Wrapped in Secrecy: Toxic Chemicals in Menstrual Products

A majority of sanitary napkins available in the market consist mostly (90 per cent) of plastic, the study notes. It states that the plastic in the pads can lead to health problems such as rashes or infections of the urinary or genital tracts. Extended contact with chemicals contained in the absorbent cores of the pads has also been linked to toxic shock syndrome.

The study cites a research paper published in Sexual & reproductive healthcare: official journal of the Swedish Association of Midwives from 2015 to state that a person uses menstrual products for an estimated average of 1,800 days in their lifetime. “In India, there are nearly 300 million women in the reproductive age group, and around 85 per cent of ever married women do not use hygienic methods [during menstruation],” the research paper adds.

Recently, sanitary pads have been infused with synthetic plastic materials that act as liquid absorbents, the report states. Another development is the addition of fragrance to the pads. The study highlights the growing concern about the effect of these chemicals on the user's health.

Citing data published on the website Statista, the study notes that sales of sanitary napkins in India were expected to grow to 10.31 billion pieces per year by 2021. This is double the pieces estimated sold in 2016 – 5.12 billion.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – such as acetone, chloroform and benzene among others – are used in sanitary pad as fragrances, absorbents, adhesives or moisture barriers. These, the report notes, have been linked to adverse health effects like endocrine disruption, infertility, birth defects and even cancer.

The study notes that certain chemicals like dioxins and furans get unintentionally added to pads through the bleached cotton. Cotton sanitary pads also often carry pesticide residue.

The tissue of the vulvar and vaginal region of the body is highly permeable and allows easy transfer of any chemicals present in the pads into the user’s circulatory system. Phthalates – one such category of chemicals found in sanitary pads – have been connected to endocrine disruption, effects on the reproductive and developmental health, diabetes, cancers and birth defects.

As many as 12 different phthalates were found in the inorganic pads tested. Whisper Ultra Clean – manufactured by Procter & Gamble – one of the most popular brands in India, registered presence of six types of phthalates. Stayfree Dry Max, a Johnson & Johnson product and another widely used brand, showed presence of seven phthalates during testing.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were also found in all the inorganic pads tested. Two of the most used products in the country Whisper Ultra Clean and Stayfree Dry Max tested positive for 14 VOCs each. Acetone was present in high concentrations in both.

India does not have any clear regulations for manufacturers that outline the acceptable amount of chemical content in sanitary pads. The Bureau of Indian Standards, Government of India, laid out rudimentary requirements in 1980 for the absorbent fillers, the surface of the pad and the texture. However, it outlines no test for gauging the toxicity of the components.

The study notes that sanitary napkins are listed as ‘medical products’ in India. This exempts the companies which manufacture the napkins from listing the ingredients on the packet.

The study advocates for governments to frame standards regulating the use of chemicals in sanitary products. It also states that packaging for sanitary products must carry a list of all ingredients the products contain. The study also calls for research into the development of safer substitutes for chemicals currently in use.

Focus and Factoids by Priyanka Gulati.

PARI Library’s health archive project is part of an initiative supported by the Azim Premji University to develop a free-access repository of health-related reports relevant to rural India.