Why It’s Better To Stop Using Toilet Paper

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The modern world we live in, just cannot function without toilet paper. This is probably why people hoarded toilet paper rolls to get through during lockdown. The first sales of modern toilet paper occurred around 1890. The first 2-ply, ultra-soft toilet paper hit the shelves in 1942, and by the 1960s, colored paper became widely available. Obviously, toilet paper is a convenient innovation, and you will hardly be startled to see a pyramid of toilet paper rolls kept in any public washroom. But wait till we tell you this, new research sheds light on the harmful effects of toilet paper on your health in the long run. In this article, you’ll learn why replacing toilet paper with other alternatives like bidet is a good idea. Read on!

1. It May Cause Irritation In Your Private Parts

Even though paper towels are a hygienic good, manufacturers refuse to publish all the components citing “rights to trade secrets.” However, the use of the toxic chemical formaldehyde is widespread in the production of toilet paper. In addition to sensitizing the eyes, skin, and throat, formaldehyde can irritate your privates.

2. It May Trigger Allergies

While scented toilet paper may seem like a pleasant addition to your restroom due to its pleasant aroma, its perfumes may trigger allergic reactions in some people. Artificial scents are used to make the paper towels smell like a freshly planted garden, but they can disturb the pH levels of your privates and even induce yeast infections.

3. It May Harm Your Reproductive Health

Although it may seem like a good idea to buy recycled toilet paper, it often contains bisphenol A, a potent endocrine disruptor. The hormone estrogen is essential for reproduction and healthy uterine function, and BPA has a molecular structure with estrogen. BPA causes fertility issues since it acts like estrogen in the body. As a matter of fact, preventing BPA is often one of the very first things doctors tell women who wish to have children.

4. It May Not Be Very Effective

Even though using toilet paper is meant to make you feel cleaner, it may not actually be the best material to scrub your privates. Wiping with tissue paper might be irritating, but it also spreads bacteria and feces to your hands & nails. Keeping clean with a bidet, for instance, may be preferable because it uses only water, which is easier on the skin.

5. Materials Used To Make Toilet Paper

Wood or paper that has been recycled are the two main raw materials used to make toilet paper. Seventy percent of toilet paper is made from soft hardwood (oak or maple) thanks to the paper’s small strands. Long-fiber softwood such as Douglas fir and Southern pine make up around 30% of toilet paper. They also add durability to the paper. The wood is chemically extracted into fibers that may be utilized in manufacturing, and chlorine dioxide is used in the production of virgin paper. The materials are bound together and soaked up by the water. These materials are utilized in the production of recycled toilet paper. The paper’s water resistance is achieved by the use of formaldehyde and its derivatives. However, it may irritate the skin and has even been linked to cancer. Bisphenol A (BPA) may be present in recycled toilet paper. It has a deleterious effect on the hormonal system and has been linked to breast cancer, premature puberty in girls, and infertility. Toilet paper dyes have been linked to cases of contact dermatitis in certain people. Researchers found that certain brands of toilet paper included dangerously high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates, and PAHs. They hypothesize that it contributes to a precarious rise in cancer rates.

6. May Cause UTI Infections

Some women may get urinary tract infections after using scented toilet paper because it irritates their urethra. Sensitivity issues around the anus may be exacerbated by using toilet paper. It is not suggested that those who have trouble with feces, itching, or the intestines use toilet paper. Here, soft water makes a fine substitute.

Instead of using toilet paper, you can try a bidet. Cleaning your skin with soapy water is preferable to paper towels in terms of cleanliness. It also reduces the likelihood of getting hemorrhoids. The pressure around the anus is reduced with moderate to low water streams, which may reduce the likelihood of hemorrhoids and other health problems. The ecosystem also suffers less damage by using water instead. So what are your thoughts on using toilet paper? Let us know in the comments section!

Sources

The Carcinogenic Effects of Formaldehyde Occupational Exposure: A Systematic Review, NCBI
The Effect of Bisphenol A on Puberty: A Critical Review of the Medical Literature, NCBI
Health Effects of Exposure to Indoor Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds in Chinese Building Environment: A Systematic Review, NCBI
Bisphenol-A and Female Infertility: A Possible Role of Gene-Environment Interactions, NCBI

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The following two tabs change content below.Indrani is a writer and artist who likes to add a dash of humor to everything she does. She has two years of experience in writing articles across beauty, health, and lifestyle genres. After graduating in Political Science from Calcutta University, she took a detour into the world of creativity and discovered her knack for social writing, advertising, designing, and…more