The California State Senate voted Thursday to approve Assembly Bill 1901, a landmark measure that will force manufacturers of disposable diapers to disclose every chemical used in their products. Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill into law, which will require full ingredient lists to be posted online by the end of 2028 and printed on diaper packaging by January 2029.
Why the bill matters to families
Parents in California – and across the nation – use disposable diapers up to 8,000 times before a child is potty‑trained. Because a baby’s skin is thin and permeable, experts warn that chemicals in diapers can be absorbed more readily than those in adult products. Actor Hilary Swank, who lobbied for the bill alongside the Environmental Working Group (EWG), said, “I learned I can’t assume a product is safe just because it’s marketed that way.” She added that some diaper ingredients have been linked to hormone disruption, nervous‑system effects, skin reactions, and even certain cancers.
Chemicals under scrutiny
Diapers can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from inks, dyes, adhesives, and chlorine‑bleaching agents. VOCs may cause skin and lung irritation and have been associated with cancer in animal studies. Wetness indicators and wipes may also contain quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), which research suggests could affect inflammation, the immune system, respiratory health, reproductive hormones, and brain development.
Another group of chemicals of concern are phthalates, plasticizers that give diapers flexibility. Studies link phthalates to reproductive issues in boys, lower testosterone levels in adult males, asthma, childhood obesity, and cancer in animal models. A recent study estimated that two common phthalates may have contributed to nearly 2 million premature births and 74 000 newborn deaths worldwide in 2018.
Industry response
The Center for Baby and Adult Hygiene Products (BAHP), which represents diaper manufacturers, issued a statement saying its members remain confident in product safety and are committed to parental trust. BAHP deputy director Giovanna Komst noted, “While we support greater transparency, disclosure requirements should align with established scientific and regulatory practices and promote consistency across states and product categories.”
What parents can do now
Until the law takes effect, the EWG recommends families choose diapers that are undyed, free of wetness indicators, and fragrance‑free. “These extra ingredients are not necessary for a diaper’s function,” said Sydney Swanson, senior science analyst at EWG. Parents can also consult the EWG’s online database, which rates diapers based on ingredient transparency.
Swank, a busy working mother of three‑year‑old twins, relies on third‑party verification sites and online mom groups such as “Obnoxiously Crunchy Mommas” to share safer‑diaper recommendations. She emphasizes a gradual approach: “Focus on the essentials—what’s in your prenatal food, what’s in constant contact with your baby—diapers, wipes, creams. Start small and give yourself grace.”
Broader context
California joins New York, which enacted a similar disclosure law in late 2025, and Illinois, which will require ingredient labeling by January 2027. The state’s action reflects a growing recognition that there is no federal requirement for diaper manufacturers to disclose product contents, leaving consumers to rely on state‑level transparency measures.
In addition to diapers, California recently passed Senate Bill 646, mandating prenatal vitamin manufacturers to publish heavy‑metal testing results online and on packaging by January 2027. Swank, who helped pass that law, said the principle is the same: “If something is going into anyone’s body, especially a pregnant body, people deserve to know exactly what’s in it.”
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
