by Debra Lynn Dadd | Aug 25, 2014 | | 81 comments
from Debra Lynn Dadd
After making a comment in a recent post about not using paper towels because they contain formaldehyde, I received this shocked email from a long-time reader
Debra,
I can’t believe that I have been trying to be as toxic free as possible for many, many years and I am still using paper towels daily! Your website as had lots of information through the years about paper towels, including your comments regarding Cathy’s question on August 11 about non-toxic lining for drawers.
I contacted Bounty (Procter&Gamble) and this is the list of ingredients sent me. What do you think?
You can post that information if you think it would be beneficial to others in you Q&A section.
Thank you very much.
Thanks for contacting Bounty, Stephanie.
Below is the ingredients for the Bounty Towels & Napkins
| INGREDIENT LIST | MATERIAL FUNCTION |
| Processed Wood Pulp | Used to make paper from softwood trees (Pine & Spruce) and hardwood trees (Oak/maple.) |
| In NA we use virgin wood pulp. | Our products don’t contain recycled fibers |
| Wet Strength Polymer | Added to increase strength during wet use. |
| Adhesive | Hold pliestogether Present in trace amounts (special type of glue) |
| Ceteareth-10 Surfactant | emulsifier |
We do not intentionally add formaldehyde to our products, and we check that our raw materials do not contain any formaldehyde either.
Since we don’t add or use formaldehyde in the processing of the product, we don’t test for it in the finished product.
It may be helpful to know that formaldehyde is a naturally occurring substance, and can be detected in wood pulp at very low concentrations
Hope this helps.
Wendy
Bounty Team
Need to get back in touch? Please do not change the subject line, just hit reply. This makes sure we receive your message
At first glance this paper towel seems to not contain formaldehyde, however, it does contain “Wet Strength Polymer.”
What is that?
According toPaper Functional Chemicals- Wet Strength Resins,papers such as filter papers, hygienic papers, papers for bags, label papers, wallpapers, laminate base papers, and packaging papers for moist goods can only fulfill their function if they have adequate “wet strength” (the ability to hold together when exposed to water.
The way wet strength is achieved is by using wet-strenth resins (WSR).
“the most common WSR are urea formaldehyde resins (UF-resins) and melamine formaldehyde resins (MF-resins), These chemicals need acid pH conditions and the presence of alum in the papermaking process. For neutral pH conditions polyamide-epichlorohydrin resins (PAE-resins) are mainly used (e. g. for hygiene and laminate papers); polyethylenimine products are used for specialty papers such as industrial filter papers and shoe board.”
This article notes that urea-formaldehyde resins are the least expensive (so likely to be most common). They can be added to the wet mix, “but they can be also used via surface application in the paper machine.” That means the resin is lying right on the surface of the paper.
I don’t know enough about the chemistry of how this works to make an evaluation of how these chemicals interact with the cellulose. I do know that chemicals can react and turn into something else entirely, such as fat and lye make soap.
I also don’t know how much, if any, formaldehyde emissions come from paper, but they are well-known from urea-formaldehyde foam insulation and composite wood products. I first heard about formaldehyde in paper towels years ago from people with MCS who reacted to paper towels.
Click through to the article if you want to learn more about what is used to make paper. This is an industry website with lots of information.
Read more here about Toxins in Toilet Paper.
Add Comment
Sandraon July 4, 2019 at 5:05 am
Do paper towels contain arsenic? I am trying to figure out how I was exposed, and I have been growing edible plants on a paper towel medium. : 0
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Lisa Powerson August 16, 2019 at 12:09 pm
There may be arsenic in paper towels. It is not an ingredient but can be a contaminant from ingredients such as recycled paper or wood grown in arsenic-contaminated water. I can’t say if that is enough to contribute to your exposure. Main sources of exposure are usually from drinking water, some foods (particularly rice) or old decks made with pressure-treated wood.
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LMon September 9, 2019 at 4:49 pm
I also had an inorganic arsenic exposure. I found out, after much sleuthing and with the help of an Environmental Doctor, that was from rice. Rice, especially wild rice and brown rice, are grown in ground water which is high in arsenic. The more processed white rice has less arsenic. I was consuming lots of rice because I am gluten-free.
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Lisa Powerson September 14, 2019 at 10:11 am
Unfortunately, many gluten-free products contain brown rice or brown rice syrup, which can be high in arsenic.
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Kathyon March 2, 2020 at 10:35 pm
That is not true!
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Lisa Powerson March 8, 2020 at 3:30 pm
Can you please be more specific? I’d be happy to address any information that you think may not be correct.
Rohit Patilon October 8, 2018 at 3:05 am
Hi Debra, thanks for sharing this article. It is necessary for the customers to be aware of the products they are using and what its made of. Hopefully, after reading this post they would be able to make a well-informed choice.
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Ron Manzellaon November 11, 2018 at 11:54 pm
I have a question. For many years I use paper towels from various manufacturers for cleaning, as napkins when eating, for various activities which place the PTs in contact with my skin, mouth and face every day.
