What Stinks?

1
What Stinks?

• A Cradle to Grave Analysis of the Disposable
  Diaper

By Rene Rodriguez Race, Poverty, the Urban
Environment Professor Raquel R. Pinderhughes San
Francisco State University Spring 2003 Public has
permission to use material herein, but only if
author, course, university, and professor are
credited.
2
Introduction

• This presentation focuses on the disposable
  diaper. It takes you through the cradle to grave
  life cycle of the diaper, paying particular
  attention to the social, environmental, and
  public health aspects associated with the
  diaper. We start by looking at the history of
  the diaper and how it has evolved from its simple
  roots. We then analyze the raw materials used to
  make the disposable diaper, production,
  distribution, consumption, and its waste site,
  all the while focusing on the harmful impacts
  these processes have on the environment and
  surrounding communities.

3
Diaper Evolution
TIME PRODUCT ABSORBENT OUTER COVER
Pre-industrial era Primitive diaper Grass, moss, leaves, linen or cotton Animal skins, swaddling bands (linen or wool)
Late 1800s Early diaper Linen or cotton Knitted wool
1880 Safety pin
1930s-1960s Commercial laundering services
1940s Modern cloth diaper Cotton Rubber pant
1950s Modern cloth diaper Cotton Plastic pant
1961 Disposable diaper Cellulose Plastic
Mid-1980s Disposable diaper Superabsorbent material Plastic
Late 1990s Disposable diaper Superabsorbent material Breathable cover
(www.cp.pdr.net/hostedfiles/docs/papc_diapers_
site/history.htm)
4
Natural Resources

• Oil
• 18 billion disposable diapers used per year in US
  alone
• It takes one cup of crude oil to make the plastic
  in one disposable diaper
• Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyurethane,
  Polyacrylate
• 3.4 billion gallons of oil used annually to
  manufacture them
• 246 lbs of plastic are used to diaper a baby for
  one year
• Wood (cellulose)
• It takes 200-300 kg of pulp to supply a baby for
  one year
• Over 250,000 trees are used annually for diapers
• (Sanders, 2001)

5
Oil
6
Preparing to drill

• The land is cleared, leveled and roads are built
• If no source of water is nearby, a well is
  drilled
• A reserve pit is dug and (should be) lined
• A hole is dug for the oil rig
• More holes are dug for equipment and employee
  access
• Sometimes rigs are built on ships
• (Freudenrich, 1998)

7
Oil Drilling Anatomy
(Fruedenrich,1998)
8
Drilling the Oil

• As crews are drilling, they must cement the hole
  to keep it from caving in.
• Once they have reached a final depth, a
  perforating gun explosively charges holes into
  the casing for which oil can flow.
• A well is made for oil to flow into.
• Acid is pumped down the well and dissolves
  channels in the limestone to lead it into the
  well.
• A fluid containing sand, walnut shells, and
  aluminum is used on sandstone.
• Once the oil is flowing, the rig is removed and
  extraction begins.
• 
  (Freudenrich, 1998)

9
Extraction

• After the rig is removed, a pump is put on the
  head of the well
• The pump is forced up and down and the oil is
  suctioned up from the well.
• A second hole is drilled and steam is injected
  under pressure, which helps to push it up the
  well.
• (Freudenrich, 1998)

10
Impacts on Forest

• Forests are harmed even before oil is drilled
• Roads are constructed into remote areas for
  exploration
• Construction destroys habitats, and roads
  increase traffic in fragile areas (Oxfam, 2001)
• Texaco constructed oil roads in Ecuador that
  opened 2.5 million acres of forest to
  colonization
• Deforestation
• The Amason Basin has the greatest diversity of
  plants in So. America
• Eduadors rainforests are being cut down by oil
  corps at a rate of 340,000 hectares a year
• Animals which indigenous people hunt have
  migrated deeper into the forests (Dabbs, 1996)

