Indiscriminate Use of Chemical Absorbents (SAP) in Diapers: Can We Rest Assured?

Sports DongA (Column) · 2023.08.22

The column points out that chemical super absorbent polymer (SAP), used without particular restrictions in sanitary pads, baby diapers and fresh-food packaging, remains the subject of ongoing safety debate, yet there is still no clear alternative and no requirement to disclose its full ingredients.

About 3 billion people, around 40% of the world's population, use diapers or sanitary pads, and the ice packs and meat pads used in booming food delivery also rely on SAP, a petrochemical-based microplastic that takes more than 500 years to break down. Studies have also linked it to immune reactions and cytotoxicity.

While the U.S. FDA limits substances of concern in SAP used for food containers and Korea has imposed waste charges on SAP ice packs, no alternative has yet been considered for baby diapers and sanitary pads.

The column concludes that plant-based natural super absorbents being developed by Korean companies can ease microplastic pollution and provide a safer environment for infants, and that public attention and consumer participation will be key to their adoption.

Read the original article (Korean) ›