And recently I’ve noticed “chemical and fragrance odors” on PTs that I never used to smell before. Is it still safe to use PTs for activities that require the PT to come in contact with skin, mouth and food … is there a health or safety concern I should be aware of? Thanking everyone in ad ance for their response. RM
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Debra Lynn Daddon November 17, 2018 at 1:10 pm
If you smell chemical or fragrance odors on ANY product, you should not use it.
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Lynne Hawkinson March 20, 2020 at 1:24 pm
Hello ?
An article in our lical newspaper stated that “paper towels have plastic on the weave” which is why they shouldn’t be used in the absence of toilet paper (in a flush toilet). So far, I have been unable to find confirmation of this statement – are you aware of any paper towels with plastic in the weave?
Thanks ?Reply
Lisa Powerson March 24, 2020 at 12:59 pm
I am not aware of this. I suspect it might be in brands that claim tougher strength.
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Tomon July 15, 2018 at 12:56 am
Thank you everyone for all of the eye-opening comments. I have a 3-year old daughter, and we have been using a homemade recipe of Scott Washable Kitchen Towels (super strong when wet) soaked in baby oil, baby wash and baby shampoo to produce baby wipes on the cheap. They have performed very well, but a recent hair analysis revealed that my little girl now has inexplicably high levels of arsenic and antimony! I have been through everything in my home, and just realized today after reading this blog that the source of these toxins could be these paper towels — especially if they are impregnated with all of the chemicals discussed in this blog. I feel like such an idiot overlooking such a common household product that I also assumed was safe. Thank you all; please keep posting information to this blog!
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audreyon July 23, 2018 at 4:52 pm
Any suggestions for safe sanitary napkins? I am post menopausal and have mcs. I recently had a cervical polyp removed and needed to wear pads for a week and now am very irritated and swollen in private area. Went to gyn and he said the pads have chlorine in them and that they are very irritating to post menopausal women due to being drier (no kidding). Any suggestions would be wonderful. thank you.
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Debra Lynn Daddon July 23, 2018 at 5:12 pm
See the Feminine Hydiene page on Debra’s List.
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LMon July 24, 2018 at 5:00 pm
One of the biggest sources of inorganic arsenic in our bodies is rice. Is your little girl eating rice? It is highly polluted with arsenic. I dealt with high arsenic levels in my body in 2006 and after finally going to an environmental illness physician, I was told this. Since then, it has become more widely discussed in the functional/integrative medical community.
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Debra Lynn Daddon July 31, 2018 at 10:00 am
I just want to temper this comment by saying yes there is arsenic in rice, but rice is also a nutritious food. Please learn more about the issue before deciding whether or not to eat rice. I personally do eat organic brown rice, but I also take PureBody Liquid Zeolite, that removes arsenic from my body that has entered through any source. There are many sources of arsenic exposure beyond rice.
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Jamieon April 8, 2020 at 4:43 pm
I have heard that rice is often grown in areas that used to grow cotton as a crop. Huge amounts of arsenic were used on that crop. This soil may test organic because the arsenic is very deep in the soil. However, because rice uses water for cultivation that water can seep down and bring the arsenic into the crop. So rice grown in American south that produced a lot of cotton could be suspect. However, I have heard that rice coming from California or India where there was not a big cotton crop is probably safe. Rice from India is pretty easy to find. As for gluten-free foods, which I prefer myself, there’s no way to tell though where the rice in them comes from.
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Lisa Powerson April 15, 2020 at 10:35 am
Consumer Reports did a study in 2014 about arsenic in rice. Some key conclusions are:
“White basmati rice from California, India, and Pakistan, and sushi rice from the U.S. on average has half of the inorganic-arsenic amount of most other types of rice.”
“Brown rice has 80 percent more inorganic arsenic on average than white rice of the same type.”
“Rice that’s grown organically takes up arsenic the same way conventional rice does, so don’t rely on organic to have less arsenic.”
DALIYA ROBSONon October 23, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Chickens and rive even organic is full of arsenic. Check wether its pastures chickens on those that live in cages ? Soil can a lso be full of arsenic. Fish is full of mercury . We need to detox all the time with either zeolite or bentonite clay or other clay or chlorella or activated carbon caps . Youngsters can have a mouthful of clay in their apple sauce its does taste like dirt but perhaps you can make it better with some treat after. Or at least feed them with as much green organic veggies they can stomach .Good luck surviving in a toxic world.
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Gloriaon October 16, 2018 at 5:31 pm
You might want to try Dr. Butler’s Organic All Natural Chemical Free Soothing Wipes. I’ve been using them for a few years and they’re great. Never any reactions. And do the job! Here’s a link to them on Amazon:
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Ruthon March 24, 2020 at 3:17 pm
Check the ingredients in your baby: oil, wash and shampoo. Mineral oil, anti tear chemicals etc. could be issues here.
