Warning: possible health risk associated with Swiffer Wet Jet

First of all let me say that I am in no way bashing this product, nor am I trying to scare anyone, I am only relaying what I overheard today, which may or may not be accurate information.

While in the customer service department at Target, I overheard the gentleman in line in front of me, explaining why he was returning a Swiffer wet jet. He claimed that while at his vets office he was told by the vet that a person had recently lost two cats and a dog, due to a chemical found in the product solution.

The vet explained to him that the chemical gets onto the paws of the animal, then is licked off, and once ingested, causes liver failure.

I have not done a lot of research, and I do not know if there is any validity to the claim, but I do know that the guy sounded very alarmed, and suggested that Target pull the product from the shelves.

I found some websites that say it is an urban myth, while others claim it to be true. If anyone else has any firsthand knowledge, please post it.

Here are two of the links:

http://www.benderplace.com/allcreatu....htm#Wet%20Jet

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/swiffer.asp

This is a rumor started by someone with a grudge against Procter and Gamble and nothing else.

The fluid in a wet jet would have to be ingested by your pet, and if it was, it would cause some digestive upset, but that is all. Just like any cleaner you use around the house, you keep this product out of reach of children and pets. This is a standard warning for these types of cleaners. But it is not lethal unless you cat drank a whole bowlful which wouldn't happen as the smell would drive them off-

Anything is possible...however the likelyhood of anything happening from use of this product...

This is effectively an Urban Myth. As Hissy said.

Spotz

Well it sounds as if it is an Urban myth, as Hissy said, and I truly hope it is. I will never forget the Hartz flea spray (Blockade I think) that killed a couple of cats, a few years ago. I assume the company revised the formula or something. Since then I have been a bit nervous about the safety of household chemicals around pets.

Not the same thing at all. And Hartz is slowly changing their formulas

Maybe this will help you?

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/swiffer.asp

Originally Posted by Mishon

...Since then I have been a bit nervous about the safety of household chemicals around pets.

Click to expand...

My general rule of thumb with household chemicals...

If you avoid contact with it, then you need to do your best to prevent your kitties(or any other loved ones) from contacting it also. This doesn't mean that you can't use the products, just that you need to take the same precautions using them around your animals as you would using them around an infant.

Most chemicals are purrfectly safe when used correctly, and the benefits greatly outweigh most risks.

Simply put, excercise reasonable caution when you use these products and you will be fine.

Spotz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Urbana, IL) May 6, 2004 -- Veterinary toxicologists at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center have reviewed the claim described in a widely distributed email alleging a relationship between the use of Swiffer Wet Jet and liver failure in a dog. The email alleges that exposure to the ingredients in Swiffer Wet Jet caused a dog's death.

The Swiffer Wet Jet system contains water (90-100%), propylene glycol n-propyl ether or propylene glycol n-butyl ether and isopropyl alcohol (1-4%). These ingredients are safe to use around pets when used according to label directions and would not cause liver damage at product concentrations. Propylene glycol n-butyl/propyl ether differs significantly from ethylene glycol, the potentially toxic ingredient present in most antifreeze products. Ethylene glycol is frequently implicated in causing renal failure in dogs following antifreeze ingestion. 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.

The ASPCA will continue to monitor this situation and will post any additional information as it becomes available. Please call 1-888-426-4435 if you have any questions or have a pet that you suspect is experiencing problems, or visit us at www.apcc.aspca.org.

Even if it were only as toxic as your average household cleaner, I wouldn't use it around sensitive animals like birds or fishes, anyway. You can kill fish just by smoking in or painting the room the tank is in.

I'm not familiar with this particular product, but I don't use any standard cleaners any more. I use natural products made by environmentally conscious manufacturers, like Earth Friendly Products and Seventh Generation. Sure, most things won't kill you right away, but cleaning your home with them over and over will probably have some effect on you. Not to mention that manufacturing such products is destructive to the environment. It's just unnecessary harm and risk that I don't see the point of. Natural cleaners do clean very well; some out there are strong. They usually cost about the same, too.

Just my $.02!