‘Forever chemicals’ found in period underwear, tampon wrappers

By Teddy Amenabar | The Washington Post | August 11, 2023

Read the full article by Teddy Amenabar (The Washington Post)

"New research has found “forever chemicals” in the lining of period underwear, the wrappers of tampons and in other menstruation products.

Forever chemicals, or PFAS, are man-made compounds that can potentially accumulate in the body over time and take years to break down in nature. PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been implicated in a number of serious health effects, including some cancers, high blood pressure, disruption of the endocrine system and developmental problems in children.

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame studied more than 120 different menstruation products — menstrual cups, pads, underwear and tampons — sold in the United States.

The research found forever chemicals in some, but not all, of the products. Although the researchers did not provide specific details, the study found that “a good fraction” of the period underwear products had detectable levels of PFAS in the lining, said Graham Peaslee, a physics professor at the University of Notre Dame who led the research."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• ProductsCosmetics
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Affected community
• Health
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data