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Jane Sheelyon May 30, 2016 at 12:56 am
Looks like there is no such thing as formaldehyde free toilet tissue and I have had a test that says I am allergic to formaldehyde and formaldehyde producing chemicals…Now what am I supposed to do? I see myself using cotton wash rags for the rest of my life…Surely there is someone who knows a paper toilet product that is free of formaldehyde…
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Jameson September 12, 2016 at 11:25 am
Buy a bidet, the are great for doing away with toilet paper.
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Barbon October 12, 2016 at 6:14 pm
Where did you have that testing don’t. I can,’t find out who tests. for chemical allergies?
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Roseon March 27, 2017 at 8:54 pm
My dermatologist did “patch” testing (and found I’m allergic to formaldehyde). My allergist did ‘scratch’ tests for trees, weeds, grass, molds, etc. Good luck!
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Bonny Trippion November 10, 2017 at 9:50 pm
I have been tested for chemicals and mold at Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine in Charleston. Additionally, I have been treated at COEM for the past two years. There is also another medical practice in Dallas that has a similar program. COEM in Charleston and EHCD in Dallas are very experienced in diagnosing & treating people with mold and chemical exposures that have caused them to become very ill,
I suggest you visit
http://www.coem.com(Charleston)and/or ehcd.com(Dallas) for further information.
I wish you the best of luck on your journey to wellness.Reply
DALIYA ROBSONon October 23, 2018 at 7:36 pm
If you feel you re reacting keep away from all synthetic chemicals .
Am immunologist can test for food allergies. This will help too and avoid all processed grains milk products and sugar before you get really ill. Check all the holistic doctor sites for free advice .
find a functional doctor to check how your liver methylates and other advice.Reply
Mariaon January 3, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Hi Jane ,
I am allergic to formaldehyde too ( I was tested in December 2016) . I buy toilet tissue that is not treated for “strength” or perfumed . It is the basic one that Sainsbury’s supermarket sell ( if there is one in our area)
I avoid ingredients containing urea , quaternium 15 ( anti bacterial add-ons),
DMDM hydantoin , high quality ( ex glossy) paper .
Hope this helps a little .Reply
Mikeon April 12, 2017 at 8:06 pm
Buy a bidet , they are cheap and green . Your button will love me after you start using I have the Lux bidet for the last four years bought it on Amazon for thirty dollars it a million times more hygienic than toilet paper. Treat your button royally with a bidet
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Janeon November 29, 2017 at 12:20 pm
I have found a company that make loo roll without FORMALDEHYDE, it is Cheeky Panda. Stock is available direct from them or amazon. Tried and tested, and I am now symptom free after a number of years of irritation.
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Cynthiaon July 24, 2018 at 5:59 pm
I stayed away from bamboo because you can’t find certified organic bamboo.
“Busted: Bamboo Fabric Loaded with Toxic Chemical”
[…] While bamboo is “rapidly renewable and requires few pesticides to grow,” reports Natural Awakenings, for bamboo fabric, some deem it a “textile fraud.”According to Eco-Chick, Juliette Donatelli who holds an M.S. in Ecology and a B.A. in Globalization and Environmental Science, at least 13 different toxic solvents are used in turning bamboo, which is rough and stalky, into fabric that is soft as silk….
Read more: https://pathtoyourhealth.com/busted-bamboo-fabric-loaded-toxic-chemicals/
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Debra Lynn Daddon July 31, 2018 at 10:07 am
I agree all of this is a problem with bamboo FABRIC but it’s an entirely different process to make bamboo into PAPER. Please don’t confuse the two.
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Moyra Knighton September 18, 2018 at 8:54 am
I saw that ECOS toilet paper is supposed to be formaldehyde free. You can check it out to be sure.
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julienon April 5, 2016 at 9:26 pm
After reading these comments on paper towels for months, i must add my two cents. First, even toilet has to have some wet strength. I cannot imagine going toiletpaper-free! In our home we began using Target paper towels two years ago. They have no odor wet or dry but have excellent strength. We use a third of a paper towel each night to soap up our dishes (no dishwasher machine here) before rinsing the dishes in plain hot water. That piece of papertowel is thrown away each night. This solved to issue of icky sponges and bacteria. Also, we could no longer buy a reasonable sponge. Everything today is cellulose sponges loaded with chemicals. My wife uses paper towels to clean herself in bathroom when toilet tissue isn’t strong enough. (Yes she throws into trash as can’t flush papertowels down the toilet.) She doesn’t use soap (which irritates — gyn agrees) and she finds a third of a Target paper towels with plain hot water is cleansing and soothing, once a day. She is worried this may add chemicals to her body, after gaining info from these posts. She questions whether scraps of cotton would be better, as she’s read that soap stays in clothing after washing in a machine and that that may be too much of a daily burden. I am considering using half a cotton facecloth to wash dishes, though, instead of the third of a papertowel, and use a new one each day. We use 100% cotton towels and Dr Bronner’s “baby” (almost scentless) liquid soap in the washing machine. We’ve tried our best for over 20 years to be informed and make changes along the way. A fact is, in the production of paper towels, toilet paper, and similar, ingredients change, even with the seasons. For example, anti-static chemicals need to be used during manufacturing during very cold and dry “static-y” seasons with the manufacuring equipment. This explained to us years ago why the tolerable Scott Toilet tissue had an odor sometimes. Right now we got a large package that smells perfume-y even though each roll is wrapped in paper before the rolls are plastic wrapped! Could be it’s that anti-static chemical used in manufacturing again!
