By Helen Lynn, Senior Consultant and Research Fellow (Feminist Toxic Free Futures)
Another month, another study finds yet more toxic chemicals in period products.
We’ve only just recovered from the findings of the tampon testing we carried out with Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK), revealing there is the toxic pesticide glyphosate in tampons, at 40 times the drinking water limit, and now this.
This time it’s the turn of eco-friendly reusables to be tested and found to be wanting. The researchers tested 59 products in five different categories including period pants, menstrual cups, reusable period pads, reusable incontinence pants and one type of reusable incontinence pad.
Tested products were sourced from multiple markets, including North America, South America and Europe.
According to the researchers: “extremely high levels of toxic chemicals called PFAS perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances” were found in this small sampling of reusable period products. Although a small sample, this is likely to be indicative of what is lurking in a larger sampling.
PFAS intentionally added, but without reason
Thirty-three percent of the period underwear tested contained high levels of PFAS and twenty-five percent of the reusable pads. Such high levels indicate that PFAS was intentionally added to the products, without any indication of this for consumers. But this also means that many products didn’t contain any PFAS or PFAS at lower levels, meaning they can be and are manufactured without this toxic additive.
Graham Peaslee one of the scientists stated:
“Many reusable materials were sourced from third-party suppliers in other countries, who may not be as aware of the dangers of PFAS as domestic manufacturers. It did seem to be random – sometimes they put PFAS in the inside layer of material, sometimes on the outside, sometimes between the layers, all of which suggests they have no idea what they’re doing.”
PFAS known as ‘forever chemicals’ are harmful to health
PFAS are a group of chemicals more commonly known as ‘forever chemicals’, the clue being in the name, they stick around…forever. They are used to make products water-repellent, non-stick, and stain resistant. But research has found they can interfere with our hormone or endocrine system (hence they are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)), decreasing fertility, potentially harming foetal development and our reproductive system, promoting the development of certain cancers including kidney and testicular, and elevate cholesterol levels and obesity risks. It’s worth noting that cancers like testicular cancer can be instigated pre-birth.
Hence the presence of toxic chemicals in period products used inside or next to our reproductive organs is of very serious concern. Especially when vaginal absorption is thought to be 10-80% higher than absorption through the skin on the rest of our body.
The levels found were in parts per million, which might sound very low but given there are no safe levels of many PFAS, and EDCs have been found to have adverse health effects in parts per trillion, this is unacceptable. Adverse health effects from exposure to EDCs also depends on the timing of the dose and not just the amounts people are exposed to.
A tipping point for menstrual product regulation
We are feeling now the tipping point has been reached and vastly exceeded in terms of the weight of evidence needed to finally regulate these products. As early as 2002 there have been multiple tests each finding residues of everything from arsenic to biocidal silver in period products.
Although this research lists the brands tested, it does not list the levels of PFAS found in each particular brand, so once again the consumer has to play detective. They advise to look for wording claiming nonstick, stain resistant, or water resistance and or anti-odour claims, and to avoid these products. We advise you to ask questions of the retailer or producers and if you’re not satisfied avoid the products.
Join us to demand effective regulation
Despite mounting evidence of chemical contamination in menstrual products – including past reports of heavy metals such as lead and arsenic found in tampons and high-profile news stories – policymakers have failed to introduce regulation or safety testing. The UK Government has no current plans to tackle chemicals in period products.
Join us in putting pressure on the Government, regulators and manufacturers to make sure findings like this become a thing of the past.
Pledge your support for a Menstrual Health, Dignity and Sustainability Act https://www.wen.org.uk/menstrual-act/
Email Chemicals Minister Emma Hardy to demand action to eliminate pesticides and other harmful chemicals from period products https://www.pan-uk.org/period-products/
Support Environmenstrual Week of Action (20-26 October) and our campaign for the removal of toxic chemicals and pesticides from period products. https://www.wen.org.uk/our-work/environmenstrual/