11
Pollution of Water

• Drilling produces waste muds and other gross
  stuff that is stored in special pits
• Unlined pits leak wasted into water supplies,
  rivers, and lakes (Oxfam, 2001)
• Oil placed on roads to prevent dust also flows
  into rivers
• Drinking, bathing, and fishing water sources in
  the Amazon have toxin levels much higher than EPA
  standards fish in gulf have high mercury levels
• Oil spills also poison water
• Effects of water contamination
• Increased risks of cancer
• Miscarriage
• Demititis, fungul infections
• Headache and nausea
• Dead fish (Dabbs, 1996)

www.panda.org/about-wwf/what_we_d0/freshwater/prol
ems.cfm
12
Pollution of Air and Soil

• Oil wells burn off natural gas polluting air and
  making constant noise
• Gas flares produce soot which is deposited on
  roofs
• Also reduces crop growth and affects wildlife

• Rain washes soot off of the rooftops
• Chemicals in soot can be detrimental to soils
  fertility
• Oil spills contaminate top soil so that plants
  cant grow
• (Oxfam, 2001)

13
Middle Magdalena

• Life in this region of Columbia
• 40 unemployed double national rate
• 70 live in poverty
• Violence
• 2 major Guerilla groups condemn foreign control
  of oil
• 1000 pipelines blown up since 1986
• In 1998, a village was set on fire, 73 dead
• Pollution
• Great Magdalena River polluted with sewage,
  industrial waste from the oil companies
• (Dunning, Wirpsa, 2001)

14
Ethnocide

• The people of Middle Magdalena are just one
  example of indigenous peoples all around the
  world losing their way of life to the petroleum
  industry
• Forced emigration
• They must move from their rural homes into slums
  due to violence, pollution, and losing land
• Life after leaving
• Children resort to prostitution to support
  families
• Little medical care
• No reproductive services
• Women in labor having complications turned away
  from emergency rooms
• The more wealthy people in the cities mostly have
  no idea of the ethnocide going on around them
• (www.reliefweb.org, 2003)

15
Oil Spills

• Oil spills occur during accidents involving
  tankers, barges, and pipelines usually when the
  oil is being transported to us
  (www.response.restoration.noaa.gov, 2002)
• Causes of spills
• Natural disasters
• Carelessness
• Illegal dumpers
• Equipment breaking
• Pipelines are supposed to be buried to reduce
  risk of breaking and spilling
• But they are often above ground and run though
  villages
• (Dabbs, 1996)

16
Effects of Oil Spills

• Spills can leave soil economically useless
• Oil floats on water spreading out into a thin
  layer
• Oil destroys insulation of fur and water
  repellent in feathers of animals
• Many animals ingest oil when they try to clean
  themselves
• (NOA,2002)

17
Oil Refining

• Oil is a mixture of small and large molecules
• Separating crude oil
• Oil is boiled small molecules separate from
  large
• Large molecules cracked to form smaller ones
• The result is organic chemicals which form
  building blocks of plastic
• Other chemicals such as chlorine and lead are
  added to give strength, stiffness, etc.
• Building blocks are then heated to form long
  chains
• This polymerization turns the raw materials into
  plastic resin
• (Montague,1991)

18
Combustion

• Acid Rain
• Acids form from NO2 and SO2
• They acidify all forms of precipitation
• Lead, copper, and aluminum are leached into
  drinking water
• Combustion causes excess nitrogen and phosphorus
  in lakes and coastal waters
• Seafood becomes contaminated dead zones

• Climate Change
• Burning of fossil fuels and land clearing have
  increased the level of green house gases (CO2)
• Droughts are becoming more severe
• Global weather patterns are changing
• No. latitude pipelines are threatened by
  permafrost melting
• (Epstein, Selver,2002)

19
Workers Conditions

• Injury and chronic disease from exposure to
• Cadmium
• Arsenic
• Cyanide
• Lead
• Leukemia due to exposure to petroleum and
  by-products
• Labor and safety rules are usually inadequate in
  developing or poor communities
• Work related deaths in the oil extraction process
  is higher than all US industry worker deaths
  combined!
• (Epstein,Selver, 2001)

20
Wood
21
Pulpwood Plantations

• Natural forests are cut down in favor of
  plantations
• 1.4 million hectares of forest in Indonesia have
  been cut down and replaced by plantations
• Plantation proponents believe that by using
  plantations, we wont need to log natural forests
• But natural forests are used either way
• Indigenous communities are displaced