How much of these things can we control? And if someone gets sick, do we blame ourselves?
We are very careful. We are now upset to give up the Target paper towels we use sparingly. Truth is, there is no way of knowing if TODAY these towels don’t have formaldehyde but tomorrow they may contain it. One FACT we DO know is, formaldehyde and formaldehyde-producing chemicals are in almost every bar soap, liquid soap, handcream, makeup, and the like, BECAUSE we can see these dangerous ingredients listed on the labels clear as day! Go into ANY store, including Whole Foods, with a shortlist of these chemicals, and you will see them in the ingredients lists. Natural soaps and products ARE available, but few in number AND HAVE VERY SHORT LISTS OF INGREDIENTS. Our family beginning in 2016, this year, is buying only products (food AND body care items) with short lists of ingredients. Including bread! It’s boggling how many items’ ingredients lists are huge! At least this is one way to limit exposure daily. And we use olive oil as hand/body cream. It’s a perfect substitute for those chemical laddened “body ate” products. Add your own essential oil, if you must.
Debra, we’ve been hoping for years that you’d invent a product that could test for the presence of formaldehyde-etal in fabrics, towels, clothing, and yes paper towels. I recall thinking i saw such “test patches” 20+ years ago. We really need this.
My wife loves “window shopping” at Home Goods, but never buys anything really as it seems when it comes to linens, pillows, shirts, well, the “wrinkle free” has taken over the world again. What happen to those excellent resin free sheets Wamsutta used to make!? Ours are yet in use after over two decades! God bless y’all! Thank you, again, Debra, for your devoted life’s work!
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Debra Lynn Daddon April 11, 2016 at 6:24 pm
Thank you for your appreciation!
There are formaldehyde monitors that you can carry around.
Here’s one for $47: iDIYtool Formaldehyde Monitor.
Here are many more: Formaldehyde monitors at amazon.com.
I have no experience with any of these monitors.
I used to have those Wamsutta sheets thirty years ago. 🙂
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Jimon December 10, 2016 at 10:01 pm
Emory Hospital Dermatology Clinic, Decatur, Ga.
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Miaon March 15, 2016 at 8:55 pm
On a typical day I awaken in a room in which all electrical circuits are shut off.
The minute I arise, immediately I am faced with countless choices.
Do I use formaldyhyde toilet paper? If I use water instead, then do I use fire retardant soaked towels?
Do I use coconut oil pulling to clean my teeth and mouth instead of trusting to iffy ingredients supposedly organic toothpaste?
When I shower, do I use questionable all “natural” shampoo, conditioner, body gel or hand soap, followed by fire retardant laced facecloths and towels washed in equally questionable organic soap which is unable to not wash out fire retardants? (luckily fabric softener removes fire retardant from otherwise lethal towels , facecloths, sheets, pillow cases, – but what else is lurking in fabric softener? )
Certainly filtered water is one way to avoid exposure to formaldehyde in toilet paper, (that is, if the filtration system is designed to correctly filter water and remove heavy metals and chemicals.)
Then i begin my day, by first not cooking with any coated implement, no silicone, no aluminium, only wooden implements and stainless steel cookware.
I avoid canola oil pesticides and stick with coconut oil.
Later on I will type this while I sit several feet distance from a minimal field of radiation emitted by my computer monitor, even though I have I turned off bluetooth and other features in the computer. And rather than immerse myself in wireless radar I use a hard wired modem, keyboard and mouse, phone.
As I feed my pets organic natural food, i muse about the Hegelian dialectic as applied to the corporate governed “modern” world. And I question whether those who manufacture those costly organic antidotes to this ubiquitous chemical soup, those corporate moguls who have on offer all those alternative non toxic products we spend too much on to counter the poisons in our environment, are the same corporate entities who also poison everything in the first place.
Is the “organic” option owned and operated by the same thugs who lobby to overrule their customer’s legal right to know by hiding behind their corporate right to hide the truth?
Does every corporation including the legal corporations we call government, exist solely to transfer all accountability, liability and risk to customers, for profit (taxes)?Is this what we call “civilization”, wherein manufacturers become obscenely wealthy by protecting themselves from the consumer’s right to know the ingredients and genetic makeup of everything the customer chooses to eat, drink, heat or cool homes, drive to work in, use to “protect” their children?
And how does one expose the invisible hand which favours that corporate right to compromise consumer safety on the basis of the corporation’s right to protect proprietary trade secrets?
