How diapers and menstrual pads are exposing babies and women to hormone-disrupting, toxic chemicals
Environmental Health News
by Brian Bienkowski
Most diapers and sanitary pads contain volatile organic compounds and phthalates and with this continued, long-term exposure a significant amount of these harmful chemicals could be absorbed via the genitals, according to a new study.
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Alexandra Scranton—director of Science and Research for Women’s Voices for the Earth, which focuses on women’s voices and roles in eliminating the toxic chemicals from products— pointed out “major differences between different brands” when it came to the levels of the compounds.
“There was a nearly 6,000-fold difference in levels [of VOCs],” she told EHN. “It tells you that there are a variety of ways these pads are being made – it’s not general uncontrolled contamination, there’s something intentionally being done” during manufacturing.
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Can you give the reference of this new study, that found diapers and sanitary pads to contain volatile organic compounds and phthalates? Thank you very much in advance!
Best regards,
Katharina
Hi Katharina — apologies for the delayed response. The study is referenced in the article (https://www.ehn.org/diapers-and-menstrual-pads-chemicals-2627099478.html) — you can also review it here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0890623818302259. Take care!