What Is Inside Those Disposable Diapers?

Register Here

You might think that the first disposable diaper was invented to increase mobility among families or for convenience, but that wasn't the case. Disposable diapers were developed by Marion Donovan after World War II due to a cotton shortage. It wasn't long, however, before mothers realized the practical everyday benefits of Donovan's 1950 diaper design: a rectangular plastic covering (initially made from shower curtains) over layers of tissue paper.

Since then, disposable diapers have gone through many changes; including more than 1,000 patents filed in their name. Disposable diapers increased in popularity following the introduction of SAP, Super Absorbent Polymer, in diapers in the mid-80s (more on this below). Today, an estimated 90% of US parents use disposable diapers, much to the chagrin of environmental activists who consider the landfill impact unethical.

Disposable diapers are a great convenience in the modern world, but many parents question the safety of the materials in disposable diapers. Most recently, diaper manufacturers have responded to environmental and health concerns raised by parents by changing the way they make diapers and what the diapers contain. There is a trend toward greener and more biodegradable disposable diapers, which we view as a step in the right direction. However, we're not out of the woods yet and depending on which brand of diaper you choose, the risks and impact can vary. To understand the risks, we need to break down the components of disposable diapers into their many parts.

Know the Basics

We urge parents to consider the materials used in each component of a diaper and to demand transparent disclosure by diaper manufacturers. (something not often provided or hidden on their company website in obscure locations). A summary of the essential diaper components is below.

• Inner Layer or Top Sheet - this layer sits next to your baby's skin and is, therefore, the front line on any toxicity or materials risk issue. This material is key. We believe you should require your diaper provider to disclose what their inner layer is (we found that many of them don't).
• Absorbent Core - this layer absorbs fluids, but when your baby repositions, fluid can be squeezed out of the core and back onto baby's skin. This liquid can be potentially contaminated by the core materials and is no longer just baby waste. To enhance absorbency, all of the diapers we tested includes a matrix of fluff material and chemical crystals, known as Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP), to soak up and trap fluid (more on this below). The role of the fluff, usually made from wood pulp and may also include wheat/corn-based materials, is to distribute the fluid across the diaper surface, while the SAP is intended to absorb and lock liquids in the core and away from the baby. The bulk of the diaper is composed of the core materials. We consider this the 2nd most important element to understand.
• Waterproof Outer Shell - all disposable diapers include a waterproof material for the diaper's outer shell. This layer is most often a petroleum-based plastic or plastic-treated material. Some green diaper companies use a plant-based plastic
   to provide the waterproof coating, which you may see referred to as PLA or polylactic acid in their ingredients.