Do BumGenius diapers have formaldehyde in them?

[sammymama]

Hi All,

I have been using BG 3.0 One Size diapers on my DD for 10 months. I have been very happy with them, but recently saw in an EC book that 99% of cloth diapers have been rinsed in formaldehyde. Ew! I can't seem to find a definitive answer to this on the internet (I've sent a note to cottonbabies.com but it's Saturday night and I'm just curious...). So, just wondering if anyone else has wondered about this and has the answer.

Many thanks!

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

I have no idea, but I find it hard to believe... did they go into more detail about when/why? 99% sounds a little far-fetched...

[3boobykins]

Does that 99% refer to natural fiber diapers--prefolds, etc--or just covers? I'd like to know where the author's of the book get this info. I'm not saying it's not possible, just would like to know the source.

[Blueone]

I find that really hard to believe. And even if there was a really off handed chance they were, they do get washed so I would imagine it would wash off. But again, I find it really really hard to believe.

If you're concerned you could switch to stuffing them with cotton prefolds or something natural like bamboo or hemp inserts. There is a really big off chance microfiber may have it in them. I've heard making microfiber is a dirty process.

[cyncyn]

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the synthetic plastic/polyester materials do contain formaldehyde. Snaps, Velcro, microfiber, PUL, fleece, all of these might have it, especially if manufactured overseas. I doubt any of the companies would actually tell you if their products had it or they might not even test for it. I think a lot of household goods like carpet and furniture have it. not that it is ok! Just saying that it is around. Formaldehyde should be banned.

[3boobykins]

Whatever the case, I'm glad we'll be using organic prefolds and wool covers with our next baby.

[Jenne]

I guess I can believe it because *most* clothing and fabric is treated with formaldehyde. That's why one is supposed to wash clothing and fabric before wearing it or working with it. So, if you wash the diapers the formaldehyde should go away. I'm really allergic to formaldehyde and I wouldn't worry to much about whether any particular diaper is or is not coated with formaldehyde because I wash everything before use.

I'll be interested to see if you get a response!

Jenne

[HeatherB]

Sounds to me like that would come down to the fabrics when manufactured. I have no idea if it's true or not, but I am quite certain that WAHMs are not dipping their diapers in formaldehyde.

[ChetMC]

Wouldn't Surprise Me

It wouldn't surprise me if most cloth diapers are treated with formaldehyde. I know that it's used as an anti-wrinkle agent. I agree with Jenne though, that it washes out.

I'm not sure if buying organic protects people from formaldehyde being used on the products they buy. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring compound.

[EdnaMarie]

Originally Posted by cyncyn

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the synthetic plastic/polyester materials do contain formaldehyde. Snaps, Velcro, microfiber, PUL, fleece, all of these might have it, especially if manufactured overseas. I doubt any of the companies would actually tell you if their products had it or they might not even test for it. I think a lot of household goods like carpet and furniture have it. not that it is ok! Just saying that it is around. Formaldehyde should be banned.

It will be really hard to ban something that occurs in the air and that is in our bloodstream and that requires a lot to overdose on.

Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring compound.

Organic compound, even!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde#Occurrence

And yes, it rinses out and is broken down by water.

I wouldn't sweat it. (And we have several BGs, and I don't sweat it ).

(Oh, and we EC with diaper backup... )

[WindyCityMom]

At first I was thinking that the author was an overzealous ECer convinced that diapers were sent from the do-er of all evils, but then you all got me thinking about how everything has formaldehyde in it

I wouldn't sweat it either.

On a very OT note, my grandmother made me throw all of my nail polish away when I was a kid (she used to paint my nails ) because it burned a hole in her nail. She blamed it on the formaldehyde. Eep!

[sammymama]

Wow, I definitely learned some new things from these posts - thank you all! I did 5 or 7 (can't remember) pre-washes of her diapers before she ever wore them, and we follow the recommended wash directions, so hopefully all traces are gone. BG seems to pride themselves on being environmentally conscious, their products sold in the US are made in the US, their business was started by mamas, etc, so again, hopefully they are not using some crazy chemical-y processing. If I hear back from them I'll post it here!

[blizzard_babe]

Originally Posted by sammymama

BG seems to pride themselves on being environmentally conscious, their products sold in the US are made in the US, their business was started by mamas, etc, so again, hopefully they are not using some crazy chemical-y processing.

Wellllllll... BG are part polyester, which is by its very nature chemically processed.

Now, I still use some PUL covers (we just use regular old prefolds and flats underneath), because I believe that owning a few PUL covers or AIOs or pocket diapers is still less harmful than piles and piles of disposable diapers.

[3boobykins]

I just read, online, that cotton fabric does NOT have pesticide residue. Knowing that, and that any formaldehyde will wash out, makes me think that we'll probably save $ and not go with organic diapers.

[HeatherB]

Any links for someone claiming cotton fabric has no pesticide residues? While I probably can't provide sources for the opposite claim, it certainly seems to be a foregone conclusion by many. Of course, buying organic does support reducing the use in the first place, but it has always seemed that it also meant reducing your personal exposure, as well. Interesting.

FWIW, we buy and use a variety of materials in diapering and clothing.

[3boobykins]

Here's where I read that, HeatherB:

http://healthychild.org/live-healthy/faq/Diapers

This is coming from a green living advocate, not the conventional cotton industry. I don't know, though, I still might go with organic pfs, just for the sake of supporting the organic cotton industry, and because I've heard they're softer than conventional cotton.

She doesn't seem to like the idea of PUL covers, however--click on the link to the right of the above Q and A. But I've read that PUL doesn't really release toxins in a dangerous way unless it's basically melting. I don't like the ideal of it next to a baby's skin, though. I've used it on my other 3 kids, but won't be with the next one. I just want natural fibers touching my baby's body.

[HeatherB]

Very interesting! Thanks for the link. We have really been happy with unbleached Indian PFs - very soft. And, they can be had for cheap.

There is always more to learn, isn't there?

[RhianaW14]

I agree, all clothing in stores is treated, which is why its smelly and you need to wash it b4 wearing.
Ive never noticed the odor on diapers, but of course I always wash several times b4 wearing it on my dd.

[3boobykins]

Originally Posted by HeatherB

Very interesting! Thanks for the link. We have really been happy with unbleached Indian PFs - very soft. And, they can be had for cheap.

There is always more to learn, isn't there?

Always more! I never used the "fancy" sized PF's with my 3 cd'd kids, and we were always fine. Little Lions has great prices on seconds/clearance. Saving money is a huge part of CD for us, so that's probably the way we'll go. Now I just hope I'm finally pg. this month!

[HeatherB]

Originally Posted by 3boobykins

Always more! I never used the "fancy" sized PF's with my 3 cd'd kids, and we were always fine. Little Lions has great prices on seconds/clearance. Saving money is a huge part of CD for us, so that's probably the way we'll go. Now I just hope I'm finally pg. this month!

Little Lions seconds are exactly what we've been using. Or co-op PFs before that. We use a wide mix of diapers, but have been entirely happy with our 2nds from LL! And, clearly, with PFs, you wash them enough in advance to clear off pretty much anything that could be on them!