7 August 2025
By Helen Lynn, Senior Consultant and Research Fellow (Feminist Toxic Free Futures)
“We are dismayed to see another study finding yet more toxic chemicals in period products. This time it’s the turn of ecofriendly reusables to be tested and found to be wanting.
“The researchers tested 59 products in five different categories including period pants, menstrual cups, and reusable period pads. 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 are a group of chemicals more commonly known as ‘forever chemicals’. They are used to make products water-repellent, nonstick, 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 ie kidney and testicular, and elevating cholesterol levels and obesity risks.
“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.
“The tipping point has been reached and vastly exceeded in terms of the weight of evidence needed to finally regulate these 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/
