Until the late 1990s, the cotton and/or rayon used to make the tampons were bleached with elemental chlorine gas which was known to leave dioxin residues. Dioxin is a pervasive environmental contaminant and a known human carcinogen. It accumulates in body fat over time with repeated exposure.
The use of these dioxin laced fibers in the manufacture of disposable feminine hygiene products caused millions of women and girls to unwittingly allow carcinogenic toxins to come into contact with the thin and delicate tissues of their female reproductive organs, month after month, year after year.
In response to fears of dioxin residues in feminine hygiene products, bleaching with elemental chlorine gas is no longer used. According to the FDA, sanitary products are now bleached via one of the following methods:
- Elemental chlorine-free bleaching: These methods include the use of chlorine dioxide gas as the bleaching agent as well as totally chlorine-free processes. Some elemental chlorine-free bleaching processes can still generate dioxins at extremely low levels. In practice, however, this method is considered to be dioxin free by the FDA.
- Totally chlorine-free bleaching. These methods are completely dioxin-free. Totally chlorine-free methods include, for example, use of hydrogen peroxide as the bleaching agent.
Is the dioxin really and truly gone with these new bleaching methods? The FDA reports that dioxin can “theoretically” be created with chlorine free bleaching. In practice, however, it appears dioxin is still very much present. A study sponsored by the FDA Office of Women’s Health published in 2005, found “detectable levels of dioxin in seven brands of tampons,” including at least one 100 percent cotton brand.
Dioxin Exposure Directly Correlated with Development of Endometriosis
Endometriosis was found to be directly correlated with dioxin exposure in a colony of rhesus monkeys chronically exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD or dioxin) for a period of 4 years. Ten years after termination of dioxin treatment, the presence of endometriosis was documented by surgical laparoscopy.
With endometriosis rates soaring in young women, one has to wonder if chronic exposure to low levels of dioxin residues from sanitary products could partly be to blame?
Chlorine Dioxide is a Pesticide
Even if dioxin is mostly gone using these newer bleaching methods, another problem emerges in the manufacturing process for tampons and sanitary napkins.
While totally chlorine-free bleaching with oxygen or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) appears safe, the use of chlorine dioxide is likely not. While chlorine dioxide smells somewhat like chlorine bleach, it should not be confused with elemental chlorine gas. They are two distinct chemicals that react differently and produce by-products that have little in common.
Chlorine dioxide is an antimicrobial pesticide that has been used for its disinfectant properties since the early 1900s. Microbes are killed by chlorine dioxide via disruption of nutrients across the cell wall.
Chlorine dioxide was one of the pesticides used as part of the federal decontamination response to the anthrax spore bioterrorism attacks of October 2001.
So, while dioxin residue may potentially no longer be a problem for sanitary products, pesticide residues are.
One problem replaced with another as is frequently the case with industrially manufactured products!
Is exposure to chlorine dioxide residue dangerous?
No one knows for sure. While chlorine dioxide itself is toxic, the effects of long term, low level exposure such as would occur for women and girls using conventional sanitary products several days each month for decades on end is unknown. According to a 2002 World Health Organization report on long term exposure to chlorine dioxide:
“There are no chronic inhalation or dermal studies available and no conventional carcinogenicity studies are available”.
Cotton: The Most Highly Sprayed Crop of All
Besides the concern for chlorine dioxide residue, commercial sanitary products made with cotton or a cotton/rayon blend would contain other pesticide residues from the cultivation of the cotton itself.
According to the Pesticide Action Network:
“Conventionally grown cotton uses more insecticides than any other single crop. Nearly $2.6 billion worth of pesticides are sprayed on cotton fields each year – accounting for more than 10% of total pesticide use and nearly 25% of insecticides use worldwide.”
Unlike cotton clothing that can be washed before coming into contact with the skin, feminine hygiene products are used right out of the package, immediately coming in contact with delicate and thin tissues of the female reproductive system.
Between the bleaching process and pesticide laced cotton cultivation practices, disposable feminine hygiene products like sanitary pads and tampons are likely some of the most toxic personal care items women and girls use on a regular basis.
Rumor Control: Asbestos in Tampons?
Internet rumors in recent months have claimed that there is asbestos in commercial tampons. These claims suggest that asbestos is purposefully added to tampons by manufacturers to promote excess bleeding and hence, sell more product and increase profits.
