TOXIC EFFECTS ON DOMESTICATED PETS AND HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS: The Swiffer Wet Jet Darlene Chavez Joe Agnew Nadine Mathews.

TOXIC EFFECTS ON DOMESTICATED PETS TOXIC EFFECTS ON DOMESTICATED PETS AND HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS:AND HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS:

The Swiffer Wet JetThe Swiffer Wet Jet

Darlene Chavez

Joe Agnew

Nadine Mathews

Rumor vs. FactRumor vs. Fact

The Swiffer Household cleaner has been the subject of much debate over whether or not it is safe to use in the presence of animals and children. However, is there real potential for danger or is it just unnecessary paranoia?

WE WANT YOU TO DECIDE

Common Concerns Regarding the Swiffer Solution and Pets

Swiffer solution contains chemicals that are supposedly bad for domestic pets.– Liver and Kidney problems are the major

concern for domestic petsPets are attracted to the solution due to

certain chemicals that has a desirable taste.– Sweet taste (similar to antifreeze)

SWIFFER WET JETSWIFFER WET JET

Used to clean household floors

Can be highly toxic to domesticated animals especially domestic dogs and cats

SWIFFER WET JET cont. SWIFFER WET JET cont.

Antibacterial solution containing several chemicals and compounds

Route of exposure-GI tract through natural grooming and ingestion

Chemical Properties (MSDS):Chemical Properties (MSDS):

Key Ingredients:

– Water 90% – Propylene gylcol n-propyl ether 1– 4%

(Similar to Ethylene Glycol)

– Isopropyl alcohol Z1-4%– Minor ingredients and preservatives <

1%Preservatives <0.1%

Chemical Properties Cont.Chemical Properties Cont.

PROPYLENE GLYCOL N-PROPYL ETHER-a compound that is found in anti-freeze

Please see next slide for detailed Chemical properties

PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOPROPYL ETHER

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

CAS NO. 1569-01-3

EINECS NO. 250-069-8

FORMULA CH3CH2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH3

MOL WT. 118.18

H.S. CODE 2909.49

TOXICITY  

SYNONYMS Propylene Glycol n-Propyl Ether; Propylene glycol propyl ether;

propyl propasol; 1-Propoxy-2-propanol; Propasol solvent P; 1-propoxy-2-propanol;

DERIVATION  

CLASSIFICATION  

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

PHYSICAL STATE clear liquid

MELTING POINT -80 C

BOILING POINT 140 - 160 C

SPECIFIC GRAVITY 0.880 - 0.889

SOLUBILITY IN WATER miscible

pH  

VAPOR DENSITY  

AUTOIGNITION 252 C

NFPA RATINGS  

REFRACTIVE INDEX 1.4110

FLASH POINT 48 C

STABILITY Stable under ordinary conditions

APPLICATIONS

Propylene Glycol Monopropyl Ether is promary used in cleaning product due to the balance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic property. It is used as a solvent and/or coupling agent for hard surface cleaners, water-reducible aerosol paint formulations amd grease and paint removers.

SALES SPECIFICATION

APPEARANCE clear liquid

PURITY 98.5% max

COLOR, APHA 20 max

WATER 0.1% max

TRANSPORTATION

PACKING  

HAZARD CLASS  

UN NO.  

REMARKS

Modes of Entry:Modes of Entry:

Ingestion from licking Swiffer wet floors Ingestion from licking swiffer wet pawsInhalation Transcutaneous absorption

Modes of Entry Cont.

Ingestion– Most frequently used mode of absorption– Happens in one of two ways

Ingestion through directly licking up Swiffer solution from the floor (possibly due to its naturally sweet taset)

Ingestion through grooming / licking one’s paws after walking on floor recently cleaned with Swiffer solution.

Modes of Entry Cont.

Inhalation– Much less used mode of entry for several

reasons Molecules must be volatilized to enter system Animals, including domestic pets, are constantly

breathing toxins in through inhalation, therefore, the lungs have many defenses against possible toxins breathed it.

– Makes this mode of entry must less frequent

Modes of Entry Cont.

Transcutaneous Entry– Entry directly into the cells through the skin– Least important modes of entry for domestic

animals for several reasons. With fur and thick hides, transcutaneous entry is

very rare and probably does not play much of a role at all.

In addition to fur and thick hides, thick skin on the paws makes this mode of entry very poor.

Mechanism of Action:Mechanism of Action:Propylene GlycolPropylene Glycol

Renal toxins target:– Affects Proximal tubules glomerular epithelial cells and

medullary interstitial cells– Under certain pH levels, oxalic acid can precipitate as

calcium oxalate crystals which form a majority of kidney stones and cause renal problems.

– Over time, too much abuse in the kidney can cause renal failure and can lead to death.

