Can simple toilet paper be harmful?

Toilet paper has long and thoroughly entered into everyday life. This hygiene item is in every home, and few modern consumers think about safety. However, recently there has been a growing belief that some types of paper can lead to serious health problems. Later in the article we will look in more detail at whether this is actually true.

When was toilet paper invented?

The history of the appearance of the hygiene item goes back to the second century AD. They began to make it in the Middle Kingdom from raw silk. In Ancient Rus' they used plant leaves, and in the tropics - mussel shells. Each region adapted in its own way. For example, in India they still do not use paper, preferring a ladle of water and the left-hand rule. Therefore, tourists are warned about the need to pay attention to what hand the Indian is giving.

Paper was first introduced to the market in the United States in the mid-19th century. The packaging was in the form of squares. It appeared in roll form in 1890.

In the Soviet Union, toilet paper began to be produced only in 1969 in Leningrad. Before this, ordinary newspapers were used, and the USSR was considered the most read state in the world.

Initially, it was difficult for people to explain what it was for. Advertising before films and free distribution of the product in factories were used. But in 1977, there was a real shortage of toilet paper, and people stood in long lines.They gave out 10 rolls per hand, and the lucky ones wore them as garlands around their necks.

Important! There are reliable facts that in Ancient Greece they used pieces of ceramics for wiping. According to the rule, you could take no more than three.

Kinds

Stores offer a wide range of hygiene products and there has been no shortage for a long time. She may be:

• single-layer and multi-layer;
• with aromatic additives;
• snow-white or painted in different colors;
• with prints and funny inscriptions;
• with flushable sleeve;
• dry and wet.

Attention! Conservationists are sounding the alarm over the deforestation required to make toilet paper.

Health effects

Some doctors believe that the use of paper leads to the transfer of microbes and provokes hemorrhoids, fissures, and urinary tract infections. And the composition may contain synthetic additives that can cause allergies. This kind of myth is another marketing ploy that benefits distributors of expensive bidets.

Manufacturers claim that a product developed even from second-class raw materials is not capable of causing harm to health.

The following facts can be cited in defense:

• Raw materials entering pulp mills are carefully checked and processed. Therefore, paper cannot contain harmful microorganisms.
• During the production process, modern methods of recycling waste paper are used, with the help of which the output is an absolutely harmless product.
• All harmful impurities are removed from the raw materials, and the remainder in minimal quantities is not harmful to humans.

Alternative options

In some countries (Japan, Italy, Greece), the generally accepted norm is the use of a bidet. This method is considered the most preferable.Bidets are placed both at home and in public places.

Wet wipes will also come to the rescue and provide gentle and high-quality cleansing. Many celebrities, including the famous hip-hop artist Will.i.am, also spoke out in support of wet toilet paper.

It is worth noting that modern technologies do not stand still, and manufacturers are introducing new developments. A product made from primary raw materials and mixtures is preferable from a hygiene point of view, while a product made from waste paper is much cheaper, but is more rigid and unattractive in appearance. Cellulose products are particularly soft, absorb moisture well and quickly dissolve in water. Each buyer will be able to choose the appropriate type of toilet paper.