You will be relieved to know that testing of commercial tampons has not indicated this to be true. According to a FDA report:
“Asbestos is not an ingredient in any U.S. brand of tampon, nor is it associated with the fibers used in making tampons. Moreover, tampon manufacturing sites are subject to inspection by FDA to assure that good manufacturing practices are being followed. Therefore, these inspections would likely identify any procedures that would expose tampons products to asbestos. If any tampon product was contaminated with asbestos, it would be as a result of tampering, which is a crime. Thus far, FDA has received no reports of tampering. Anyone having knowledge of tampon tampering is urged to notify FDA or a law enforcement officer.”
Safe, Green Choices to Toxic Feminine Hygiene Products
For women and mothers of newly pubescent girls who wish to choose a safer route, fortunately many options are available.
First of all, organic feminine hygiene products could be used. While these products may avoid the pesticide residues from commercially grown cotton and the chlorine dioxide gas used in bleaching, other problems emerge with disposal.
The book Flow: The Cultural History of Menstruation, estimates that the average woman throws away up to 300 pounds of feminine hygiene related products in a lifetime. While this may not be huge (.5% of personal landfill waste), considering the astronomical amount of garbage produced, it all ads up particularly when there are greener options available.
One option for safe and reusable sanitary items would be organic, cloth pads made with cotton, hemp or even bamboo. For heavier days or when water sports or other sports related activities are involved, however, pads just don’t cut it.
For active women and girls, a reusable menstrual cup made with natural, nontoxic materials like gum rubber is an excellent choice. A good quality cup will set you back about $30 upfront, but you will likely never have to buy another one and will save hundreds in the coming years compared with purchasing disposable organic sanitary tampons.
Menstrual cups are easy to use and in most cases, you don’t even need a pad when wearing one. The female scientists in the Biosphere 2 used menstrual cups as their sole form of feminine protection. Just be sure to get the correct size: one size for girls and women who have not given birth and one for women who have.
There is no doubt that ditching commercial feminine hygiene products is one of the smartest personal care changes a women can make to assure her current and ongoing reproductive health. Choosing organic disposable products or even better, a reusable, natural materials menstrual cup that is safe, convenient, effective, easy to use and good for the planet is a wise practice not just for ourselves but for our developmentally vulnerable young daughters as well.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Sources and More Information
Curing Endometriosis Naturally
World Health Organization, Chlorine Dioxide
Anthrax spore decontamination using chlorine dioxide
Tampons and Asbestos, Dioxin, & Toxic Shock Syndrome
Pesticide Action Network: Cotton
Endometriosis in rhesus monkeys following chronic exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
Sarah Pope has been a Health and Nutrition Educator since 2002. Her work is dedicated to helping families effectively incorporate the principles of ancestral diets within the modern household. She is a sought after lecturer around the world for conferences, summits, and podcasts.
Her work has been covered by major media including USA Today, ABC, NBC, and many others.
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I have tried “The Keeper” menstrual cup. and, I had tried to ensure that the size and type were appropriate and that it was inserted as instructed – for whatever the reason (unless there is a trick that could be tried at a future date), the experience was painful each time I tried to use them, both upon insertion and removal. Unless there is a less painful method that can be tried, I do not want to use those in future. I think I prefer organic pads.
great post ! women in 3 rd world countries are not aware of any of this. Feminine hygiene is very neglected topic over there hope some would do something for them too!
The reason most women shy away from pads is that they are not comfortable, often laden with toxic chemicals, and usually do not absorb as well as they should.
I tried some of the other products out there, but I believe the flow should come out immediately due to the toxins our bodies flush through the flow.
For this reason I kept looking but my searches came up empty and I settled for the same brand as most other women, Always.
Over the last few years though, many independent studies have been done by women’s organizations revealing the toxic and shocking contents of the Always pads and many other store bought pads, tampons and more.
Very recently I discovered that we FINALLY have safer alternatives, organic pads with no toxic chemicals! They usually do a better job than anything you have worn before. Ladies, I encourage you all to find one of these and try it at least once. When it comes to our most sensitive parts and the most uncomfortable things that happen to them, we shouldn’t rule these new options out without trying them!