Öko-Test checked 19 products and found that the items have improved. But what does that mean specifically? And what pollutants are we talking about?
Even though sustainable hygiene products are available on the market as an alternative to tampons, disposable pads and panty liners, 83 percent of German women between the ages of 14 and 60 only use disposable products during their menstruation. Only 7% use reusable products. These are the results of a Forsa survey commissioned by the consumer and advice portal sparwelt.de .
Plastic & plasticizers
The “menstrual shop” Almo deals with menstrual hygiene on its online portal and has listed a few points on the subject of harmful substances. Plastic is at the top of this list and where there is plastic, plasticizers are not far away. Phthalate-based plasticizers are said to be found in all tested hygiene products from China. This includes, among other things, the so-called DEHP, which is considered to be harmful to reproduction.
In addition to phthalates, the online portal also refers to other plasticizers such as bisphenol A, or BPA for short - which is even said to have an influence on the human genome.
But menstrual cups don't seem to be phthalate-free either. The portal points out that the silicone compound D4, which can be harmful to reproduction, was found in such a product.
Sounds worrying. But Almo also confirms: The products have improved. The problem has reached the manufacturers.
In 2007, Öko-Test found questionable ingredients in 14 of 16 products. In a more recent test from 2020 , only one product was criticized for having organohalogen compounds.
Source: Almo
The WDR science magazine Quarks also studies Öko-Test's studies and states that it can be assumed that tampons and menstrual cups generally do not contain any harmful substances - "at least not above the limit values that apply to food." However, at the same time also criticized that these limits for tampons and menstrual cups should be lower - because they lie very close to the vaginal mucosa for hours.
It is also criticized that too little consideration is given to the fact that “disturbing substances could also enter the woman's body through the plastic packaging of tampons or plastic tampon applicators.” (Source: Quarks )
Almo attention to this thin layer of plastic in which the tampon is encased. Sanitary pads and panty liners are connected to plastic via an adhesive surface. The glue itself can also contain questionable ingredients. These packaging materials usually do not come into direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that residues remain on the product itself.
Öko-Test points out in its article that since July 2021, providers have had to print a notice on the packaging if the tampons contain plastic. However, products that came onto the market beforehand can still be sold, which is why consumers cannot tell at first glance whether all tampon brands contain plastic. Organic tampons, on the other hand, are free of plastic, except for one product in the test. They are made entirely of organic cotton.
Conclusion: The studies showed no problem with the current limit values in the laboratory models - but there are no studies that check directly on women whether harmful substances accumulate in the body via tampons and the like. (Source: Quarks )
The results of the eco-test also show this: consumers cannot always tell whether the tampon contains plastic.
What else needs to be taken into account?
Parabens. They are used in cosmetics to keep them bacteria-free and are also said to be contained in hygiene products. They have fallen into disrepute because they are said to have a hormonal effect. The German Cancer Society even issued a warning about deodorants that contain the substances. But the fact is also:
There are currently no long-term studies on parabens. However, many researchers agree that, based on current knowledge, the fear of the substances is unfounded as long as their concentration remains below the limit values. The German Cancer Society has also backtracked on its warning.
Source: Quarks
The science magazine recommends reading the ingredient lists.
Methyl and ethyl paraben in particular are considered safe. According to the Europe-wide cosmetics regulations, they are permitted in cosmetic products up to a concentration of 0.4 percent. If they occur in mixtures, the concentration may be 0.8 percent.
Propyl and butyl paraben may occur in concentrations of 0.19 percent. Their permissible limit is lower because absorption through the skin has not been sufficiently checked. According to the BfR, there is insufficient data for the parabens isopropyl, isobutyl, pentyl, benzyl and phenylparaben to assess the health impact. The institute advises against their use; benzylparaben is not approved as a preservative in cosmetic products.
Source: Quarks
The online portal Almo points out that alternative chemicals are not a better substitute because parabens have been relatively well researched. However, there are alternatives for pads, tampons and panty liners that do not contain parabens, such as cloth pads and menstrual cups.
Fragrances. Sanitary pads and panty liners in particular are often provided with a fragrance, which is usually produced using artificial chemicals. These in turn can cause itching and rashes in the intimate area. If you are sensitive, it is better to use products without additional fragrances.
Volatile organic compounds. These substances, which arise as gas or vapor from chemicals, can also be found in small quantities in hygiene products. A “long-term health risk” can be ruled out. “However, irritation of the skin is possible. However, the researchers point out that further measures must be taken to ensure that the amounts of VOCs found disappear completely,” says the article in Almo .
Glyphosate. Yes, this can also occur in hygiene products - even if only minimally, as studies from 2015 and 2016 show. There is no need to fear any impact on health. ( HERE )
Toxic shock syndrome
This is an infection that can lead to organ and circulatory failure. It is caused by a certain bacterium that enters the bloodstream via an open wound or the uterus. These are toxic substances from the bacteria type staphylococci. TSS often occurs in menstruating women who “used very absorbent tampons and did not change them for a long period of time.” ( utopia.de )
What can you do
Tips for using tampons
- Only change the tampon when it is soaked. If the cotton is too dry, it can cause minimal abrasion to the vaginal skin when it is pulled out. This promotes infections.
- Used with clean fingers, tampons are absolutely hygienic. Applicators are unnecessary and superfluous.
- During your period, it is enough to wash with clean water and only the external intimate area. Excessive hygiene is unnecessary and disrupts the healthy vaginal environment. An alternative are mild intimate wash lotions.
- If the tampons are made of organic cotton, the environment also benefits: the natural fiber is grown without pesticides - and organic tampons usually do not have a plastic fleece around the absorbent core.
Source: Öko-Test
Almo also recommends cloth pads made from organic cotton. They are plastic-free, reusable and washable. When washing, you should use an appropriate detergent.
With menstrual cups, the risk of residue is reduced. In order to reduce this even further, sustainable providers should be used.
Our conclusion
Yes, there are toxins in pads and tampons. However, these are so small that they should basically have no effect on the body. According to Öko-Test, the items have improved greatly in recent years. For example, while organohalogen compounds from the bleaching process, optical brighteners and environmentally harmful chlorinated plastics were always an issue, a current pollutant analysis shows that the products have improved greatly.
The information portal for menstruation, cycles, etc., strawberry week points out the problematic ingredients, but also emphasizes that all substances are well below the existing limit values. However, it is important to remember that we absorb various pollutants through the air, skin (e.g. in the form of clothing or cosmetics) or through food. There has not yet been any real research into how this total amount of potentially harmful substances affects our bodies.
Those who prefer to avoid disposable hygiene items due to a lack of long-term studies and inadequate labeling can already find some alternatives on the market, such as organic tampons, cloth pads and pads, menstrual underwear, menstrual sponges, etc.
Source: sparwelt.de , Öko-Test , Almo , Quarks , strawberry week
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