http://twitter.com/#!/salma_khan/status/252905344068632577

Tweeters have been alternately fretting and snarking all day as news of a potential global diaper shortage spreads. The odoriferous disaster could occur thanks to an explosion Saturday at a chemical plant in the Japanese city of Himeji. Owned by the Nippon Shokubai Company, the plant produces 20% of the world’s supply of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) and 10% of the  world’s acrylic acid. Both of these compounds are very, very important for the manufacture of disposable diapers.

Many people are legitimately worried about what could happen as the price spikes hit the fan.

https://twitter.com/HerGorditaJ735/status/252909592210722817

Potty training, here we come –> Diaper Shortage Possible After Plant Explosion http://t.co/9B2HNiOL via @YahooNews

— Elizabeth McGolerick (@WeissWords) October 2, 2012

bought 3 cases of diapers. There may not be a diaper shortage, but we are prepared nonetheless.

— Lindsey (@adollopofmylife) October 1, 2012

https://twitter.com/Nanette/status/252919519109079041

https://twitter.com/Nanette/status/252920357982449664

Plenty of people are also taking the opportunity to promote cloth diapers.

visit http://t.co/wJzsSLzk Get educated on Cloth Diapers! http://t.co/zqhmhTjR

— Area events Radio (@AreaeventsRadio) October 1, 2012

Wow!!! Im glad i use cloth diapers!! @FuzziBunz @eLeMeNO_Pee http://t.co/imD1WMrx

— Jill Crawford (@MamaCrawford2) October 1, 2012

…and diaper producers are trying to reassure a nervous public.

Procter & Gamble: "We do not expect a significant impact" when asked about rumors of a diaper shortage.

— Justin Lear (@CNNJustin) October 1, 2012

Of course, some people were just too busy laughing to worry about the impending smelliness that could bring society to its knees.

bacon shortage and disposable diaper shortage…oh my, the world is ending for some class of folks….LMAO

— Topanga Matthews (@SassyGayPeyton) October 1, 2012

First a bacon shortage and now a diaper shortage? I smell a conspiracy.

— Colin (@cccolinnn) October 1, 2012

In all seriousness, though, there is more to this story than diapers. The explosion was a genuine disaster and our hearts should go out to the victims:

Explosions at Japanese chemical plant kill one, injure 30 in Himeji – http://t.co/vxVWxoe6

— The Japan Times (@japantimes) September 30, 2012

Himeji, Japan: A firefighter died when a fire in a tank of acrylic acid triggered a series of explosions at a chemi… http://t.co/jzIeYjls

— Fire World (@IndFireWorld) October 1, 2012

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2012/10/01/potty-humor-twitterverse-frets-about-looming-global-diaper-shortage/