During their fertile years, half of the inhabitants makes use of menstrual merchandise a number of days a month. Their continued use in direct contact with the genitals exposes menstruating folks to the chemical compounds current of their composition. These embrace plasticizers, that are sometimes added to plastics to make them extra versatile and might be dangerous to well being. This is the case with phthalates, which act as endocrine disruptors and are identified to be current in excessive concentrations. However, different components apart from phthalates have been unknown in menstrual merchandise.
Researchers from the Institute for Environmental Diagnosis and Water Studies (IDAEA-CSIC) have studied the presence of phthalates and, for the primary time, two different households of plasticizers in 41 menstrual merchandise, each disposable—pads, panty liners, and tampons—and fabric pads.
The plasticizers studied are organophosphate esters—which, like phthalates, can act as endocrine disruptors—and various plasticizers, new compounds whose potential toxicity is unknown.
The outcomes of the research point out the presence of the three plastic components in all of the merchandise analyzed, which “indicates that the use of menstrual products is a route of exposure to endocrine disruptors worth taking into account,” says Ethel Eljarrat, director of IDAEA and writer of the research. Therefore, Eljarrat and her crew proceed their analysis to decide to what extent the vaginal and vulvar mucous membranes are a route of entry for these substances. “Our research is now focused on developing methods that allow us to determine the percentages of transfer of the compounds from the product to the skin and absorption through vaginal tissues,” provides the researcher.
Women, extra susceptible
Endocrine disruptors are chemical compounds that may alter our hormonal system. As Léa Maitre, Ramón y Cajal researcher on the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), explains, their results on well being are numerous: “They can affect the immune system, interfere with insulin metabolism, and, in the case of women, they can alter reproductive health—the menstrual and fertility cycle—and increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.”
Women’s vulnerability to endocrine disruptors is said to particular bodily and organic traits. According to endocrinologist Carme Valls-Llobet, writer of the ebook Environment and well being: Women and males in a world of latest dangers (2018), girls are extra delicate to these compounds as a result of they’ve extra fats than males, and fats acts as a reservoir for these chemical compounds. “The endocrine disruptor can act in many ways,” Valls-Llobet factors out, “but the most explosive effect is the alteration of the menstrual cycle.”
On the opposite hand, Maitre, who research the impression of endocrine disruptors on the well being of pregnant girls and adolescents, factors out that an vital threat issue for these substances is being uncovered throughout being pregnant. This can have an effect on the neurological growth of the kid, trigger behavioral and psychological well being issues, and improve the chance of creating ADHD, amongst different results.
One extra supply of publicity
Menstrual merchandise are usually not the one supply of publicity to endocrine disruptors. We are additionally uncovered by meals, pesticides present in some meals; cosmetics and private care merchandise, in addition to by air, mud, and water.
In the particular case of phthalates, organophosphate esters, and various plasticizers, publicity can happen each by inhalation and thru pores and skin contact, both by the pores and skin or by the mouth. packaging from merchandise, fragrances from hygiene merchandise or new furnishings and automobiles.
Many toxins are already current within the surroundings, and even when we stopped producing extra, they’d proceed to persist within the surroundings for a very long time, as a result of it is vitally troublesome to eradicate them. “Chemicals travel: we have found heavy metals and PFAS as far as the North and South Poles,” says Maitre.
Yes, on a person scale, what we will do is scale back publicity to endocrine disruptors by adopting easy habits: reduce the usage of plastic in meals and private care merchandise, purchase natural merchandise, buy secondhand gadgets, ventilate closed areas properly and wash our palms ceaselessly. As for menstrual merchandise, Carme Valls-Llobet’s advice is obvious: “Use a menstrual cup.”
Transparency and regulation
Beyond particular person actions, in accordance to the endocrinologist, it’s vital to regulate the manufacturing and disposal of those merchandise on the nationwide and European ranges.
This can be the demand of the Rezero Foundation, which works for a society freed from waste and toxins and, along with the IDAEA, promoted analysis into the presence of chemical compounds in menstrual merchandise. Rezero requires the appliance of the precautionary precept and the prohibition of the presence of poisonous substances in these merchandise. The group additionally denounces the shortage of transparency in labeling, which frequently fails to present info on components or potential well being results. “Rigorous and clear information should be a legal obligation, not an option, and would help consumers make free and informed decisions,” says Marta Beltran, director of worldwide technique and well being at Rezero.