In a survey published this Thursday, February 21, 60 million consumers reveal that tampons and sanitary napkins still contain glyphosate residues, as well as phthalates.
Tampons and sanitary napkins without residues of pesticides or phthalates, that’s not for now.
While last July, the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) pointed out in a report the presence in periodic protection of dioxins, phthalates, as well as traces of Monsanto’s herbicide, glyphosate, it would seem that the manufacturers have not yet decided to review the composition of their products despite the recommendations “to improve the quality of the products in order to eliminate or reduce as much as possible the presence of chemical substances”.
In an investigation unveiled this Thursday, 60 million consumers reveals that these substances are still present in sanitary protection, even in those labeled “organic”.
Presence of herbicide and endocrine disruptors
Three years after its first investigation into the composition of pads and tampons, the association conducted new analyses. The results are hardly encouraging, since they reveal “the recurring presence of glyphosate or one of its derivatives in major brand products”, but also that of phthalates “which we had not detected before”. Among these undesirable substances, there is in particular DEPH, a phthalate “of concern” suspected of impairing fertility.
If for the time being, no study makes it possible to know the long-term effects on the health of these chemicals in periodic protections, 60 million consumers point out the risks of such chronic exposure throughout the life of women. . And this, even if the substances are only in “very low concentration”. The consumer association also recalls that in its report, ANSES reported “manifestations of irritation, intolerance, allergy, even microtrauma”.
For its part, the manufacturers’ union Group’Hygiene defended itself to AFP by arguing that “the rare substances detected […] are in trace amounts, at a level well below the health thresholds”. He adds that the substances pointed out by 60 million consumers are not intentionally added to periodical products by the manufacturers but could “be present in the major part of the current agricultural ecosystem and our environment: air, water, soil…”
A lack of transparency on the composition
Beyond the presence of chemical substances in hygienic products, it is the lack of transparency of manufacturers that 60 million consumers denounce. And for good reason: no regulations currently require brands to explicitly indicate the composition of their products. Only half of the brands in the trial display the composition on the packaging. “In the absence of a list of components, it is impossible, after an allergic reaction, to know the molecule which potentially poses a problem in order to opt for protection using other components”, deplores the association, which explicitly names the most recalcitrant manufacturers.
Among them, distributor brands such as Carrefour or E. Leclerc which do not provide any information on the composition of their tampons or pads and have not responded to requests from the association. As for the brands Always, Nana, Nett and Vania, they indicate “gradually adding the name of the components to their packaging”. “But we sometimes find generic terms, such as ‘polymers’ or ‘synthetics’. In the absence of real constraints, there is little chance that brands will really commit to abundant information”, concludes the consumer association.
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