An international study revealed that a percentage of reusable menstrual products contain high levels of toxic chemicals known as PFAS. The research, published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, found that 33% of menstrual underwear and 25% of reusable pads exhibited elevated levels of these substances. The findings suggest that "these compounds were used deliberately during manufacturing," according to the study.
The investigation analyzed more than 70 reusable hygiene products available in the global market, including menstrual underwear, cloth pads, menstrual cups, and reusable incontinence products marketed in Europe, the United States, South America, and Asia. Led by Graham Peaslee, a physicist, and co-author Alyssa Wicks, the study focused on evaluating the presence of PFAS in reusable feminine hygiene products, a category that had previously escaped scientific scrutiny.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of toxic fluorinated compounds known for their resistance to heat, water, oil, and stains. They are prevalent in household items, such as waterproof apparel, nonstick pans, and personal care products. PFAS are often referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their strong chemical and thermal stability, causing them to linger nearly indefinitely in the environment and for several years in the human body.
"We were surprised to discover that almost a third of these reusable menstrual products are made with PFAS, especially considering that they are aimed at an environmentally and health-conscious audience," said Graham Peaslee, the lead author of the study.
The results revealed that 71.2% of the analyzed samples contained "low and unintended levels" of PFAS, possibly derived from packaging. However, the detection of higher levels in a fraction of products indicates intentional use. "This means these products are both a risk to the wearer as well as to the rest of us when they are eventually disposed of, since we know that these forever chemicals persist when they end up in landfills, contaminating irrigation and drinking water systems for all of us," Peaslee explained.
A notable discovery of the study is that only a fraction of the brands that make reusable feminine hygiene products use PFAS intentionally. "Only a subset of the products had high levels of PFAS present, which means that PFAS must not be essential in the manufacture of reusable feminine hygiene products," noted Wicks.
The study authors expressed concern about the safety of these products, especially as more consumers opt for multi-use products over disposable ones due to environmental considerations. The reduction in the use of paper and plastic is beneficial, but the potential introduction of harmful chemicals poses new risks.
PFAS have been linked to several adverse health conditions, including immunosuppression, hormonal dysregulation, developmental delays in children, low birth weight, accelerated puberty, high blood pressure in pregnant women, and an increased risk of some cancers, such as kidney and testicular cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that PFAS have been found in the blood of more than 99% of all Americans.
Previous studies at other institutions suggest skin absorption could be a pathway to exposure to certain PFAS, especially concerning products of prolonged use and intimate contact. "There's still a lot we don't know about the extent to which PFAS are being used in the manufacturing of these products, and too much we don't know about the potential for these chemicals to be absorbed through the skin by the consumers who wear them," Peaslee said.
Each product was screened using particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy, which involves a proton beam bombarding the surface of the material to measure total fluorine content. For products with multiple layers, Wicks analyzed each layer, resulting in a total of 323 unique samples tested.
The authors hope the peer-reviewed study will help identify the need for ingredient transparency in the industry. "What this study, and others to follow, can do is help consumers ask manufacturers the right question: 'Does this product contain any intentional use of PFAS?'" Peaslee explained.
Currently, there's no labeling requirement for these products regarding PFAS. Only a handful of U.S. states have drafted legislation requiring consumer products to be free of intentional PFAS use.
The researchers deliberately chose not to identify PFAS concentrations by brand. After identifying at least one sample per product category that contained zero intentionally added PFAS, the researchers stressed that safer and healthier alternatives can likely be manufactured without them. "This is good news in that it demonstrates PFAS are not required to produce these environmentally conscious products, and manufacturers should be able to make these textile products without chemicals of concern in them," Peaslee stated.
The preparation of this article relied on a news-analysis system.