with ethylene oxide. Ethylene oxide is associated with multiple forms of cancers [21] . Ethoxylated ingredients can also be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane (which is associated with cancer as well).
Tips for Choosing Better Wipes
- Choose biodegradable wipes made of substances that can break down readily in the environment in a reasonable time period; these are often made of cotton or bamboo and have short, simple ingredient lists.
- Switch to reusable alternatives, such as damp cloth wipes.
- Make sure to dispose of any wipes through proper trash removal. Do not flush down the toilet.
- Avoid the term “fragrance” and only purchase wipes that disclose all ingredients.
References
[1] Bach, L., Strand, J., Salame, H., Simon, M., Fritt-Rasmussen, J., and Jensen, P.E. (2025). Wet wipes in untreated wastewater are a source of litter pollution in the arctic marine environment – a case study on the loads of litter and microplastics in wastewater effluents in Greenland. Environ. Sci. Adv. 4, 223-234. DOI: 10.1039/D4VA00233D.
[2] Shruti, V. C., Pérez-Guevara, F., & Kutralam-Muniasamy, G. (2021a). Wet wipes contribution to microfiber contamination under covid-19 ERA: An important but overlooked problem. Environmental Challenges, 5, 100267. doi:10.1016/j.envc.2021.100267.
[3] Rahman, A., Sarkar, A., Yadav, O.P., Achari, G., and Slobodnik, J. (2021). Potential human health risks due to environmental exposure to nano- and microplastics and knowledge gaps: A scoping review. Science of the Total Environment 757, 143872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143872.
[4] Allison, T., Ward, B. D., Harbottle, M., & Durance, I. (2023). Do flushed biodegradable wet wipes really degrade? Science of The Total Environment, 894, 164912. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164912.
[5] Hu, T., Shen, M., & Tang, W. (2021). Wet wipes and disposable surgical masks are becoming new sources of fiber microplastic pollution during global COVID-19. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(1), 284–292. doi:10.1007/s11356-021-17408-3.
[6] Galafassi, S., Nizzetto, L., and Volta, P. (2019). Plastic sources: A survey across scientific and grey literature for their inventory and relative contribution to microplastics pollution in natural environments, with an emphasis on surface water. Science of the Total Environment 693, 133499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.305.
[7] Zhang, Y., Wen, Z., Lin, W., Hu, Y., Kosajan, V., and Zhang, T. (2021). Life cycle impact assessment and plastic pollution measures of wet wipes. Resources, Conservation, and Recycling 174, 105803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105803.
[8] Li, F., Ni, Y., Cong, J., Shen, C., Ji, P., Wang, H., Yin, L., and Xu, C. (2022). Wiping conditions and fabric properties influenced the microfiber shedding from non-woven products. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts 24(10), 1855-1866. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EM00292B.
[9] Sin, L.T., and Tueen, B.S. (2023). Plastics and environmental sustainability issues. Plastics and Sustainability: Practical Solutions, 1-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824489-0.00006-4.
[10] Dhaka, V., Singh, S., Anil, A. G., Sunil Kumar Naik, T. S., Garg, S., Samuel, J., … Singh, J. (2022a). Occurrence, toxicity and remediation of polyethylene terephthalate plastics. A Review. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 20(3), 1777–1800. doi:10.1007/s10311-021-01384-8.
[11] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2014). TSCA Work Plan Chemical Risk Assessment: Antimony Trioxide (EPA Document # 740‐Z1‐4001). https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/ato_ra_8-28-14_final.pdf.
[12] Office of the Commissioner. (n.d.). “Trade secret” ingredients. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-labeling/trade-secret-ingredients.
[13] Cleveland Clinic. (2024, October 14). What are “hormone-disrupting chemicals”? Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-are-hormone-disrupting-chemicals.
[14] Benjamin, S., Masai, E., Kaminura, N., Takahashi, K., Anderson, R.C., and Faisal P.A. (2017). Phthalates impact human health: Epidemiological evidences and plausible mechanism of action. Journal of Hazardous Materials 340, 360-385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.06.036.
[15] Zuccarello, P., Conti, G.O., Cavallaro, F., Copat, C., Cristaldi, A., Fiore, M., and Ferrante,M.. (2018). Implication of dietary phthalates in breast cancer. A systematic review, Food and Chemical Toxicology 118, 667-674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2018.06.011.
[16] Cohen, J. T., G. Carlson, G. Charnley, D. Coggon, E. Delzell, J. D. Graham, H. Greim, D. Krewski, M. Medinsky, R. Monson, et al. (2002). A comprehensive evaluation of the potential health risks associated with occupational and environmental exposure to styrene. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health B. 5:1–263. doi:10.1080/10937400252972162.
[17] Styrene - US EPA. (n.d.). https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/styrene.pdf.
[18] Styrene - US EPA. (n.d.). https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/styrene.pdf.
[19] Huff, J., and Infante, P.F. (2011). Styrene exposure and risk of cancer. Mutagenesis 26(5), 583-584. doi: 10.1093/mutage/ger033.
[20] Mitra, P., Chatterjee, S., Paul, N. et al. (2021). An Overview of Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Paraben and Search for An Alternative – A Review. Proc Zool Soc 74, 479–493. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12595-021-00418-x.
[21] EPA. (n.d.-b). Ethylene oxide. EPA.gov. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/ethylene-oxide.pdf.
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