WEBVTT - How Diaper Crystals Work

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<v Speaker 1>Welcome to brain Stuff from house stuff works dot com

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<v Speaker 1>where smart happens. Hi Am Marshall Brain with today's question,

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<v Speaker 1>what is the crystalline substance found in disposable diapers? The

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<v Speaker 1>crystals come from the super absorbent layer found in most

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<v Speaker 1>disposable diapers. This layer consists of paper, fluff and a

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<v Speaker 1>chemical absorbent called sodium polyacrylate. Sodium polyaccrylate is an amazing

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<v Speaker 1>water absorber. It can absorb two hundred to three hundred

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<v Speaker 1>times it's weight, and tap water even more if the

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<v Speaker 1>water is distilled and it holds it as a gooey gel.

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<v Speaker 1>Sodium polyaccrylate is a polymer, meaning that it consists of

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<v Speaker 1>chains of identical units called monomers. The monomer for sodium

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<v Speaker 1>polyaccrylate is a little carbon chain with a couple of

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<v Speaker 1>oxygen and sodium adams hanging off of it. It's a

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<v Speaker 1>pretty cool polymer. Shake the crystals out of a new diaper,

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<v Speaker 1>or buy the crystals at a garden center and add

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<v Speaker 1>water or to them to see just how amazing they are.

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<v Speaker 1>There's concern in certain circles about the use of sodium

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<v Speaker 1>polyacculate next to a child's skin. The concern is often

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<v Speaker 1>used as an argument against disposable diapers. Obviously, most people

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<v Speaker 1>considered a minor issue. Just about every disposable diaper contains

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<v Speaker 1>the crystals. Do you have any ideas or suggestions for

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<v Speaker 1>this podcast? If so, please send me an email at

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<v Speaker 1>podcast at how stuff works dot com. For more on

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