Extreme Warning!!please Read!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

azkaty · 10-04-2005, 05:18 PM

WARNING!!
For all of you that use the "Swiffer" mop system STOP IMMEDIATELY!! This mop is impregnated with antifreeze and will kill your babies! Dogs and cats will walk across the floors of your home-- they can lick their feet and ingest the antifreeze.. the liver will be irrepairable damaged and you will lose your baby! The mop has a very small warning about using with children or animals around..for the sake of your pets-- get rid of the Swiffer mops!

babi1542 · 10-04-2005, 05:33 PM

Oh my gosh! Thank you for warning us!

SWEETPEA · 10-04-2005, 05:34 PM

wow thanks for the warning

Hamoth · 10-04-2005, 05:39 PM

http://www.aspca.org/site/News2?page...dInterest=TRUE

Bogus. Thats totally false. It's one of those wierd internet hoaxes.

Quote:

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 http://www.apcc.aspca.org/.

azkaty · 10-04-2005, 05:43 PM

I think I would not ant to use any product that has glycol in it..
Why would there be a waning on the lable about it, if there was not some issue?

Hamoth · 10-04-2005, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Propylene glycol n-butyl/propyl ether differs significantly from ethylene glycol

I understand your concern, and applaud your dedication to your pets, but htis is SERIOUSLY bogus and a total non-issue.

Glycol is not a substance. It's a part of a word. I believe it means that it has been chemically bonded with Glycerine. Glycerine can prevent heart attacks. Ethanol is the alcohol in beer. It causes liver damage. Ethanol merged with Glycerine produces ethylene glycol. That will WRECK your liver if you drink a glass of it. IT will have almost no impact in small amount like licking the residue.

Now let's talk about the floor cleaner. Propylene Glycal.

Here's what the govnment has to say about it:

Quote:

Propylene glycol is generally regarded as safe for use in food.

USed in FOOD. However, I would not drink a gallon of it...all cleaning products have warning labels. If you spurn it for having a warning label (keep it away from kids, use htis to clean floors not for a tasty beverage), do you spurn all cleaning products? SOAP is dangerous to eat, but we don't stop cleaning with it...

The aspca would not retract this if it were remotely dangerous to do so.

Here's more info on the difference between the ingredient in anti-freeze and what's in this floor cleaner. I should also add that propylene glycol evaporates rapidly. A dog walking on your floor would not be able to get any on his feet if you had cleaned with it. REGARDLESS, it's still used in food, and totally safe.
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts96.html

Quote:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is "generally recognized as safe" for use in food. It is used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics, or food products. It is a solvent for food colors and flavors.

azkaty · 10-04-2005, 06:10 PM

Of course, I am curious.. are you a chemist or a Doctor?

Gracy · 10-04-2005, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamoth

http://www.aspca.org/site/News2?page...dInterest=TRUE

Bogus. Thats totally false. It's one of those wierd internet hoaxes.

Glad to see you found this article.
Last year 2004 in April, this was going around. At the time I worked for a Vet.
They checked into it, It's bogus.
Don't worry out there.

lilbumbleybees · 10-04-2005, 06:21 PM

So long as you let it completely dry before allowing your babies on the floor, you are OK. Been using it since it came out and never had a problem. It's the same as with any household cleaner. Let it completely dry before letting your babies on the floor. If you really are nervous about it. Use your swiffer, then go over the floor with a mop and plain old waters afterwards and then let that dry as well. Hope this "unfreaks" some people out.

azkaty · 10-04-2005, 06:24 PM

Thank you for your reply,

The reason that I posted my message deals with the fact that I recently received a message from a dear friend in reference to the "swiffer" product, after a liver biopsy on his pet.... and this is not the first instance of this problem that I have been alerted too. It appears that the contents of the "swiffer"product may indeed have attributed to the death of his pet. The "small print" on the label of the product contains a disclaimer stating that the contents of the product ""may be harmful" if ingested by children or animals. A liver biopsy of his pet revealed extremely high levels of a substance contaminating his liver..and the pet was NEVER out of his sight. I feel a personal responsibility to alert owners that the product may indeed be harmful to their pets. It is their decision to research this product.

Mybailey · 10-05-2005, 07:23 AM

I hope this is bogus I just cleaned my floor with swiffer, and as I was doing this Bailey loves to bark at the mop and run all over the floor, as he also does when I use a broom or vacuum.

Hamoth · 10-05-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azkaty

Of course, I am curious.. are you a chemist or a Doctor?

Neither, but I have taken some chemistry classes and that's where I learned about deciphering chemical names. Chemicals are named with a certain system so that upon hearing the name, you know exactly what compounds are involved and how they are joined.

The other reason I felt quite safe to pronounce my judgement on this is that the ASPCA had a page on it, the swiffer folks had a page on it, and I fully understood the materials that were presented. I've been online for a long, long, time and have seen my share of "important warining, please read and forward to everyone you know!" emails. This had the chacteristics of one so I checked it out and found it to be bogus.