• No comparison between forests and plantations
• A monocrop plantation cant compare with the
  diversity (and beauty) that a natural forest has
• Plantations are treated with insecticides,
  herbicides, and fungicides
• Frequent harvests can leave land inviable
• (Brown, Flavin,2001)

22
Tree Farm
23
Pulp wood

• Diapers contain cellulose, Kraft wood pulp
• Kraft pulping
• Bark stripped from trees and chipped
• Wood chips are boiled with caustic soda
• Pulp becomes dark brown and very strong
• (Kroesa, 1990)
• Bleaching
• Usually elemental chlorine is used
• Some companies such as Procter Gamble, and
  Kimberly-Clark have switched to other types of
  chlorine which reduce discharges by 90
• However, these levels are still toxic, but too
  low to detect
• (Brown,Flavin,2000)

24
Pulp Wood Factory
www.wawickint.com/html/pulp
25
Harmful Effects of Pulping and Bleaching

• Pulp and paper industry uses more water to make
  one ton of product than any other US industry
• Also has highest intensity levels of emission
• Produces stinky air and sickening water
• Unidentified compounds are produced
• In some Asian nations, there are thousands of
  mills that have no treatment systems so untreated
  black pulping liquor is released into waterways
• Some aquatic life dies right away, while others
  suffer long term and make their way up the food
  chain
• Bleaching also releases dioxins into the air
• (Brown,
  Flavin, 2000)

26
Health Effects of manufacturingPlastic and Paper

• Legionaires Diease
• Type of pnemonia
• Can be deadly
• Caused by using injection molding equipment
• (www.osha.gov,1984)
• Irritating materials and fumes
• Runny nose and eyes
• Sore throat, cough, asthma (www.hse.gov.uk/pubs/in
  dg195.htm)
• Polyacrylate
• Female organ problems, slow wound healing, and
  weight loss to employees
• (Sanders, 2001)

• Water
• Bad taste
• Employees in Buckeye Mill (later) told to add
  powdered mix for flavor
• (Swasy,1993)
• Smell

27
Pulp and Paper Mill Odors

• Kraft Pulping
• Process produces gaseous sulfur compounds
• Sulfides, ammonia, other organic compounds
• Smellrotten eggs
• EPA says odors are annoying but not a health
  concern
• Odors vary depending on processing techniques,
  wind direction, temperature
• Health Issues
• When weather causes chemicals to become
  concentrated
• Eye and breathing irritations
• Headache and nausea
• People with asthma may have asthma attacks
• (EPA says these are not health concerns???)
• (www.dhfs.state.wi.us/eh/HlthHaz/fs/PulpOdors.htm,
  2000)

28
Dioxins

• Dioxins
• What are they?
• Dioxin is a general term for hundreds of
  chemicals formed by burning chlorine based
  compounds with hydrocarbons (www.ejnet.org/dioxin
  , 2002)
• What do they do?
• They get into the air, then soil and water, and
  then our food chain
• They attach and accumulate in our fat cells
• Dioxin is passed onto our children
• Through placenta, and breastfeeding
• We have no defense because it is not metabolized
  in our bodies
• It can cause serious health problems at parts per
  trillion (www.acereport.org,2003)

29
(www.ejnet.org/dioxin,2002)
30
Harmful Effects of Dioxin

• Causes cancer
• Disrupts hormones
• May shrink penis size and sperm count
• Miscarriage, reproductive disorders, birth
  defects, low birth weight
• Learning disabilities
• Short term memory and attention span
• Damage to nervous and immune systems
• (www.acereport.org,2003)

31
The Buckeye Mill

• A Procter Gamble pulp mill in Perry, FL near
  the Fenholloway River
• Effects on River
• PG purchased land in 1954, drained areas of
  river to plant trees
• Began discharging 50 million gallons of discharge
  per day
• In 1990, dioxin levels were 1900x the acceptable
  risk
• Remains worst river in country
• Wells and backyards contaminated
• Shower water leaves film on skin
• Female fish have developed male characteristics
  because the pollution causes hormone changes
• (Swasy, 1993)

