still quite a few toxic products and contaminants

“Could do better” :cThis is how we could summarize the new investigation, on the front page of the magazine 60 Million consumers of October, on feminine protections. A signed survey Adélaïde Robert, head of the health and cosmetics section of the monthly, which shows that there is still no progress to be made in this area.

franceinfo: “Can we do better” because there are still too many toxic products in all these products?

Adelaide Robert: Yes, we still find quite a few contaminants, pesticide residues or substances which form during certain manufacturing stages, such as chlorine bleaching, and which have a proven or suspected risk of endocrine disrupting effect, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction, or simply allergens.

But you had already done tests 60 Million. Are things not changing? The manufacturers are not making any effort?

Yes, they are making efforts: in any case, we are seeing a proliferation of products presented as “greener”, with “free” claims (chlorine-free, perfume-free), organic cotton, environmental labels, but not all of them are successful. not necessarily to offer products without problematic residue.

And these are substances that can be dangerous for women’s health?

It is not a question of danger, but of risks, during repeated exposure over several decades. Given the fact that these products are in contact with the mucous membranes, it seems reasonable to ask manufacturers to aim for the absence of residues.

What is paradoxical, however, is that manufacturers do not stop communicating about the health and ecological virtues of their products. However, there are things to complain about. Should we believe the labels and logos supposed to guarantee the composition of the products?

Above all, you need to know what these logos and labels that appear on the packaging really mean. The labels offer interesting guarantees, but not all guarantees either. They should strengthen their requirements: here, we have contaminants in labeled products, because the absence of these contaminants simply does not appear in the specifications of the label: these are environmental labels which do not integrate not necessarily more health criteria. But we have products that deserve their label, there is no deception on the label.

But what should you look out for before purchasing a product? Is everything written correctly on the labels?

We’ve been waiting for total transparency on ingredients for years, but we still don’t have it. On the other hand, we have a lot of claims and some are interesting: for example, we recommend products without perfume, without chlorine, without dyes, without lotion. But knowing that we can very well have a product without chlorine and without perfume, but which will contain traces of dioxins. Hence the interest in creating more comprehensive labels for consumers.

You have carried out tests comparing several ranges of tampons, sanitary napkins, or panty liners. In terms of toxicity, are there products more affected than others?

Yes, tampons are the category of hygienic protection where contaminants are most often found: we have 4 out of 9 products with traces of dioxins or glyphosate derivatives.

And in terms of absorption performance?

For performance, it’s the opposite: all the tampons have good absorption performance, there is only one product which has a lower rating, in overall performance, but that’s because of the strength of the fibers. We have a lot more gaps between towels or between panty liners. With one subtlety: we have “4 drops” products that are less efficient than “3 drops” products. In fact, this rating system is not at all harmonized, and does not correspond to the same absorption promises from one brand to another. Might as well know it.

Is there a big difference between the leading brands in this market, or can we trust its often cheaper sub-brands? Because it’s true that it’s a budget every month?

If we look at our results, we see that it is difficult to predict. For the same manufacturer, we have the top product in towels (Always 100% organic cotton) and the worst panty liner (Always Fresh and protect 3 in 1). And we have honorable marks for Hema and Auchan products, and the Labell panty liners which come out on top among the panty liners. So, there is no link, neither with prices, nor with manufacturers, it is case by case.

We readily talk about the ecological momentum concerning feminine protections, the objective being to no longer use them, it is going strong on social networks, particularly in the United States. What does it consist of, and is it really realistic?

If we want to talk about the end of “everything disposable”, with menstrual panties, cups and discs, there is a real alternative. For menstrual panties, the difficulty is finding a high-performance model, because it’s the absorption that is poor. For cups and discs, you have to be comfortable with your body, and face small practical challenges, when it comes to cleaning them in spaces where the sink is shared.

But if you want to talk about the technique of free instinctive flow, which consists of completely freeing oneself from protections, by learning to control the flow of blood, that’s something else again. And it seems much less accessible in an unconfined life, with abundant flow. We have not found any specialists who are really convinced of the possibility of retaining menstrual blood with the perineum.

In summary, what needs to change for a more virtuous cycle? Should we strengthen the health requirements of environmental labels? Strengthen legislation?

Yes, developments are desirable for these labels, they must be even more demanding, including on health criteria. And we need to do a little cleaning up on the logos, which are not labels, and which sow confusion in the minds of buyers.

And then avoid throwing all these products down the toilet, it’s simple but fundamental?

Yes, it sounds stupid, but as long as you can’t throw your tampon in a trash can, it will be thrown into the toilet bowl, and pollute the environment. Colleges, restaurants, offices, in the homes of men, menopausal women: everyone should put a small trash can in the toilet.