From:
ferret-health-list@por-torres.com
Date: 2004-05-17 12:47:25 UTC
Subject: RE: rumors of Swiffer Wet Jet toxicity
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <3954245.1084798045367.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
I have stopped using common (Proctor & Gamble, Colgate Palmolive, etc) cleaners out of concern for both animals and humans.* Many of these products contain harsh chemicals, generate harmful fumes, and other issues I am not comfortable in having around loved ones. Especially considering:
1. Ferrets don't eat in front of their bowls. They grab a morsel, scurry a couple of feet, and munch away. The food comes in contact with the floor, along with any residual cleaning product used on that floor.
2. Ferrets walk on the floor, lay on the floor, play on the floor, etc... They groom themselves, and each other, by licking the fur. I'm sure you see where I am going with this. Any residue from the floor cleaner is going to be cleaned off.
Some may argue that these residuals, even if toxic, would be ingested in such small amounts that no harm would occur. I do not disagree. I prefer to play it safe, and if I don't have to risk it, I am not going to. I would much rather have an insignificant amount of non-toxic product ingested, than an insignificant amount of toxic product ingested.
For the past couple of months I've been using Method cleaners** which contain non-toxic / biodegradable ingredients. (http://www.methodhome.com/safety.html) They also work really well, and don 't make you feel like you're in chem lab when you clean.
-T. Torres
Note:
* Most of the major corporations test on animals. I bring this up for a NON-political reason. By testing on animals the companies avoid the modern, more sensitive tests (e.g. cell cultures).
** I came across the Method brand at Target. Out of paranoia, let me be clear: I don't work for the company, know anyone that works for the company, etc... I did write them an email to congratulate them on a great product, and ask them some questions (they responded quickly with answers).
Author wrote:
> Today I received an email from someone alleging that the cleaning fluid
> in Swiffer Wet Jets contained an antifreeze-like ingredient and was
> responsible for the death of several pets. Since someone at work told
> me a couple days ago she had gotten one as well, I did a quick search
> on the Internet and found the following press release at the ASPCA
> site:
> <http://www.aspca.org/site/News2?
> page=NewsArticle&id=16054&security=2220&news_iv_ctrl=1400>
> Quick summary: although some of the ingredients have similar names to
> antifreeze ingredients, they are chemically very different and are safe
> when used as directed.
> So you don't need to throw away those Swiffers for cleaning up your
> fuzzies misses! Of course one should always make sure any cleaning
> products have dried completely before turning the ferrets loose.
> Linda Iroff