PFAS detected in reusable feminine hygiene products, study reveals
By The New Obs with AFP
The study's authors detected levels of PFAS high enough that their incorporation was intentional on the part of manufacturers in nearly 30% of the samples. MARTIN BERTRAND / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP
Menstrual panties , cups, etc.: reusable feminine hygiene products may contain “eternal pollutants” PFAS , according to a pilot study conducted by American researchers and published this Tuesday, July 22.
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.
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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 underwear or incontinence pads.
They detected levels of PFAS high enough that their incorporation was intentional on the part of manufacturers in nearly 30% of the samples.
Almost indestructible chemical substancesThere are several possible explanations 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.
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