32
The People of Perry

• PG shapes all aspects of life there
• Segregation still exists locals refer to
  African-Americans as niggers
• Those who grew up drinking the water and eating
  food nourished by water now suffer from
• Arthritis, short term memory loss, lung problems
• Free bottled water is now provided by PG
• They depend on the PG facility
• PG provides many jobs many would go bankrupt
  without it
• Company gets preferential treatment from local
  politicians and law enforcement
• People wont challenge the company
• In 1990s, a few women who began exposing and
  challenging their practices were harassed one
  even beaten and raped
• (Swasy, 1993)

33
(No Transcript)
34
Production of the Diaper
35
Manufacturing Process

• A sheet of pulp is converted into fibers
• The fibers are mixed with a super absorbent
• A pad is formed, compressed and cut into
  individual pieces
• Poly material is added at the bottom and nonwoven
  at the top
• Hot melt is used to glue it all together
• Elastomers are added for stretch in the waist and
  leg cuffs
• Tapes are added and can be adhesive or mechanical
  (Velcro)
• Individual diaper pieces are cut, inspected and
  stacked for sealing and boxing
• (www.giga.com/cricher/carlos.html)

36
Diaper Making Machine
(www.giga.com/cricher/carlos.html)
37
The Finished Product
38
(Krafchik,2000)
39
Components of The Diaper

• Polyethylene the outside,breathable, leakproof
• Polypropylene against babys skin, keeps skin
  dry
• Polyurethane elastic on cuffs

• Polyacrylate Super Absorbent Polymers, absorb
  30x their weight
• Cellulose draws liquid into the center
• Glue holds diaper together, made of resin and
  oil
• (Krafchik, 2000)

40
Kimberly-Clark

• Tests on Animals
• Low score, 57, on Human Rights Campaign 2002
• Rates policies on gay and transsexual employers,
  consumers, and investors
• One of the companies responsible for hazardous
  waste at Chemsol federal superfund site in New
  Jersey
• (www.responsibleshopper.org)
• Picture (www.thenewparentguide.com/shopping-disp
  osable-diapers.htm)

41
Proctor Gamble

• Tests on Animals
• Paid scientists to testify at FDA hearing on the
  fat substitute Olestra
• Supports pollution secrecy legislation
• Would provide immunity from environmental crimes
  if they are self reported
• One of the companies that sued Massachusetts for
  preventing companies from doing business in Burma
• (www.responsibleshopper.org)
• Picture (www.pg.com.hr/press/pictures/index
  .html)

42
Advertising

• Commercials
• Show features such as stretchy waistbands, more
  comfort, cartoon characters
• Coupons
• Sent by mail, in magazines
• Free samples
• By mail
• In Hospitals
• Given to 4 million newborns a year (Swasy, 1993)

43
Diesel Exhaust

• Most diapers are distributed to our retail stores
  by diesel trucks
• Walmart is connected to PG by computer so
  diapers are replenished almost instantaneously
  (Swasy,1993)
• What is diesel?
• Diesel fuel is burned in the engine and soot and
  gases are released into the air
• Soot consists of tiny particles that are inhaled
  into our lungs
• Particles have cancer causing chemicals called
  Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• Gases in diesel exhaust
• Nitrous oxide, formaldehyde, sulfer dioxide,
  carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, benzene
• (www.asfscme.com)

44
Harmful Effects of Diesel

• The average infant in SF reaches the EPAs
  acceptable lifetime limit for exposure to
  carcinogens by 19 days of life
• People who live closer to areas of high truck
  traffic get higher doses
• (www.greenaction.org)

• Accounts for 71 of cancer risk from toxic air
  contaminants
• The particles inhaled stay in your lungs for a
  long time which can lead to corroding cells and
  tumor growth

45
Health Effects of Diesel on Workers

• Those most likely to be exposed to diesel exhaust
• Bridge, tunnel, loading dock workers
• Auto mechanics
• Truck drivers
• Short term effects
• Irritation of eyes, nose, throat
• Lightheadedness, feeling high
• Heartburn
• Headache,vomiting
• Chest tightness, wheezing
• Long term effects
• Has been linked to lung cancer
• Workers more likely to have chronic respiratory
  problems, reduced lung capacity, bronchitis
• (www.afscme.org)

