Stuff Happens: Cloth Diapering 101 (And A Few 102s)

 http://www.earth911.com/living-well-being/stuff-happens-cloth-diapering-101-and-a-few-102s/
In recent years there have been debates abut whether cloth diapering is truly better for the environment, especially when you take into account the amount of hot water, electricity and detergent that goes into their care. This environmentalist still stands firmly for cloth however, and here's why.

According to Green America, one of the greatest concerns surrounding disposable diapers is in regards to their creation, not their disposal. Have you ever noticed the oddly gel-like feeling of a full disposable diaper? What you're feeling is sodium polyacrylate crystals. Sodium polyacrylate is capable of holding up to 300 times its weight in water, which seems like it would be a good thing except for the fact that absolutely no studies have been conducted to establish whether sodium polyacrylate is dangerous to children when absorbed through the skin. Given that it is also used in tampon manufacturing and some believe it is a factor in Toxic Shock Syndrome, it is a definite cause for concern.
Even worse is dioxin. Green America characterizes dioxin as “a highly toxic carcinogen and endocrine disruptor, [found] in disposable diapers. Dioxin is a byproduct of the chlorine bleaching process, and the Archives of Disease in Childhood reports that trace amounts of dioxin are present on disposables.”
And as a final one-two punch, one study found that lab mice exposed to various brands of disposable diapers experienced asthma-like symptoms, as well as eye, nose, and throat irritation. Cloth diapers did not cause any respiratory symptoms.
So, hey, maybe washing poop isn't so bad after all!