Swiffer WetJet Deaths Shown to Be False!

Email rumours of Swiffer products killing pets and being harmful to young children are one again making their way through internet communities. These same rumours, in almost identically worded emails, were circulated by emails in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

"I recently had a neighbor who had to have their 5-year old German Shepherd dog put down due to liver failure....Swiffer WetJet....antifreeze is one of the ingredients. "

According to a release from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, they claim the emails contain false information and that their veterinary toxicologists regard the allegations of liver failure and death from household cleaner as unfounded and see no link to Swiffer and the death of a dog!

The Swiffer Wetjet product does not contain anti-freeze or any similar substance that could cause liver failure in animals, nor are there any credible reports of pets being put down as a result of licking residue from the product.

A safety warning in the Swiffer Wetjet users guide does advise users to keep the product out of reach of children and pets. These warnings are included on many cleaning products and do not imply that animals, or children, could be harmed by licking residue left after use.

Like similar email "warnings", it lacks credibility in that it doesn't contain names, places, or any way of verifying the claims. If there were deaths directly related to the Swiffer product, one has to believe that there would be legitimate news articles and that the health authorities would be conducting a thorough investigation into the deaths, or illnesses. So

More information on the product and emails can be found on the websites of Swiffer WetJet and the ASPCA.