Thanks to Auntie Joan for Forwarding this example of a scary urban legend.
Before reading and getting all worked up - relax - this is FALSE. What we should get worked up about is people spreading these rumors and slandering a company by spreading false claims.
Here's the email:
"I recently had a neighbor who had to have their 5-year old German
Shepherd dog put down due to liver failure. The dog was completely
healthy until a few weeks ago, so they had a necropsy done to see what
the cause was. The liver levels were unbelievable, as if the dog had
ingested poison of some kind. The dog is kept inside, and when he's
outside, someone's with him, so the idea of him getting into something
unknown was hard to believe. My neighbor started going through all the
items in the house. When he got to the Swiffer Wetjet, he noticed, in
very tiny print, a warning which stated "may be harmful to small
children and animals." He called the company to ask what the contents
of the cleaning agent are and was astounded to find out that antifreeze
is one of the ingredients. (actually he was told it's a compound which
is one molecule away from anitfreeze).
Therefore, just by the
dog walking on the floor cleaned with the solution, then licking it's
own paws, and the dog eating from its dishes which were kept on the
kitchen floor cleaned with this product, it ingested enough of the
solution to destroy its liver.
Soon after his dog's death, his
housekeepers' two cats also died of liver failure. They both used the
Swiffer Wetjet for quick cleanups on their floors. Necropsies weren't
done on the cats, so they couldn't file a lawsuit, but he asked that we
spread the word to as many people as possible so they don't lose their
animals."
Now The truth about the danger to pets and children from Swiffer
The ingredients in the swiffer cleaning fluid are Water (about 80%) Propylene glycol n-propyl ether and propylene glycol n-butyl
ether (in small percentages).
Antifreeze is made of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is the common ingredient and this is what the FDA has to say about it:
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.
Propylene glycol is also used to create
artificial smoke or fog used in fire-fighting training and
in theatrical productions.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has classified propylene glycol as "generally recognized as
safe," which means that it is acceptable for use in flavorings,
drugs, and cosmetics, and as a direct food additive.
Finally, Proctor & Gamble have their own rebuttal to this malicious letter:
...."We have pets too, and their health and well-being is very important to
us. Please help us put animal lovers' minds at ease and stop this rumor
by sharing the truth with others."
(read entire letter here)
The ASPCA's Response to the false Swiffer claims...
..."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."...
Read the ASPCA's entire response to this rumour