According to a study conducted by a Delhi-based environmental NGO, popular sanitary napkins sold in India contain high levels of chemicals linked to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Toxics Link, an NGO, discovered the presence of phthalates and volatile organic compounds in ten samples, six inorganic and four organic sanitary pads on the market. The findings were published in the report ‘Menstrual Waste 2022.’
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Phthalate exposure has been linked to a number of health issues, including endocrine disruption, effects on the heart and reproductive systems, diabetes, some cancers, and birth defects.
VOC exposure raises the risk of brain impairment, asthma, disabilities, certain cancers, and reproductive system dysfunction.
High amounts of harmful chemicals found in sanitary napkins sold in India : Studyhttps://t.co/vP39G2B9ht pic.twitter.com/xYSNDwefOJ
— Navjivan Foundation (@navjivanngo) November 23, 2022
The study discovered the highest levels of phthalates in self-proclaimed “organic” sanitary napkins. The presence of phthalates was found in all types of sanitary napkins, organic and inorganic, according to the study.
DIDP, a type of phthalate, had the highest concentration of any phthalate at 19,460 micrograms per kilogramme (g/kg) in a self-claimed organic pad.
According to the study, concentrations of a combination of phthalates were found to be 0.0321 and 0.0224 gramme in an organic and an inorganic sample, respectively, which is greater than the 0.1% by weight of the product mandated by EU regulations.
Sanitary napkin samples were tested for the presence of 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with compounds such as acetone, chloroform, Benzene, toluene, and others detected in all samples, inorganic and organic.
According to the study, finding high levels of VOCs in all organic samples was shocking, shattering the myth that organic pads are safer.
Menstruators, or women who menstruate, require safe menstrual products that allow them to go about their daily lives without physical limitations. According to the study, disposable sanitary pads are currently the most popular menstrual products worldwide.
Most menstruators use sanitary pads as their first choice for an estimated 1,800 days in their lifetime.
Sanitary napkin samples were tested for the presence of 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with compounds such as acetone, chloroform, Benzene, toluene, and others detected in all samples, inorganic and organic.
