The California State Senate voted Thursday to advance Assembly Bill 1901, a landmark measure that will force manufacturers of disposable diapers to disclose every chemical used in their products. Once Governor Gavin Newsom signs the bill, manufacturers must post a complete ingredient list and the reason each component is needed on a public website by the end of 2028, with the information also required on diaper packaging by January 2029.

Why the legislation matters for families

Parents and caregivers change diapers up to 8,000 times before a child is potty‑trained, meaning infants are in constant contact with the materials that line the product. Because a baby’s skin is thinner and more permeable than an adult’s, chemicals can be absorbed more readily, raising concerns about hormone disruption, skin irritation, and long‑term health effects.

Actor Hilary Swank, who lobbied for the bill alongside the Environmental Working Group (EWG), explained that she learned she could not assume a product was safe simply because it was marketed that way. “Some ingredients found in diapers have been linked to hormone disruption, nervous system effects and skin reactions,” Swank told CNN.

Potentially harmful chemicals under scrutiny

Experts point to several classes of chemicals that may be present in disposable diapers:

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – emitted from inks, dyes, adhesives, and chlorine‑bleaching agents; they can irritate skin and lungs and have been linked to cancer in animal studies.
• Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) – used in wetness indicators and wipes; laboratory studies suggest they may affect inflammation, the immune system, respiratory health, reproductive hormones, and brain development.
• Phthalates – plasticizers that give diapers flexibility; research associates them with reproductive problems in boys, lower testosterone in adult males, asthma, childhood obesity, and certain cancers.

A March study estimated that two common phthalates, DEHP and DiNP, could 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 affirming confidence in product safety while urging that any disclosure requirements align with established scientific and regulatory practices. Deputy Director Giovanna Komst said, “Transparency works best when it is grounded in established scientific and regulatory practices and provides information that is meaningful and useful to consumers.”

EWG’s California legislative director Susan Little welcomed the bill, noting that clearer labeling will give parents the guidance they need to make safer choices.

Practical steps for parents

While the law moves forward, EWG recommends families take immediate steps to reduce exposure:

• Avoid diapers with colorful patterns or wetness indicators, as dyes and inks can contain heavy metals.
• Choose plain, undyed diapers without added fragrance.
• Seek brands that already publish ingredient lists or have third‑party verification.

Swank, a busy working mother of three‑year‑old twins, relies on EWG’s database and online parenting groups to identify safer options. She stresses that parents need not overhaul every product at once; focusing on items that have constant skin contact—diapers, wipes, creams—is a practical starting point.

Broader context

California joins New York, which enacted a similar disclosure law in late 2025, and Illinois, which requires ingredient labeling on diaper packages by January 2027. The state’s proactive stance reflects a growing national conversation about consumer‑product transparency and the protection of vulnerable populations.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.