Menstrual panties, cups... Eternal PFAS pollutants discovered in reusable sanitary protection, according to a study

Menstrual panties, cups...: reusable feminine hygiene products may contain " eternal pollutants " PFAS, according to a pilot study conducted by American researchers and published Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Feminine hygiene products "remain in contact with the skin for long periods of time, and the risks associated with skin absorption of PFAS are still poorly understood," said Marta Venier, associate professor at Indiana University and lead author of the study published in "Environmental Science & Technology Letters" in a statement.

"As reusable products are becoming increasingly popular due to their durability compared to single-use products, it is essential to ensure that these products are safe. This is particularly important for adolescent girls and young women, who are more vulnerable to potentially adverse health effects," the chemist said.

Nearly indestructible

She and her team tested 59 reusable personal hygiene products from North America, South America, and Europe: menstrual panties, reusable sanitary pads, menstrual cups, and reusable incontinence underwear or pads.

They detected levels of PFAS high enough that their incorporation was intentional on the part of manufacturers in nearly 30% of the samples.

Several explanations are possible for the use of these substances, which help prevent leaks or make textiles stain-resistant, the authors suggest. But at least one sample per category did not intentionally contain them , "clearly showing that PFAS are not essential components of these products," the study suggests.

Washing textiles containing PFAS results in their release into wastewater systems , the authors point out. At the end of their life, the contribution of these products to landfills also constitutes a pathway for the environmental release of PFAS.

These per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, present in a large number of objects and products, are virtually indestructible. They accumulate over time in the air, soil, water, food, and ultimately in the human body, particularly in the blood and kidney and liver tissues.

Although health authorities believe that knowledge of the health risks associated with various PFAS is insufficient, harmful effects on human metabolism have been identified for several "eternal pollutants".