The Dangers in Menstrual Products: A Growing Concern
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The latest research in period hygiene products has uncovered alarming levels of harmful chemicals, posing serious health risks. This revelation is unsettling considering approximately 15 million individuals in the UK menstruate, meaning the period products they rely on are not only important, they are essential. Menstrual products come in various forms and are distributed by a vast number of companies. Recent investigations have detected numerous harmful substances in menstrual products including lead, arsenic, parabens and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFAO). These chemicals are associated with negative health impacts ranging from infertility to cancer, of particular concern is PFOA, which is classified as carcinogenic to humans.
PFOA belongs to a group of fluorinated compounds known as per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’. These compounds are synthetically produced and notorious for their inability to degrade in the environment or the human body. Despite their known extended half-life and tendency to accumulate in the body, their misuse is extensive in everyday life where they are prevalent in food wrappers, cosmetics, drinking water and now menstrual products.
A U.S lawsuit against a major menstrual product manufacturer revealed that PFOAs leak from menstrual pads at approximately 756 parts per trillion per hour, a high-risk quantity. These compounds were primarily found in the wrappers and seals of period products, and some were even ironically labeled as ‘organic’. PFOAs are hydrophobic and may therefore be used for their stain-resistant, anti-leakage properties. However, not all menstrual products utilize these compounds, highlighting that they are in fact not a necessity.
In 2023, Graham Peaslee and his team at the University of Notre Dame examined 100 hygiene products for fluorinated compounds. High levels of PFAs were detected in several sanitary pads, both disposable and reusable. Similar concentrations were discovered in samples of period underwear. Peaslee suggested the compounds were implemented deliberately, despite the associated health risks that are well-established. The results are distressing given that products such as period underwear are marketed as next-generation menstrual care solutions.
New research has also demonstrated that skin is more permeable to PFAs than previously thought. Dermal surfaces absorbed 13.5% of PFAs during short exposure and up to 38% in prolonged contamination. Given that the vaginal area is intricately vascularized and under-researched, it may be more absorptive than is currently understood.
PFOA is tightly restricted in other countries, however, it is not banned in the UK. PFOA is classed as a group 1 carcinogen and is associated with a vast array of health risks– demonstrating immunosuppressive qualities and causing epigenetic alterations in exposed humans. A government regulatory authority has proposed banning its use in fire extinguisher manufacturing, yet it has not addressed the presence of PFOA in period products.
Historical underfunding and exclusion from research have culminated in a lack of data in female reproductive studies. While the simple presence of PFOA in period products cannot determine their potential toxicity, this new research is distressing for menstruating individuals. As information regarding these harmful substances comes to light, there is a critical need for more research on menstrual product dangers and the development of safer alternatives.