Next I will go out on my chemical soaked preserved wood deck to sit in a petroleum based deck chair and drink a detoxification anti cancer tea on a deck located as far away as possible from a neighbour’s smart meter, which emits radar for a three mile radius, and which is akin to the radiation levels emitted from a cell tower.
Yet a smart meter is installed right on every other neighbour’s – except for mine.
And my day has barely begun.
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Debra Lynn Daddon March 28, 2016 at 4:43 pm
I haven’t ever seen reference to the fire retardants on the fabrics you mention. But everything else is true to the best of my knowledge. There are many safer alternatives available for any of us to choose.
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Julie Mon February 23, 2017 at 7:08 am
The most accurate and best comment yet Mia. For anyone who is new to FR – Watch Toxic Hot Seat. You will learn plenty about flame retardants. They are EVERYWHERE and on most things in your home. Flame retardants are particularly hardest on children. From birth to age 5/6 has some of the highest concentrations chemicals on and in their products. An eye opener.
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Danielle Darlinon March 24, 2020 at 6:44 pm
What are the safer substitutes
For Paper towels?
Drawer linings?
Towels for personal care of face and body ?
Can you list manufacturers,
and links to buy them please?
Thank you,
DanielleReply
Lisa Powerson March 29, 2020 at 4:41 pm
I prefer bamboo paper towels such as Ecos and the Vitacost brand. You can read more in this post about toilet paper. Much of it holds true for paper towels.
For towels, I look for GOTS certified organic to ensure that the fabric, dyes and and processing are all free of harmful chemicals. Coyuchi is a high-end, high quality choice. Other great options are Pact and Under the Canopy.
I don’t use drawer linings. Many of them are made of vinyl which is the most toxic plastic. They also use adhesive which can be a source of VOCs. Readers, has anyone found non-toxic drawer liners?Reply
Kristieon February 19, 2018 at 5:41 am
Very sad and very true.
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Mindyon March 8, 2016 at 3:38 am
Do you know anything about the ECOS (brand) paper towels? They are made of Bamboo and Sugarcane. I wonder if they are toxic as well.
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Debra Lynn Daddon March 14, 2016 at 10:53 pm
I don’t know anything about the processing but bamboo and sugarcane are fine to use. Bamboo doesn’t require pesticides.
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peteron January 26, 2016 at 10:33 pm
I would like to bring up the subject of formaldehyde in TEA BAGS having been reliably informed that (not only) Chinese tea bags imported through New Zealand and in some products filled in NZ and sold as a NZ product ‘India Tea’ contain testable amounts of formaldehyde in the tea bag, to hold them together better in a wet condition. DOES anyone else out there have any evidence or knowledge of this???.
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Karenon March 2, 2016 at 5:42 am
Very interesting comments. I am trying to find products that do not contain formaldehyde. It seems to be in everything. I have recently found out that I am allergic to it. I really need to try to avoid it without living in a capsule. I have had several different symptoms for the past five years, skin rash, eye irritation, fatigue and cancer. Any suggestions of any products that are best to use that don’t contain formaldehyde? I can really use help on this. Thank you.
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LB Riceon January 16, 2016 at 1:24 am
I have recently developed an allergy below my eyes. I use several eye drops and medicines and am constantly wiping my eyes with tissues to dry off the excess drops that roll down my face, after inserting the eye drops. I have used the same eye drops for years, but have recently changed facial tissues. I believe I can align the onset of my eye issues with the first purchase of Kleenex facial tissues, purchased a BJs. I previously used Kirkland Signature facial tissues. I am trying to research if there is a difference between how each facial tissue is produced (i.e contains formaldehyde, uses bleach to whiten the products, etc). I never had problems with the Kirkland Brand of tissues (purchased from Costco), but would like to find out ingredients or processing differences between the two products. Toward this end, I have scoured the internet but can’t find anything about Kirkland Brand processing. The info on Kleenex tells me to stop using the brand right away. But I would like some definitive data as to whether Kirkland is made any better than Kleenex, If not, than I need to search elsewhere for an answer to the cause of my new contact dermatitis/allergy. Any ideas where to find the ingredients and processing information for these products?
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Debra Lynn Daddon January 18, 2016 at 1:38 pm
At this point in time there is no big database where you can find ingredients and processing information for individual brand name products, but wouldn’t that be great?
I suggest starting by contacting these two companies and getting as much information as you can. And when you do that, I hope you’ll post it here.
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Rosemarieon February 24, 2016 at 11:59 pm
The paper products I purchase at Whole Foods are not bleached. I used their own brand “365” they are less expensive. Was not aware of formaldehyde in paper products; will have to do some research.
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Tinoon November 19, 2015 at 4:01 pm
If you’re going to try and protect yourself from formaldehyde on a daily basis, you might as well seal yourself in a capsule. I wouldn’t worry about this that much unless you come in contact with a large enough source that it will affect you. Read the following and you will see that it is also produced naturally in your body. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp111-c1.pdf
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Yuri Futanarion November 14, 2015 at 4:03 pm
I have always relied on paper towels for personal hygiene and not much else, but I now recall that I have filtered cooking oil and beverages through them before and now I wonder how dangerous this is!