Please go to next slide and follow arrows for

diagram of effected areas in the kidneys

Glomerular capsule & glomerular epithelial cells

Medullary interstitial and medullary interstitial cells

Mechanism of Action Cont.Mechanism of Action Cont.

Biotransformation:– Ethylene glycol involves progressive oxidation to

produce glycolic glyoxylic and oxalic acids

Oxalic acid:– Combines with metal ions i.e. Ca2+, Fe2+, and Mg2+– Deposited in kidneys as crystals – Specifically Ca2+ become calcium oxalate precipitate

Mechanism of Action Cont.Ca2+ and Oxalic Acid

Effects of precipitation due to Oxalic Acid Crystal Formation– In Humans the formation of these crystals is

typically the formation of Kidney Stones– In domesticated pets the formation of these

crystals lead to renal failure and cause eventual death

Toxic Effects:Toxic Effects:Cats and DogsCats and Dogs

Cats and dogs have difficulty with biotransformation phase II– Lack of normal phase II biotransformation

leaves higher toxicity levels of phase I metabolites, oxalic acid

– The higher level of the phase I metabolite will again lead to an increase in crystal precipitate formation.

Additional Risks In Cats

Cats are unique because their erythrocytes composition

Cat hemoglobin contains high levels of sulfhydryl which predisposes them to oxidative damage, the damage leads to erythrocyte membrane damage, hence phase I oxidation disrupted (with respect to certain chemicals)

Visible Signs in Cats Visible Signs in Cats

Lethargic– Sleepy, Tired Behavior

Abdominal distress– Vomiting, Diarrhea

Urinary problems Seizures Hemolysis (cats) Lesions in oral cavity Necrosis

Visible Signs in Dogs

Similar to the signs in Cats– Lethargic – Abdominal Problems– Urinary Problems – Seizures– Lesions in the Oral Cavity

Risk for Pets: Is it Real of Fake?

There is very little risk for pets to develop liver problems

The risks do lie in renal failure due to the formation of crystals

Are the chemicals used in the Swiffer solution really dangerous when used as directed?

Risk cont.

According to research, the amount of propylene glycol n-propyl ether found in Swiffer is not at any lethal amount for household pets

Kidney problems can result, but they do not result unless the dose administered is much higher than the dose found in the cleaner.– Implies that when used as directed the Swiffer

solution is safe.

Risk cont.ASPCA Rebuttal

ASPCA poison control center has issued a statement defending Swiffer products– According to veterinarians, the ingredients found are

safe when Swiffer is used as directed.– Ingredients (propylene glycol n-propyl ether) are much

less toxic than ehtylene glycol, the key chemical responsible for fatal antifreeze ingestion.

– When used as directed, no kidney or liver damage will result according to the ASPCA.

Risk cont. Things to Remember

Research can be skewed or show results favoring either side, depending on interpretation

Swiffer brand is owned by Proctor and Gamble, a multibillion dollar company that can fund its own research

Although research seems to show that normal doses are safe, it is still important to remember that this data may be skewed or under certain conditions where ingested doses are strictly controlled

Safety concerns are still present and pet owners need to be aware

Awareness and Tougher Awareness and Tougher RegulationsRegulations

Although there is still debate over the true safety concerns, tougher regulations could greatly reduce pet safety hazards.– Warning labels on packaging that read of the

true damage to domesticated pets (same as anti-freeze)

– Better legislation requiring that a bitter agent be added to reduce the attraction by pets (same as anti-freeze)

Ways to Have a Safer HouseholdWays to Have a Safer Household

Keep chemicals up and away from pet access.

When cleaning, keep pets outside or away until area is completely dry and clear of fumes.

Replace chemicals with natural products with vinegar, bleach, and citrus products

Conclusion

The chemicals in Swiffer solution (in addition to related chemicals) have been found to cause kidney problems in household pets.

Lack of Biotransformation II in dogs and cats cause an increase in the phase I metabolite

Conclusion cont.

When doses are applied as recommended, there seems to be no health risk posed to animals, according to research

However, research is typically funded by the same companies who have specific interest in the Swiffer solution.

Although the debate continues, it is better to be safe than sorry when cleaning floors with pets in the home.

Works CitedWorks Cited

Osweiler, G.D., Grauer, G.F., Toxicology Chapter 7. www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ccah/documents/FelHus%20Ch7.pdf

Billets. S., 2007. A Literature Review of Wipe Sampling methods for Chemical Warfare Agents and Toxic Industrial Chemicals. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/antifreeze.html

Works CitedWorks Cited

Diseases caused by alcohols, glycols,and ketones. www.whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/1986/924154211X_(chp21-25).pdf

Tremayne, Jessica. July 2004. DVM: The new magazine of Veterinary medicine. Vol. 35. Issue 7, pg 9.

www.swiffer.com