46
Harmful Effects of Wearing Diapers

• Diaper Rash
• Caused by allergies to chemicals, temperatures
  from wearing plastic, and less diaper changes
  because diaper is so absorbent it feels dry
• Natural moisture along with urine is absorbed
• Infertility in Males
• Testicles may become hot from wearing diapers and
  may not develop normally (Sanders, 2001)
• Toxic Shock Syndrome
• In 1986, a 13 month old Missouri boy and NY girl
  both died allegedly from wearing Pampers diapers
• (Swasy, 1993) Picture(www.askdrsears.com)

47
Toxic Shock Syndrome

• TSS became famous in the early 80s when at least
  42 women died from wearing PGs Rely tampon
  (pulled from market)
• Symptoms
• The tampons created a haven for bacteria which
  produced deadly toxins
• High fever, sunburn like rash, vomiting
• Victims skin peels off hands and feet
• Lungs fill with fluid until suffocation, heart
  stops beating
• Pampers Ultra Diaper introduced in 1986
• Immediately there were complaints of rashes, and
  beads (Super absorbent polymers turn into beads
  when wet)
• Testing showed that carboxylmethyl cellulose that
  was used in the Rely tampons was in the diapers
• PG reformulated but there were still cases up to
  1993 and 2 deaths
• SAPs currently in diapers were also in the Rely
  tampons
• (Swasy,1993)

48
The Grave
49
Landfills

• How much?
• Diaper is the third largest consumer item in
  landfills
• It equals 30 non-biodradable waste in landfills
• 2 total municipal solid waste
• Each baby contributes 1 ton of garbage
• (Sanders, 2001)

50
Decomposition

• Some are up to 85 biodegradable
• However, most are rolled into tight little balls
  and put in sealed landfills
• Without air and water, it take about 500 years
  for the diaper to decompose
• Can we compost them?
• Plastic is non compostable
• US has only 20 facilities that could do this
  composting
• Many more would have to be builtNIMBY
• (Sanders, 2001)

www.redamedia.com/bubbles/diaper.htm
51
Health Hazards

• Human waste
• The American Public Health Association advise
  that fecal matter should not be put in with the
  regular trash because it contaminates ground
  water and spreads disease
• Parents should rinse out fecal matter in the
  toilet before throwing diaper away (doesnt
  happen)
• Five million tons of untreated human waste in
  landfills
• There are approximately 100 intestinal viruses
  living on the feces
• They could be carried by insects right back to us
• (Sanders,2001)

52
Exposure

• Impacts on Neighborhoods
• Water contamination due to dumping or leaking
  liners
• Disposal sites and waste treatment facilities can
  cause air pollution and landfills are a breeding
  ground for insects and rodents who spread disease
• Preschool children and workers are most impacted
• Direct dumping of untreated waste in water bodies
  can make its way up the food chain
• Exposure to certain untreated chemicals can cause
  disease and/or death
• (www.edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/solwaste/health
  .htm)

53

• Occupational hazards associated with waste
  handling
• Infections
• Skin and blood infections resulting from direct
  contact with waste, and from infected wounds.
  Eye and respiratory infections resulting from
  exposure to infected dust, especially during
  landfill operations. Different diseases that
  results from the bites of animals feeding on the
  waste. Intestinal infections that are
  transmitted by flies feeding on the waste.
• Chronic Diseases Incineration operators are at
  risk of chronic respiratory diseases, including
  cancers resulting from exposure to dust and
  hazardous compounds.
• Accidents Bone and muscle disorders resulting
  from the handling of heavy containers.
  Infecting wounds resulting from contact with
  sharp objects. Poisoning and chemical burns
  resulting from contact with small amounts of
  hazardous chemical waste mixed with general
  waste. Burns and other injuries resulting from
  occupational accidents at waste disposal sites or
  from methane gas explosion at landfill sites.
• Source - Adapted from UNEP report,
  1996(www.edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/solwaste.hea
  lth.htm)