Even setting super hot fried foods on one…will that not cause them to break down and mingle with the residual cooking fat in the foods you placed in contact with them? [nervous shuddering!]
I do not know where to find out what is on the type I use [wal mart house brand because they are the cheapest per Sq Ft] but I am wondering now if all of them are pretty much dangerous for food preparation and I know its a common practice to place hot fried foods on them to soak up excess oil, could this be more dangerous than consuming the excess fat is?
What are the odds that these chemicals are unstable and volatile or fat soluble at the temperatures of a piece of hot fried food, or if they will break down in the presence of microbes on the human body in a warm moist environment?
If you it them mix with bleach which is known to react with amides such as urea and formaldahyde it will create toxic gases! http://www.champion-newera.com/CHAMP.PDFS/encyclo639.pdf
I think it is safe to say that paper towels may be a very dangerous item to have on hand [literally!]!
I know I am highly dependent on them at this time, but I know now I will never again use them for draining hot oil [I will use cotton cloths only] and I will never again use them with bleach or any types of acids or caustics where they can release toxins!
Thank you for this article as it has greatly raised my awareness on the matter!
I shall endeavor to make these changes right away and the only thing now is how to replace them as personal hygene pads as cotton disintegrates in my body’s acidity and therefore will not last long as a reusable hygiene item [I already tried and found out].
I have thought of making an intert spun polyester based body hygiene item for a long time, perhaps the time has come to finally take a shot at it. I now know I have to be careful even here since in the process of making it I have to be mindful of what I use to polymerize it or it will be just as or even more dangerous than what it is intended to replace!
I just today read an article about toxins in santiary feminine products so its already there as well. http://www.womensvoices.org/issues/detox-the-box/always-pads-testing-results/ and here is one about toilet paper http://www.lahealthyliving.com/health/why-your-white-toilet-paper-is-toxic/
I am grateful that people are helping make us all aware!
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bryan spraulon November 12, 2015 at 12:57 pm
I would also like to corroborate what Steve said. Towel and tissue is made with PAE resins. Formaldehyde resins are a thing of the past in the tissue/towel market. UF is cheap but running the machines alkaline brings many more benefits.
As for naturally occurring formaldehyde P&G is correct. It is both naturally occurring and is also the result of heating wood. Keep in mind that trees need to protect themselves so they naturally produce biocides/insecticides ie tannins.
So much formaldehyde is generated during the curing process to make wood products (MDF/Particleboard) that glues that have no formaldehyde in them need to add formaldehyde scavengers to the glue in order to meet CARB regulations. These NAF resins are still better than UF because they will not continue to emit formaldehyde as they age, but in the short term (~ 2 weeks) the emissions are measurable. This is more of a issue for the manufacturer passing testing rather than a consumer as the emissions from an NAF quickly fall to baseline upon aging.
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Shaneon May 17, 2017 at 5:15 pm
I have to share here, as I don’t believe that is accurate. My wife has severe auto immune disorders, so I recently started having items in my home tested. Construction materials, especially flooring and cabinets made from pressed wood often contain formaldehyde. While testing cheap laminate flooring we had installed, which was at .3ppm, not good but not terrible, I had our paper towels tested. Bounty brand paper towels, tested at .7ppm. That is certainly not a result of the wood being heated. Only explanation could be adhesive in my opinion.
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Debra Lynn Daddon May 22, 2017 at 11:17 am
Thanks very much for these test results.
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B Remleyon October 27, 2015 at 7:38 am
I have had bladder issues for years now and I have always used rolled up paper towels for accidents. I roll them in a shape that looks like a sanitary pad. My question is After reading these comments about chemicals how could this long time use effect my bladder, vagin* and my rectum areas? I’m very concerned because I may have caused more problems by using paper towels for urinary accidents. I have had break downs in this area and want to know if paper towels caused this? I have always been ashamed to tell my Doctor that this is what was the cheapest way to deal with my accidents. This past year I have even put commode by my bed because it helps me have less nighttime accidents. I have also seen a urologist and He told me I had no
problems so I just have quietly dealt with this on my own. Please tell me if the paper towels have made this worse.
Thank You.Reply
Debra Lynn Daddon October 27, 2015 at 12:33 pm
I can’t say definitively, but it’s possible. At any rate, paper towels are not designed for that use. They are designed for cleaning. So they very well may have chemicals in them that could be harmful if used in that area of your body.
I recommend that you make reusable pads from cotton flannel, like old flannel sheets, if you have them, or buy some cotton by the yard. Flannel is best for this purpose. You don’t even need to hem the edges. Since they are reusable, it’s really the most economical solution. Try this and see if your bladder issues clear up.
