Diapers are undoubtedly an integral part of a baby's growing up years and disposable diapers are largely preferred by working parents for their convenience. Invented by Marion Donovan of the US, disposable diapers are a very expensive baby accessory. However, they are chosen by parents who are largely pressed for time.

When disposable diapers were first introduced in the mid 1950s, they were primarily plastic diapers with plenty of fluff. However, the present breed of disposables have come a long way. All of them are available with water-resistant covers, absorbent pads and dry-weave sheets to make the baby feel as dry and comfortable as possible. There are no attachment diaper pins needed, since most of these diapers come with excellent leak-proof Velcro attachments.

Disposable diapers, in spite of their easy-to-use factor, bring along with them a host of health problems for the baby. The most common problem is diaper rash. Due to repeated urination and lack of proper air circulation, babies often develop rashes that can be extremely painful. Some health experts are of the opinion that dyes used in disposable diapers may lead to permanent damage to the baby's liver as well as the central nervous system. There are even stray reports by some doctors and medical professionals the toxic gas emanating from a used disposable diaper may lead to asthma. The absorbent pads within the diapers contain a chemical solution(present as gel) known as sodium polyacrylate. This controls the fluid within the diaper, preventing leakage. However, this is the chemical that is solely responsible for diaper rashes.

In spite of such obvious drawbacks, disposable diaper manufacturers claim that their products have been repeatedly tested and proved safe. Big production companies also claim to have employed quality-control experts to look for manufacturing defects. Such repeated assurances from manufacturers have led many parents to switch to disposable diapers from cloth ones that are usually considered to be a healthier option.

However, the fact remains that most disposable diapers occupy huge portions of land(once they are disposed) in a world that is becoming increasingly short of space. There are also a number of air borne and water borne diseases that might arise out of such garbage. Human diapers may even prove to be fatal for animals if the toxic gas is inhaled. The disposed of diapers may even affect plant life and may go on to have a detrimental effect on our environment.