How to choose adult diapers? This one is all you need!

When it comes to diapers, many people will immediately think of children. However, diapers are not exclusive products for infants and toddlers. By the end of 2022, the elderly population in China had grown to 280 million, accounting for 19.8% of the country's total population. Among them, there were a considerable number of elderly people with mobility issues and disabilities. Adult diapers and care pads have become essential daily necessities for this special group and incontinence elderly people. However, the endless stream of brands and the dazzling array of adult diapers on the market often leave consumers who are not familiar with such products at a loss as to where to start.

(Common adult diapers, nursing pads, etc.

Recently, the Shaanxi Provincial Market Supervision and Administration Bureau entrusted the Shaanxi Provincial Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Research Institute to conduct a random inspection of adult diapers sold online. Staff members purchased 32 batches of adult diapers from five online platforms, namely Taobao, JD.com, Douyin, Meituan and Alibaba, posing as ordinary consumers. The results showed that One batch of samples was found to have excessive levels of migratory fluorescent substances.

(The sample containing fluorescent brightener under ultraviolet lamp is shown at the lower left.)

What are the differences between migratory fluorescent substances and the fluorescent brighteners we are familiar with?

Fluorescent brighteners are a type of fluorescent dye that emit blue-purple fluorescence under ultraviolet light. They are mainly added to laundry detergents, paper products and textiles to achieve a whiter visual effect. Migratory fluorescent substances can be transferred from objects to the human body through contact and may pose a threat to health. To ensure consumer safety, national standards stipulate that adult diapers should not contain migratory fluorescent substances.

Can migratory fluorescent substances be detected at home by oneself?

Some people will purchase fluorescent detection pens or ultraviolet lamps to test fluorescent brighteners. This method has some effect but is not accurate. Natural fluorescent substances are widely present in nature. For instance, certain fruits, cottonseeds and nails will exhibit weak fluorescence under ultraviolet light. These natural fluorescent substances are safe and harmless. So even if fluorescence is detected with a detection pen, it is impossible to determine whether these fluorescent substances will transfer to the human body during use.

(Fluorescence phenomenon under the irradiation of a fluorescent detection pen)

Apart from migratory fluorescent substances, the permeability, formaldehyde content, pH and other factors of adult diapers are all key indicators that determine the quality of a diaper.

Indicator One: Penetration performance

According to the random inspection results of recent years, the overall pass rate of the penetration performance of adult diapers on the current market is relatively high. Among them, the main non-conforming item is the amount of seepage in the permeability performance. The seepage volume refers to the amount of liquid that a diaper absorbs and then returns to the surface layer of the diaper under a certain pressure. If the amount of seepage is too high, it indicates that this diaper cannot absorb and fix the liquid well. It is easy for the internal environment of the diaper to become damp, causing the user to feel stuffy and uncomfortable. The urine that seeps out repeatedly comes into contact with the skin and may also cause inflammation, affecting health.

(Penetration performance test of diapers

Indicator Two: pH value

The sebum film on the surface of the human skin is weakly acidic, with a pH value approximately ranging from 5.5 to 6.5. Diaper products with a pH value close to that of the skin are relatively more skin-friendly and comfortable. According to the national standard GB/T 28004.2-2021, the pH of adult diapers, disposable diapers and nursing pads should be between 4.0 and 8.0. Both excessively high and low pH levels can irritate the skin and disrupt the acid-base balance of the human skin. Long-term use of diapers with an unqualified pH value may damage the sebum film on the skin surface, leading to symptoms such as skin redness and allergies. There is even a risk of bacterial invasion and skin infection.

(Determination of pH

(pH test paper

Indicator Three: Formaldehyde content

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent smell, which poses significant harm to both the nervous and respiratory systems of the human body. In 2017, it was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization. The raw materials of diapers generally do not contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is very likely to come from the residues of adhesives, printing inks and solvents added during the production process. Most users of adult diapers are the elderly and patients. These people generally have low immunity and resistance. If they use diaper products with excessive formaldehyde content for a long time, it may cause symptoms such as headache, dizziness, sore throat and eye discomfort at the least, and at the worst, it may cause skin allergies and even induce serious diseases such as leukemia and throat cancer.

(Determination of formaldehyde content by liquid chromatography

Purchase Guide

How can one distinguish the quality of adult diapers and choose a suitable one? When making a purchase, one should pay attention to "look, touch, smell, test and ask".

Take a look: Is the marked information complete?

The packaging of adult diapers should indicate information such as the product name, product standard number, hygiene standard number implemented, production license number, name and address of the manufacturing enterprise, main raw materials, product specifications, product grade, production date and validity period. When purchasing, it is also necessary to pay attention to checking the outer packaging of the goods to ensure there is no damage or contamination.

Second touch: Is the comfort level high?

The surface of the diaper should be clean and free of impurities. It should feel soft and comfortable when touched by hand, without hard lumps, powder shedding or pilling. High-quality skin-friendly surface materials can reduce friction on the wearer's skin.

Third smell: Is there a pungent odor?

Diapers use a lot of raw materials and auxiliary materials during the processing, such as pulp, elastic thread, adhesive, printing ink, etc. If a diaper has a pungent smell, it may be made of inferior materials. Try not to purchase and use it. Choose products with no odor and less printing.

Four Test: Is the absorbency good?

You can directly pour a certain amount of water onto the diaper to observe its water absorption and the speed at which it absorbs water. Place a dry paper towel on it and gently press it. If the paper towel is not wet, it indicates that the diaper has good water absorption.

Question 5: Is the fit good?

Stretch the waist of the diaper with your hand. Diapers with good extensibility and strong elasticity are more comfortable to wear. Choose the appropriate model based on actual needs. If it is too large, it may cause side or back leakage; if it is too small, there will be marks and it is prone to backflow.

In addition, when making a purchase, try to choose products with guaranteed brand quality and buy from regular channels.

Warm reminder

When using adult diapers, it is necessary to fully consider the user's living habits. Choose suitable products based on daily routines, the amount and shape of urine and feces, frequently maintained movements, sleeping postures, etc. If necessary, diapers or diapers can be used in combination with nursing pads. When using diapers, it is necessary to change them in time. When changing, wipe them clean to keep the skin clean and dry, and prevent pressure sores and urinary tract infections.