New study findes endocrine disrupting chemicals in feminine hygiene products

A new study in Environment International by Chong-Jing Gao and Kurunthachalam Kannan at Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, finds phthalates, bisphenols, parabens and triclocarban in feminine hygiene products from the US market. The authors tested 77 different products including pads, tampons, wipes and panty liners, but also bacterial creams, deodorant sprays and powders. The tests found 24 endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in menstruation products. Especially phthalates were frequently found in pads, panty liners and tampons. 90% of the products analyzed contained measureable concentrations of phthalates.

The authors of the study state that feminine hygiene products are an important source of the chemicals exposure in women.