Laboratory analyzes recently revealed that “organic” menstrual protection from the Thinx brand would contain toxic compounds. Controversy has lifted the veil on the variety of potentially harmful particles in feminine hygiene products. And above all, on the lack of data describing the effects of these particles.
“People are generally concerned about the chemicals found in food, or even in makeup,” notes Alexandra Scranton, director of science and research for the American organization Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE ). “But when we talk to people about substances in menstrual products that a sensitive part of the female body is exposed to, we’re told, ‘Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.’ »
Alexandra Scranton has been interested for several years in research published around the world on menstrual protection: tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual cups, etc. Existing research… but also all those still missing.
I believe there is a kind of blindness in society stemming from menstrual stigma. We do not want to talk about it collectively, and therefore little research is done on the subject.
Alexandra Scranton, Director of Science and Research for Women’s Voices for the Earth
Pesticides, dioxins, parabens… A lot of substances found in these products are the subject of concern within the scientific community for their little-known effects on health.
Even seemingly safe products are no exception. Thinx, which prides itself on offering “organic” and “non-toxic” reusable products, recently settled a class action lawsuit that will cost it up to $5 million.
The lawsuit related to period panties sold by the company, washable underwear intended to absorb blood flow. Laboratory analyzes have revealed significant amounts of PFAS in these products. These virtually indestructible organic compounds accumulate in the body and the environment, hence their nickname “eternal pollutants”.
Omnipresent pollutants
PFAS (or perfluorinated compounds) are used in a wide range of commercial products, from non-stick pans and guitar strings to synthetic turf and food packaging.
These compounds are particularly prized for their waterproofing properties. Hence the interest of such molecules in the manufacture of menstrual protection.
PHOTO OLIVIER PONTBRIAND, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
PFAS (or perfluorinated compounds) are used in the manufacture of menstrual protection.
Alexandra Scranton has scrutinized the patents of some of the world’s largest manufacturers of these hygiene products: P&G, Kimberly-Clark, Unicharm Corp., Thinx… Each has patented, over the past 20 years, a technology that mentions PFAS that can be used for the design of menstrual protection.
“There’s no indication that companies are using these patents, but they all felt at some point that this technology would be a good idea,” notes the scientist, who has a master’s degree in environmental science from the University of Montana. .
Although the effects of eternal pollutants are not yet well described, several studies have linked the accumulation of these substances in the body to problems such as the reduction of immune responses, the imbalance of hormones and the appearance of certain cancers.
“Companies seem to focus more on the efficacy and performance of their products than on the effects on the human body,” laments Alexandra Scranton.
Looking for research
In early 2021, the Conseil du statut de la femme du Québec (CSF) analyzed the scientific literature on chemical substances in menstrual protection for its report Facilitate access to menstrual products.
“No studies seem to have been carried out in the West on the potential effects of reusable menstrual pads and panties on women’s health,” the report noted. The menstrual cup is only associated, with current data, with minimal health risks, according to a meta-analysis cited by the document.
As far as disposable products are concerned, the research listed by the Council shows a wide range of potentially harmful substances detected, but mainly in quantities which would not present any danger.
“On the other hand, the studies generally focus on a few specific substances,” emphasizes Mélanie Julien, director of research and analysis at the CSF. They do not take into account the cumulative effect of women’s daily exposure to these substances. »
In an email to The PressHealth Canada states that it “continually monitors the safety of health products on the market, including tampons and sanitary napkins, using information from a variety of sources, including adverse reaction data, scientific and medical literature and data from regulatory authorities in other countries”.
Change the rules
Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou, a professor at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in New York, has been studying toxic molecules in menstrual protection for several years.
What is all the more worrying, she explains, is that we are talking here about products that women place on a very permeable region of their body and which can lead, via the vaginal canal, to high concentrations of contaminants in the blood.
Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou, professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health
The effectiveness of vaginal absorption was demonstrated in particular by a study published in 2019 in the journal The Lancet. The administration of a drug via the vaginal route can lead to a maximum average concentration twice as high in the blood plasma as by the oral route, report the authors.
In the case of menstrual products, toxic compounds are not necessarily intentionally incorporated by companies, notes Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou. “We can think, for example, of cotton in some of these products,” she illustrates. The cotton field may be near a plant that emits heavy metals absorbed by the plants through the air or the roots. »
“The goal is not to panic the population, adds the researcher. But you need to test all of these products, you need more data, more research, and you definitely need more funding for that research. Let’s say that for the moment, it does not seem to be the priority of the leaders. »
Some health risks associated with beauty and hygiene products
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Nail polish may contain endocrine disruptors.
Hair products
About 60 lawsuits have recently been filed against manufacturers of hair straightening products, including the L’Oréal group, due to health problems associated with their products. Last October, a study by the National Institutes of Health in the United States revealed that users of these products had a 2.5 times higher risk of developing uterine cancer.
Nanosilver
Silver-based nanoparticles, also called nanosilver, are added during the production of certain menstrual products. Manufacturers say they use them for their antibacterial properties to reduce bad odors. “These particles are exposed to the vaginal microbiome, which is extremely important, explains Alexandra Scranton. Disrupting this microbiome represents an unnecessary health risk. »
Endocrine disruptors
A panoply of endocrine disruptors are found inside perfumes, nail polishes and day creams, among others. These substances can harm the proper functioning of the hormonal system and are particularly associated, in animals, with reproductive problems and a reduction in immune defences. However, their effects on humans remain to be clarified.