"Don't wipe it with a wet wipe and eat right away" ... Why a chemistry professor is warning against it

[Financial News]  An expert has warned that improper use of wet wipes, now a household essential, could lead to the ingestion of unwanted chemical substances.
Recently, a video titled "What are the dangers of wet wipes, according to a chemist?" was posted on the YouTube channel run by Sangwook Kang, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Energy Engineering at Sangmyung University.
Kang explained, "Wet wipes are not products that contain only pure water." He added, "In addition to purified water, they contain substances that help remove dirt, improve preservation, and keep the ingredients well mixed. Depending on the product, they may contain 20 to 30 different ingredients."
He stressed, however, that there is no need to be overly worried about wet wipes themselves.
He said, "Since the humidifier disinfectant scandal, regulations have been tightened, and now only government-approved ingredients can be used." He added, "There is no need to worry too much that using wet wipes will cause ingredients to be absorbed through the skin and trigger cancer or affect the endocrine system."
Instead, he pointed to the "residual ingredients" left on surfaces after use as the real concern.
Kang explained, "If you wipe a dining table with a wet wipe, the water evaporates, but some ingredients can remain on the surface." He added, "If you then place utensils on it, those residual substances can transfer to the utensils."
He also noted, "If you wipe a child's hands with a wet wipe and then immediately let them pick up snacks or food, there is a chance that the substances left on their hands could enter the mouth."
He further said, "The ingredients in wet wipes are not substances made for eating." He added, "If they were safe to ingest, they would have been approved as food additives."
He also introduced ways to reduce exposure to residual substances.
After wiping a dining table with a wet wipe, it is best to wipe it once more with a dry tissue to remove any remaining substances. Hands should also be washed with soap and water whenever possible. If a wet wipe must be used, he advised wiping the hands again with a dry tissue before eating, rather than touching food while the hands are still wet.
Kang said, "Wet wipes are basically products that are managed safely." He added, "But it is important to remember that they contain various ingredients other than water, and that there is a possibility of unknowingly ingesting them, so they should be used properly."
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yunkyung Reporter