By jellybean_oz
Date 17.05.04 01:04 UTC
I recieved this email from a friend in America
Swiffer Wetjet toxic!
Warning for your animal's health:
I recently had a neighbor who had to have their 5-year old German
Shepherd dog put down due to liver failure. The dog was completely
healthy until a few weeks ago, so they had a necropsy done to see
what the cause was. The liver levels were unbelievable, as if the dog
had ingested poison of some kind. The dog is kept inside, and when
he's outside, someone's with him, so the idea of him getting into
something unknown was hard to believe. My neighbor started going through all
the items in the house. When he got to the Swiffer Wetjet, he noticed,
in very tiny print, a warning which stated "may be harmful to small
children and animals." He called the company to ask what the
contents of the cleaning agent are and was astounded to find out that
anitfreeze is one of the ingredients. (actually he was told it's a
compound which is one molecule away from anitfreeze). Therefore,
just by the dog walking on the floor cleaned with the solution, then
licking it's own paws, and the dog eating from its dishes which
were kept on the kitchen floor cleaned with this product, it ingested
enough of the solution to destroy its liver. Soon after his dog's
death, his housekeepers' two cats also died of liver failure. They
both used the Swiffer Wetjet for quick cleanups on their floors.
Necropsies weren't done on the cats, so they couldn't file a
lawsuit, but he asked that we spread the word to as many people as possible
so they don't lose their animals.....
By tohme
Date 17.05.04 01:12 UTC
This is an internet hoax:
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.