#1) Tampons that are bleached contain dioxins. Dioxins, even trace levels are concerning because they are cancer-causing agents, can disrupt the hormone system, have been linked to endometriosis.
#2) Tampons are made of cotton, and cotton growers use some of the most hazardous pesticides in use today. The World Health Organization has classified many cotton pesticides as “extremely or highly hazardous.” These pesticides have been linked to infertility, neurological dysfunction and developmental defects.
#3) Tampons contain “fragrance”, which is a trade secret. When tested, the top secret “fragrance” identified the presence of phthalates, a chemical linked to hormone disruption and infertility.
#4) Tampons that are not 100% cotton contain synthetic fibers that shed into your vaginal tract. These fibers can lead to bacterial colonization and create infections.
#5) Tampons fill our landfills! Approximately 20 billion pads, tampons and applicators are sent to North American landfills annually! The average menstruating North American will throw away 125-150kg or 16,800 disposable pads or tampons in her lifetime.
What’s a Girl to do?
Use re-usable pads ( visit Lunapads.com)
Use a Diva Cup
Use Naturacare products
Celebrate your Period, don’t plug it up!
Research
1 National Research Center for Women and Families Web site, “Tampon Safety,” by Susan Dudley, PhD, Salwa Nassar, BA, Emily Hartman, BA. Last accessed September 21, 2010. http://www.center4research.org/2010/04/tampon-safety/
2 FDA Web site: Tampons and Asbestos, Dioxin, & Toxic Shock Syndromehttp://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PatientAlerts/…
3 Thornton, Joe. Pandora’s Poison: Chlorine, Health and a New Environmental Strategy, MIT Press 2000. Page 60, Table 2.1, “International Agency for Research on Cancer classification of organochlorine carcinogens.”
4 Thornton, Joe. Pandora’s Poison: Chlorine, Health and a New Environmental Strategy, MIT Press 2000 Page 88, Table 2.2, “Effects of organchlorines on hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth factors.”
5 Rier, S and WG Foster. Environmental Dioxins and Endometriosis.” Toxicological Sciences, 2002.
6 Center for Health, Environment and Justice sign-on letter to President-elect Obama, January 2009. Last accessed September 7, 2010. http://www.chej.org/documents/Dioxin_Letter_To_Obama.pdf
7 Gibbs, Lois Marie. Dying From Dioxin: A Citizen’s Guide to Reclaiming Our Health and Rebuilding Democracy. South End Press, 1995. pp73-74.
8 World Health Organization, “Dioxins and their effects on human health.” Last accessed September 7, 2010.http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs225/en/index.html
9 PANNA: “Problems with conventional cotton production.” Last accessed September 7, 2010. http://www.panna.org/node/400
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