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Jenniferon October 27, 2015 at 5:44 pm
Since many women have found relief from painful periods from switching from conventional sanitary products (with all kinds of chemicals) to reusable cotton products, it is possible that the chemicals in the paper towels could be affecting you in a similar manner. There are many sellers on Etsy who make pads (mamma cloth) for feminine needs and for bladder issues. If you do not sew, you could look at the Etsy site and see if any of those pads meet your needs. Also, perhaps you could look into a structural reason for your bladder issues (Egoscue, chiropractic).
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Yuri Futanarion November 14, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Wow! I suppose I did not really assume I was the only person who used paper towels in this manner, but I really did not expect to see it posted or ever find out!
I was just looking up this topic BECAUSE I use them for the same reasons!
I wonder how many other people use them for personal hygiene in this manner…
*pondering*
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Susanon February 13, 2016 at 3:00 am
Paper towels smell fishy to me. Now I know why. I’lm going to order dozens of cotton tea towels, and rolls of flannel, with the hope they are resin-free ( more formaldehyde). Thank you for all your comments, which don’t surprise me but they are affirming. I too try to keep my house toxic-free. What about paper products from Whole Foods?
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Debra Lynn Daddon February 14, 2016 at 3:58 pm
I haven’t evaluated that brand specifically, but I have no reason to believe they are different from any others.
Whole Foods products are probably not manufactured by them, but rather are manufactured by some brand name and then “private labeled” for them. So it’s likely they are similar if not exactly the same as other products.
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Dawnon January 16, 2016 at 10:08 pm
Your frequent bladder issues that have been difficult to bring under control may have a solution with the use of essential oils. We have had some success with our blend that is custom hand blended for bladder issues, frequent urination, urinary infections, etc. It is comprised of rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, clary sage, geranium, lavender, oregano and others. You can try putting something together yourself or you can contact us at our store, A Thyme For All Seasonings, or check out the essential oil blends on our website http://www.athymeforallseasonings.com for assistance. After having my daughter I started having problems with urinary infections and frequent urination. After the problem became chronic using medicine, I decided to take the holistic path and use essential oils to bring it under control, with success. Maybe this can work for you too.
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Colleen Buskirkon April 11, 2017 at 3:55 pm
Eating pumpkin seeds may help with the bladder leakage depending on how much leakage there is. They help to strengthen the muscles. How it works I don’t know. I discovered this when dog of ours developed urinary leakage and a product I bought for her had pumpkin seeds in it as the main ingredient. The pumpkin seeds helped her as well as me with stress incontinence while sneezing & coughing. I just sprinkled 1 tablespoon in my salads every day. Also try kegal exercises.
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Nell Covingtonon November 28, 2017 at 3:23 pm
B, I hope you are still following this thread. If the urologist told you that you don’t have problems, then it might be food allergies. I recently found that my magnesium was causing me to get up during the night and also go more during the day (along with other symptoms). I know from past experiences, foods can do the same if you are allergic. You might get tested, if you haven’t already. Hope things have improved for you by now. Good luck.
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K. Roushon February 9, 2018 at 1:51 am
As this topic is extremely fresh to me I have to say that I have had a growing problem with incontinence. However, quite by accident, it was discovered that I’ve had a 12cm ovarian cyst that was wedged against my bladder! I am recovering from a hysterectomy and am amazed how my years-long problem is, for the most part, gone! I am over 65. Apparently ovarian cysts are not unusual postmenopausal.
On formaldehyde, decades ago I could only spend 15 minutes at a time in a certain fabric store because of off-gassing of formaldehyde and poor air-exchange system. A house we lived in for a few years had paneling. Whenever we went away for a few days, the odor was strong for a day. We now hesitate to get new flooring and new furniture. Frustrating. We did have one floor replaced a few years ago with fake-wood and I was surprised how little it bothered me.
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Chris Dixonon August 28, 2015 at 6:09 pm
Does Scott Shop towels (blue “for tough jobs” ) safe to use in the kitchen to dry lettuce, absorb bacon oil, wipe water off washed fruit, clean kitchen table with? Does it have have formaldehyde in it? The package says it has “20% recycled post consumer polymer”-is that okay to use with food?
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Debra Lynn Daddon August 31, 2015 at 10:44 pm
I don’t know for a fact what is in those towels, but they are intended for shop use, not for food contact.
I have several dozen 100% cotton kitchen towels that I use for all the tasks you listed above. I just throw them in the washer and I always have a clean supply.
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Steveon May 1, 2015 at 7:52 pm
I would consider myself a highly credible source – PAE resins are used in ALL paper towels in North America, in both at-home and away-from-home markets. No formaldehyde at all. PAE is required to hold a towel together when wet, and is currently the best available technology. There may be a slight odor to it because the molecule is designed for strength in the presence of water, not fragrance, but the odor is merely a side effect. Some more environmentally conscious producers use a type of PAE with less 1,3-DCP, which can be carcinogenic in extremely high doses – like bulk tanks – not trace amounts in the towel itself. A smaller amount of PAE is used in the production of facial tissue and napkins, but certainly not bath tissue, which would cause problems with plumbing. “Cheap” paper towels with very low wet strength will have less PAE in it – but the vast majority of consumers buy paper towels for strength in use, so more is actually better in this case.
