Water Sector News
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Don't flush those wipes: Mass. lawmakers seek new labeling for personal use toilet products
Correction: The legislation would cover wipes that are entirely of or partly made from petrochemical-derived fibers, and not specifically wipes that are currently marketed as "flushable," as an earlier version of this story reported.
It turns out many frequently used wipes, regardless of their intended use, are not so flushable. And members of the state Legislature want to clarify their labeling.
Issues with wipes that started pre-pandemic were exacerbated by COVID-19, the lack of toilet paper and the rush to wipe everything.
“These wipes, when they are introduced into the wastewater infrastructure, can do serious damage,” said state Rep. Sean Garballey, D-Arlington. The legislator has filed a two-pronged bill requiring a new label that would indicate the product should not be flushed down the toilet, as well as a public education campaign about the issue.