TOXIC EFFECTS ON DOMESTICATED PETS AND HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS: The Swiffer Wet Jet

1
TOXIC EFFECTS ON DOMESTICATED PETS AND HOUSEHOLD
CLEANERSThe Swiffer Wet Jet

• Darlene Chavez
• Joe Agnew
• Nadine Mathews

2
Rumor 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

3
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 pets
• Pets are attracted to the solution due to certain
  chemicals that has a desirable taste.
• Sweet taste (similar to antifreeze)

4
SWIFFER WET JET

• Used to clean household floors
• Can be highly toxic to domesticated animals
  especially domestic dogs and cats

5
SWIFFER WET JET cont.

• Antibacterial solution containing several
  chemicals and compounds
• Route of exposure-GI tract through natural
  grooming and ingestion

6
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 lt 1
• Preservatives lt0.1

7
Chemical Properties Cont.

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

Please see next slide for detailed Chemical
properties
8
PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOPROPYL ETHER PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOPROPYL ETHER PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOPROPYL ETHER
PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION 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 Propylene Glycol n-Propyl Ether Propylene glycol propyl ether
propyl propasol 1-Propoxy-2-propanol Propasol solvent P 1-propoxy-2-propanol propyl propasol 1-Propoxy-2-propanol Propasol solvent P 1-propoxy-2-propanol propyl propasol 1-Propoxy-2-propanol Propasol solvent P 1-propoxy-2-propanol
DERIVATION    
CLASSIFICATION    
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL STATE clear liquid clear liquid
MELTING POINT -80 C -80 C
BOILING POINT 140 - 160 C 140 - 160 C
SPECIFIC GRAVITY 0.880 - 0.889 0.880 - 0.889
SOLUBILITY IN WATER miscible miscible
pH    
VAPOR DENSITY    
AUTOIGNITION 252 C 252 C
NFPA RATINGS    
REFRACTIVE INDEX 1.4110 1.4110
FLASH POINT 48 C 48 C
STABILITY Stable under ordinary conditions Stable under ordinary conditions
APPLICATIONS APPLICATIONS 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. 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. 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 SALES SPECIFICATION SALES SPECIFICATION
APPEARANCE clear liquid clear liquid
PURITY 98.5 max 98.5 max
COLOR, APHA 20 max 20 max
WATER 0.1 max 0.1 max
TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION
PACKING    
HAZARD CLASS    
UN NO.    
REMARKS REMARKS REMARKS
     
9
Modes of Entry

• Ingestion from licking Swiffer wet floors
• Ingestion from licking swiffer wet paws
• Inhalation
• Transcutaneous absorption

10
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 ones paws
  after walking on floor recently cleaned with
  Swiffer solution.

11
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

12
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.

13
Mechanism of ActionPropylene 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

14
Glomerular capsule glomerular epithelial cells
Medullary interstitial and medullary interstitial
cells
15
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

16
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

17
Toxic EffectsCats 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.

18
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)

19
Visible Signs in Cats

• Lethargic
• Sleepy, Tired Behavior
• Abdominal distress
• Vomiting, Diarrhea
• Urinary problems
• Seizures
• Hemolysis (cats)
• Lesions in oral cavity
• Necrosis

20
Visible Signs in Dogs

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

21
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?

22
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.

23
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.

24
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

25
Awareness and Tougher Regulations

• 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)

26
Ways 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

27
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

28
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.

29
Works Cited

• Osweiler, G.D., Grauer, G.F., Toxicology Chapter
  7. www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ccah/documents/FelHus20
  Ch7.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

30
Works Cited

• Diseases caused by alcohols, glycols,
• and ketones. www.whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/1
  986/924154211X_(chp21-25).pdf
• Tremayne, Jessica. July 2004. DVM The new
  magazine of Veterinary medicine. Vol. 35. Issue
  7, pg 9.
• www.swiffer.com