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Debra Lynn Daddon May 4, 2015 at 8:48 pm
Thank you. I always like to learn.
Here is a brochure about one brand of PAE. It is indeed used for wet-strength paper.
http://solenis.com/files/9214/1597/3887/sol3366-01KymeneBro-SpreadsD13c.pdf
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Scotton March 29, 2015 at 12:16 am
These large-company PR responses are predictable, irresponsible and are indicative of a money-first consumer-fifth mentality.
“It may be helpful to know that formaldehyde is a naturally occurring substance…”
So is Uranium 235 but that doesn’t mean it should end-up in consumer products.
Quote “…formaldehyde in the processing of the product, we don’t test for it in the finished product.”
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Caryon September 24, 2015 at 7:39 pm
Not that I’m trying to defend Proctor & Gamble, but didn’t they confirm in writing that they “check that our raw materials do not contain any formaldehyde either”. So perhaps their glue uses PAE which does not contain formaldehyde.
I think the bigger concern with paper towels in general are the ones made from recycled materials because it’s a big bag of unknown chemicals, allergens such as BPA, latex, etc.
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RTon December 7, 2014 at 7:18 pm
I am not buying these paper towels again. Have complained of this chemical odor with my family members. They are trying to make the towel stronger, but this process provides and unhealthy product. Bounty does not offer their process information, as they know people would not purchase. Think about using this against your face, mouth or with foods! Paper towels are primarily used In the kitchen, what are they thinking? I knew this was not an issue for only my family.
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Aubrey Leonon March 5, 2015 at 4:10 am
I have a test. Blow your nose with paper towel and after you finish blowing, breathe in through your nose. If you smell a smell of rotten flesh, there is formaldehyde in the paper. Bounty seems to smell that way…..Bounty Basic does not smell that way and is much less expensive than regular Bounty…by a lot
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Pramada Kisielaon September 16, 2014 at 4:29 pm
When I read that paper towels have these toxins in them, I realized why I hate them! I always noticed a bit of an bad smell to them, and after reading, I dampened one and put it to my nose – eeek! horrible. I will not be using them in the kitchen any more. Sadly my husband bought a few packages of them but from now on they are solely for cleaning up ick on the floor and most of them I will give to him for shop use.
Only Seventh Generation paper towels from now on, and I will use my rag bag instead. I save ALL clean cotton worn out sheets, tee shirts, flannel nighties etc and cut or rip up for useful rags. It is a habit I learned from my other and I use them for bandages, cleaning, drying cloths etc.
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Daisyon September 2, 2014 at 1:37 pm
I’ve also read that paper towels contain BPA, apparently because nowadays many paper towels are at least partially made from recycled paper, which is often contaminated with BPA from store receipts. It’s even more disturbing to think that toilet paper is likely to contain these same toxins!
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SallySMileson September 13, 2014 at 12:00 pm
This concerns me as well, those chemicals don’t dissipate during processing and agree are bound to show up in the recycled products.so the old cotton dishrag is a household regular at my house –
Greenpeace has an app that you can carry with you for in store reference and their article on it is interesting.
http://www.greenpeace.org/tissueguide.
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Debra Lynn Daddon September 15, 2014 at 4:59 pm
I couldn’t get the app to read the article, can you send it to me?
From what I could read on the page, Greenpeace is recommending recycled paper tissue products, but they may contain toxic chemicals from inks on the recycled paper as well as the wet strength chemicals. So as much as I agree with saving trees, from a toxics viewpoint, virgin paper is probably safer.
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M.on August 27, 2014 at 2:48 pm
I usually use Seventh Generation paper towels but ran out of them one week and bought Sponge Towels paper towels. I used them on my hands and developed rashes. I’m guessing it has additives as well. Thanks to the reader who looked into this and shared the results!!
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Sandy Van Wagoneron August 26, 2014 at 11:25 pm
Does that mean there is formaldehyde in napkins and toilet paper too since they are both paper products?
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Debra Lynn Daddon September 1, 2014 at 5:19 pm
There COULD be. The problem is we don’t have DISCLOSURE OF INGREDIENTS from these companies. So all I can tell you is in general. I will do more research on this soon.
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BRon January 22, 2017 at 6:42 pm
PAPER TOWELS ARE NOT MANUFACTURED, NOR ARE THEY MARKETED TO BE USED AS AN APPARATUS TO CLEAN ONES BODY. THEY ARE DESIGNED AND MARKETED FOR ABSORBING SPILLS IN THE KITCHEN, OR USED LIKE A CLOTH TO CLEAN WINDOWS/MIRRORS, KITCHEN AND BATROOM AREAS…ETC.
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Debra Lynn Daddon January 23, 2017 at 12:57 pm
Yes correct. As I’ve said many times before you should only use a product for the purpose for which it is sold.
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