Here's more refferences from trusted sources who have checked this out:

http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/HBUrbanMyths.shtml#swiffer <-- read the original 2004 verified HOAX email. It sounds EXACTLY like what is being repeated here.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/librar...fer_wetjet.htm

http://www.bighoaxes.com/hoaxe_4_68.html

Here's a page with lots of other email hoaxes about toxins sorted by true or false...
http://www.snopes.com/toxins/toxins.asp

goldcupmom · 10-06-2005, 12:53 PM

My best friend's SIL in Co. lost her dog after a floor licking episode over a year ago and the vet at the university determined that the swiffer formula had a "significant impact" on the cause of death. They never came right out and said it caused it, but it did contribute.

azkaty · 10-06-2005, 05:41 PM

Sounds like there may be something to this after all?

Hamoth · 10-07-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldcupmom

My best friend's SIL in Co. lost her dog after a floor licking episode over a year ago and the vet at the university determined that the swiffer formula had a "significant impact" on the cause of death. They never came right out and said it caused it, but it did contribute.

Could you provide the name of the vet? So far nobody has been able to turn up a single example of this, so if it's legit the ASPCA should know right away because this anecdote runs contrary to every bit of available information. No vet is on record saying that this product is even remotely dangerous.

If you know where we can find a vet who has found otherwise, then he should be contacted for verification of this. It's entirely possible that your friend may have gotten confused about somethign the vet said, or is filling in details after suffering a tradgedy, getting this email, and then feeling that swiffer was the cause.

Untill that's shown, this remains an anyonymous unsourced opinion to me...It's always somone's friend, no offense...I woudln't contradict you if this weren't a known hoax with veterinary toxicologists agreeing that this product is 100% safe.

10-04-2005, 05:18 PM	#1
azkaty Donating YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 483	Extreme Warning!!please Read!! WARNING!! For all of you that use the "Swiffer" mop system STOP IMMEDIATELY!! This mop is impregnated with antifreeze and will kill your babies! Dogs and cats will walk across the floors of your home-- they can lick their feet and ingest the antifreeze.. the liver will be irrepairable damaged and you will lose your baby! The mop has a very small warning about using with children or animals around..for the sake of your pets-- get rid of the Swiffer mops! __________________ Katy

10-04-2005, 05:33 PM	#2
babi1542 Double Trouble Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 4,658	Oh my gosh! Thank you for warning us! __________________ PEBBLES AND SASHA MY DOGS ARE NOT SPOILED...I'M JUST WELL TRAINED!

10-04-2005, 05:34 PM	#3
SWEETPEA My Little Princess Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SUNNY,FLORIDA Posts: 2,617	wow thanks for the warning __________________ RACHEL & MISTY: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

10-04-2005, 05:43 PM	#5
azkaty Donating YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 483	I think I would not ant to use any product that has glycol in it.. Why would there be a waning on the lable about it, if there was not some issue? __________________ Katy

10-04-2005, 06:10 PM	#7
azkaty Donating YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 483	Of course, I am curious.. are you a chemist or a Doctor? __________________ Katy

10-04-2005, 06:21 PM	#9
lilbumbleybees YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 1,234	So long as you let it completely dry before allowing your babies on the floor, you are OK. Been using it since it came out and never had a problem. It's the same as with any household cleaner. Let it completely dry before letting your babies on the floor. If you really are nervous about it. Use your swiffer, then go over the floor with a mop and plain old waters afterwards and then let that dry as well. Hope this "unfreaks" some people out. __________________ Miss Liz Little Lotte Bouncer Lilli Yodi

10-04-2005, 06:24 PM	#10
azkaty Donating YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 483	Thank you for your reply, The reason that I posted my message deals with the fact that I recently received a message from a dear friend in reference to the "swiffer" product, after a liver biopsy on his pet.... and this is not the first instance of this problem that I have been alerted too. It appears that the contents of the "swiffer"product may indeed have attributed to the death of his pet. The "small print" on the label of the product contains a disclaimer stating that the contents of the product ""may be harmful" if ingested by children or animals. A liver biopsy of his pet revealed extremely high levels of a substance contaminating his liver..and the pet was NEVER out of his sight. I feel a personal responsibility to alert owners that the product may indeed be harmful to their pets. It is their decision to research this product. __________________ Katy

10-05-2005, 07:23 AM	#11
Mybailey Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: new jersey Posts: 23	I hope this is bogus I just cleaned my floor with swiffer, and as I was doing this Bailey loves to bark at the mop and run all over the floor, as he also does when I use a broom or vacuum.

10-06-2005, 12:53 PM	#13
goldcupmom YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 371	My best friend's SIL in Co. lost her dog after a floor licking episode over a year ago and the vet at the university determined that the swiffer formula had a "significant impact" on the cause of death. They never came right out and said it caused it, but it did contribute.

10-06-2005, 05:41 PM	#14
azkaty Donating YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 483	Sounds like there may be something to this after all? __________________ Katy