Menstruation is an inevitable part of life as a woman. So, talking about the safety of menstrual hygiene products is very important and paramount. A recent study by an NGO reveals that most of the sanitary pads available in the market today contain toxic chemicals that can cause infertility and cancer.
High amounts of chemicals linked with heart disorders, diabetes and cancer, have been found in popular sanitary napkins sold in India, according to a study done by a Delhi-based environmental NGO.
The study by NGO, Toxics Link, found the presence of phthalates and volatile organic compounds in a total of ten samples, six inorganic and four organic sanitary pads available in the market. The findings were published in a report titled ‘Menstrual Waste 2022’.
Exposure to phthalates have been linked to a variety of health concerns including endocrine disruption, impacts to the heart and reproductive systems, diabetes, some cancers, and birth defects.
Highest amounts of phthalates were found in self-proclaimed ‘organic’ sanitary napkins, the study found. According to the study, all types of sanitary napkins, organic and inorganic, tested positive for the presence of phthalates.
Among phthalates, the maximum concentration was of DIDP, a type of phthalate, at 19,460 microgram/kg (µg/kg) in a self-claimed organic pad.
Concentrations of a combination of phthalates were found to be 0.0321 and 0.0224 gram in an organic and an inorganic sample, respectively, which is greater than 0.1% by the weight of the product mandated under EU regulations, said the study.
Sanitary napkins samples were checked for presence of a total of 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) out of which compounds such as acetone, chloroform, Benzene, toluene, and others were detected in all the samples, inorganic and organic.
Over the years, there is an increase in cancers found in women like ovarian, cervical, endometrial, and vaginal cancers. While few recent studies indicate the presence of harmful chemicals in the sanitary pads, there is no definite scientific research yet, that supports linking the disease solely to the usage of sanitary pads. In fact, these cancers can have many causes.
For example, vaginal, vulval and cervical cancers happens largely because of the HPV virus. The chances of this cancer are increased, when the person is over 60 years of age. So, it might be premature to say that genital cancers, endometriosis and infertility could be happening only because of chemicals in that pads and tampons.
The study published is a good start for discussion, and more research is yet to be done on this subject. More studies, and government focus on creating standards for chemicals in sanitary products are needed to come to an accurate conclusion on this topic.
