‘Detox the Box’ Video Highlighting Toxic Pads, Tampons, Goes Viral

Spoof of SNL’s “Dick in a Box” Reaches 15,000 views in under a week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2014

MISSOULA, Mont.— More than 15,000 people have viewed Women’s Voices for the Earth’s hilarious “Detox the Box” video less than a week after it was released. Based on SNL’s wildly popular “Dick in Box” featuring Justin Timberlake, “Detox the Box” aims to convince Procter & Gamble, maker of Tampax and Always and one the world’s largest feminine product manufacturers, to disclose and remove toxic chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption, allergic rashes and more.

“We’re thrilled that thousands of women are responding to the serious message behind this fun spoof video,” said Erin Switalski, Executive Director at Women’s Voices for the Earth. “Women have tremendous economic power, and the more this catches on, the more companies will be held accountable for ingredients that harm our health.”

According to WVE’s groundbreaking “Chem Fatale” report released last fall, tampons are used by up to 85 percent of menstruating women and may contain dioxins or pesticide residues linked to cancer, hormone disruptors, allergens and irritants from fragrance. Feminine wipes, feminine washes and feminine deodorant products contain toxic preservatives like parabens, which may be hormone disruptors, or quaternium-15 and DMDM hydantoin, which release cancer-causing formaldehyde. Most feminine care products are fragranced and commonly contain known fragrance allergens—including anti-itch products. These chemicals sometimes exacerbate the very symptoms a woman is intending to self-treat with these products.

So far, Procter & Gamble has remained silent about WVE’s findings and the new video.

“Our research shows Procter & Gamble uses carcinogens likestyrene, pyridine and methyleugenol in its products, as well as endocrine disruptors like synthetic musks,“ Switalksi said. “In the absence ingredient disclosure, women have no way of knowing whether Tampax and Always, which women may use for several days each month on extremely sensitive skin, contain these toxic chemicals.”

“This video is not only a hilarious way to talk about an uncomfortable subject,” said Cassidy Randall, Director of Outreach and Engagement at Women’s Voices for the Earth and producer of the film. “It sends a hard-hitting message to the biggest consumer product company on the planet that women will no longer stand for secret toxic chemicals in products we use on some of the most absorptive skin on our bodies.”

Special thanks to film directors Gita Saedi Kiely of West of Kin Productions and Katy-Robin Garton of Sprout Films.

Founded in 1995, Women’s Voices for the Earth amplifies women’s voices to eliminate the toxic chemicals that harm our health and communities. With thousands of members across the United States, WVE changes corporate practices, holds government accountable, and works to ensure a toxic-free future for all. Learn more at www.womensvoices.org

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cassidy Randall, cassidyr@womensvoices.org, (406) 543-3747, office
Caitlin Copple, caitlin.j.copple@gmail.com, (406) 493-4281, mobile

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