Sanitary pad manufacturing companies are not required by law to state ingredients on the packet as they are labelled as ‘medical products’
Several other countries have put strict regulations to ensure sanitary pads’ safety. Representative photo: iStock. Chemicals used in manufacturing menstrual pads in India can potentially impact the health of girls, women, transgender men and non-binary people who menstruate, according to a new study. These chemicals can cause long-term health impacts, it added.
People who mensturate spends nearly 2,000 days of their lives menstruating, on an average, where sanitary pads are a first-choice product.
Manufacturers add chemicals for presentation, functionality and consumer acceptance. The study, conducted by Delhi-based non-profit Toxics Link, zeroed in on primarily two hazardous chemicals — phthalates and volatile organic compounds (VOC) — that could have long-term effects.
There is a growing concern about a potential health threat, in the absence of a regulatory framework to dictate chemical content limits in sanitary pads for manufacturers.
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The study titled Wrapped in Secrecy was published November 21, 2022. It tested 10 types of sanitary pads available in the market. Plastics and fragrance ingredients emerged among the key chemicals used.
The former was measured in the highest quantity in an organic sanitary pad (Plush 100% Pure US Cotton), while the latter was detected in highest quantity in a non-organic sanitary pad (Bella Regular Drai Wings).
Phthalates or phthalic acid esters (PAES), which fall in the plastics category, are typically used “to make the material softer and more flexible, increase plasticity, reduce viscosity, or reduce friction during manufacturing.”
In sanitary pads, its primary role is to improve elasticity and gel properties. Our understanding of the health impacts of phthalates first began a decade ago and is widely understood today.
The menstruating population, which uses sanitary pads for most of their lifetime, runs the risk of developing endometriosis, pregnancy-related complications — such as preterm birth and pregnancy-induced hypertension — male reproductive tracts anomalies, coronary heart disease and insulin resistance, among others.
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VOCs add fragrances, adsorbents, moisture barriers, adhesives and binders in sanitary pads. These are “compounds that have a low water solubility and high vapour pressure, which is released in the form of gas from certain solids or liquids,” the report noted.
Key health concerns include memory loss, loss of appetite, tiredness, menstrual cycle issues and paralysis of the central nervous system.
The study does not quantify the degree of health potential for these chemicals. Studies with similar findings have been conducted globally as well, with a chemical presence being found in sanitary pads as early as 2002.
Absorbent fillers surface and pad texture are subject to basic tests, according to the Bureau of Indian Standards 1980. However, this regulation does not include any specific tests for toxicity.
“Sanitary pad manufacturing companies are not required by law to state ingredients on the packet as they are labelled as ‘medical products’, thus exempted from the ingredient-listing,” the report noted.
Several other countries have put strict regulations to ensure sanitary pads’ safety. For instance, the United States classifies pads under FDA Class I medical devices.
The guidelines for products under this category are not legally binding and are only recommendatory. They suggest manufacturers to “look at new compositions in terms of materials and also identify new bleaching processes or technology used during manufacturing.”
In Korea, phthalates are prohibited by law and regulations under the Quasi-Drugs by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
The European Union restricts the use of phthalates. In Australia, there are “some regulations on manufacturing of tampons to minimise risk to health associated with the use of such products”, but chemicals find no specific mention.
With the government focus on spreading awareness about menstruation and ensuring access to sanitary products but a lacking regulatory system, “these schemes usually pick up the low cost or easily available products in the market.”
In conclusion, the study recommends thorough investigation of sanitary pads to test for chemical levels, regulatory framework, making public the product ingredient list and responsible advertising, among others.
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