A California bill that would require diaper manufacturers to disclose all intentionally added ingredients on product packaging and online has advanced to the state Senate. Assembly Bill 1901, authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), aims to provide parents with greater transparency regarding the materials in products that come into close and constant contact with infants.
Berman, a father of a young child, stated that he was surprised to find that diapers were exempt from ingredient disclosure requirements that apply to most other baby products. "Parents deserve better than a guessing game, especially when it comes to a product that will be touching their baby’s skin for every minute of every day for the first two years of their lives," Berman said.
The bill overwhelmingly passed the state Assembly with a 68-1 vote in May and is now under consideration in the state Senate. The push for ingredient transparency has gained support from various advocates, including actress Hillary Swank, who is the chief innovation officer for HealthyBaby, a non-toxic diaper brand. Swank, a mother of twins, echoed Berman's sentiments, expressing her own curiosity about diaper contents after becoming a parent.
Consumer Reports, a co-sponsor of the legislation, analyzed ingredient lists for 31 brands of disposable diapers. Their findings indicated that only two brands disclosed all or nearly all materials, while seven others provided minimal information. Gabe Knight, Senior Safety Policy Analyst for Consumer Reports, emphasized the importance of ingredient transparency for parents making informed choices about their baby's health, noting that a baby's skin is delicate and highly absorbent.
Consumer advocacy groups have raised concerns about potential health impacts from chemicals found in some diapers. Research published in Toxics last year indicated that babies using diapers containing phthalates, synthetic chemicals used as plasticizers, showed traces of these substances in their urine. The study suggested a potential link between such chemicals and DNA damage that could predispose infants to chronic diseases later in life.
"Diapers can contain thousands — not just a few, but thousands — of different materials and chemicals, including those that can alter a baby’s hormones, harm their nervous system, or make them more susceptible to cancer, reproductive problems, asthma, or severe rashes," Swank stated. The legislation, as proposed, would not ban any specific ingredients but would mandate full disclosure by companies manufacturing or selling diapers in California. Amidst these discussions, some parents are opting for cloth diapers, with wool emerging as a popular material due to its perceived natural properties and potential long-term cost savings compared to disposable options.