In the past year, scientists and health professionals have voiced growing concern over the potential risks of using tampons and other personal hygiene products such as diapers. Increasing evidence suggests some of these products contain trace levels of toxins that, over time, could pose a significant health risk to those who use them. These toxins include dioxins and phthalates, both classed as endocrine disruptors which are coming under increased scrutiny.
New research is now linking the presence of dioxin and phthalates in these products back to the original production process – dioxin from the chlorine used to bleach the material and phthalates which are added to the plastic compounds in these materials. The manufacturers of these products are failing to disclose the use of these harmful chemicals, which is heightening these risks further. A briefing paper Rune Leithe Why the toxic tampon issue isn’t going away WHY THE TOXIC TAMPON ISSUE ISN’T GOING AWAY march 2018 – page 1:4 Evidence of dioxins, phthalates and other carcinogens like furans in six tampon brands. According to WHO, it takes between 7-11 years for the body to eliminate just 50% of all dioxins it contains. Because of this, intrauterine exposure to dioxin could have implications for unborn children during pregnancy. It is estimated the average women will use over 11,000 tampons or menstrual pads over her lifetime – many health experts agree that this level of repeated exposure to toxins like dioxin is problematic. WHY SHOULD WE BE WORRIED? A series of reports and investigations have drawn media attention to this issue, fuelling public concern and protest. Notable research includes the 2013 Chem Fatale study1 which highlighted potential health concerns relating to toxic and allergenic chemicals found in feminine care products, and the 2017 French documentary Tampons, our closest enemy2 which found evidence of dioxins, phthalates and other carcinogens like furans in six tampon brands. Also in 2017, France’s National Institute of Consumption’s 60 million consumers magazine published test results showing similar potentially toxic substances in a range of tampon and diaper brands it analysed 3 . These findings reportedly went viral on Asian blogs targeted at mums, leading to national reports4 of sales of Pampers
1. https://www.womensvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Chem-Fatale-Report.pdf
2. http://balanga.tv/film/tampon-our-closest-enemy/
3. https://www.60millions-mag.com/kiosque/alerte-sur-les-tampons-et-protections-feminines
4. m.koreatimes.co.kr/pad/news/view.jsp?req_newsidx=223249
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