54
The Bottom Line

• The disposable diaper doesnt just originate at
  the store and then end up in the garbage. By
  examining the cradle to grave cycle, we see that
  the disposable diaper is harmful at every stage
  in its life with disproportionate impacts to
  those not able to do anything about it. By using
  the main components of the diaper, oil and wood,
  we cause irrevocable damage and the
  anthropomorphic and environmental costs are
  priceless. Most people who use these disposable
  diapers are impacted in the smallest ways, with a
  minor diaper rash being the only clue that
  diapers are not healthy. The other impacts were
  mostly invisible to us-until now. The most
  important point about the grave of the diaper is
  simply that it has one. Something that is
  completely non-reusable is a waste of its entire
  life cycle. All that harm for what? A product
  that is used for a few hours and then unsafely
  thrown out as a ball of plastic and feces to sit
  for 500 years.

55
References

• Brown, Lester R., Flavin, Christopher. State of
  the World 2000. WW Norton and Company
• Dabbs, Corbett J., Oil Production and
  Environmental Damage, December 1996,
  ltwww.american.edu/projects/mandala/TED/projects/te
  dcross/xoilpr15.htmgt April 15,2003
• Dunning, Thad. Wirpsa, Leslie. Oil Rigged.
  February 2001 Resource Center of the Americas.
  February 20, 2003 ltwww.americas.org/News/Features/
  2001 02_Colombia_Oil/20010201_Oil_rigged_in_columb
  ia.aspgt
• Epstein, R. Paul Selber, Jesse, Oil A Life
  Cycle Analysis of its Health and Environmental
  Impacts, The Center for Health and the Global
  Environment, 2002 ltwww.med.harvard.edu/chge/oil.ht
  mlgt May 6, 2003
• Fruedenrich, Craig C. Phd, How Oil Drilling
  Works, How Stuff Works, 1998, ltwww.howstuffworks.c
  om/oil-drilling2.htmgt May 6, 2003
• Krafchik, Bernice, Disposable Diapers Layer by
  Layer, 2000, ltwww.cp.pdr.net/hostedfiles/docs/papc
  _diapers_site/layer.htmgt February 12, 2003
• Kroesa, Renate. Greenpeace Guide to Paper.
  Vancouver, BC Greenpeace International, 1990
• Oxfam, Environmental and Health Effects of Mining
  and Oil Extraction, May 24, 2001ltwww.oxfamerica.or
  g/advocacy/art407.htmlgt April 15, 2003

56

• Sanders, Heather L., The Diaper Drama An Online
  Drama of Disposable versus Cloth Diapers. 2001.
  Punkin-Butt. February 10, 2003 ltwww.punkinbutt.com
  gt
• Swasy, Alecia, Soap OperaThe Inside Story of
  Procter Gamble. New YorkRandom House Inc, 1993
• ltwww.acereport.org/emissions.htmlgt Dioxin
  Exposure, ACE 2003
• ltwww.afscme.org/health/faq-dies.htmgt, Diesel
  Exhaust, American Federation of Employees, April
  15, 2003
• ltwww.dhfs.state.wi.us/eh/HlthHaz/fs/PulpOdors.htmgt
  Human Health Hazards-Pulp and Paper
  IndustryOdors, 2000 (May 22, 2003)
• ltwww.edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/solwaste.health.
  htmgt, Health Impacts of Solid Waste, May 1, 2003
• ltwww.egnet.org/dioxingt Dioxin Homepage. Action
  Center 2002 (May 10, 2003)
• ltwww.greenaction.org/stopdiesel/factsheet.shtmlgt
  Action Alert Diesel Fact Sheet. Green Action.
  February 21, 2003

57

• ltwww.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg195.htmgt Health and
  Safety Executive, 1998
• ltwww.giga.com/cricher/carlos.htmlgt Manufacturing
  Process of a Disposable Diaper. May 18, 2003
• ltwww.osha.govgt Osha Hazard Information Bulletion,
  1998 (May 16, 2003)
• ltwww.reliefweb.comgt May 15, 2002, UN High
  Commission for Refugees. May 15, 2002
• ltwww.response.restoration.noaa.gov/kids/spills.htm
  lgt Whats the Story on Oil Spills?, Office of
  Response and Restoration, 2002, April 15, 2001