Disadvantages of using traditional sanitary pads

Did you know that most sanitary pads (and tampons) are made or bleached with chlorine compounds that contain trace of the organochlorine – dioxin. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named dioxin the most potent carcinogen known to science. A 1996 EPA study linked dioxin exposure with increased risks for endometriosis (an infection of the uterine lining). The EPA has also concluded that people with high exposure to dioxins may be risk for other effects that could suppress the immune system, increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, reduce fertility, and possibly interfere with normal fetal and childhood development. In overseas test, sanitary pads have been found to contain 400 parts per trillion (ppt) dioxin. Although the paper industry has maintained that such levels are too low to cause any health problems, studies have shown that dioxin appears to migrate easily out of paper products. Fish and other wildlife have died after exposure to the incredibly small dose of 38 parts per quadrillion dioxin. The average women use approximately 15,000 pads over the course of her lifetime. The effect of continual exposure to dioxin, which is forever stored in fat cells, may become cumulative and deadly.

MANUFACTURED WITH LOTS OF CHEMICALS To make a sanitary pad, wood pulp fibers are first dispersed in water in large tub. Most of the chemicals and dyes required are added at this stage (The pulp is then scraped and brushed and inserted with air to make fleecy. Some pads contain added rayon, which also originates from wood, for extra absorbency. The cellulose in the wood is dissolved in a caustic solution, and squirted into fine jets in an acid bath (The mixture then solidifies and dries into longer fibers). Chemical processes included de-linking recycled material, washing with detergents and bleaching. (As a result, some traces of chemical used remain in the pad). Additives are also used to enhance the properties of the pad. These include absorbency agents and wet-strength agent – often, polysorbate and area formaldehyde. Further bleaching, involving chorine, may take place to achieve that growing white look. WHAT YOU CAN SEE That’s the part you can’t see. But even the external parts on a sanitary pad that you can see are all not natural. The plastic bottom – to prevent leakage – will usually be made of polypropylene or rayon. The non-woven fabric covering on the pad is a lightweight material which is often polypropylene or rayon. The back has 1 or 2 strips of pressure-sensitive adhesive covered with a strip of siliconised compound paper. (The pads are then packaged in plastic bags or shrinkwrapped. And the packet itself may be printed with patterns – again, a chemical process.) FULL OF BACTERIA Sanitary pads can also harbor bacteria as they are not sterilized products. In 1987, CAP’s test of some popular brands sold here (Penang, Malaysia) found unacceptably high bacterial counts of up to 11,000 (over 10 times the international safety standard). This could lead to vaginal infection in women using the pads. Sanitary products, like pads, can also be placed on the market without prior evidence of safety or efficacy, even in developed countries. In Canada for example, tongue depressors, bandages and dental floss are all considered medical devices, but not women menstrual pads! Women are an all too easy target because they are bound by biology to menstruate for at least 35 years. Women are thus a captive market – and potentially easy victims of numerous types of sanitary pad (and tampon) trauma. COMMON MISTAKES IN THE USE OF SANITARY NAPKINS 1. Not washing your hands clean before handling a new sanitary napkin. In the process of opening, flattening and putting on a sanitary napkin, the hands may bring many bacteria onto the sanitary napkin. 2. Keeping the sanitary napkins in the wash room. Most of the washrooms are dark and wet and bacteria growth can easily contaminate the sanitary napkins. 3. Not paying attention to the expiry date: In fact, the requirements for hygienic standard of sanitary napkin are very strict and the sanitary napkin is of poorer quality if it is closer to the expiry date. 4. Buying sanitary napkins on promotion: Generally, promotional or gift items are mostly slow moving goods which may have involved raw materials of poorer quality, less stringent test requirements, longer storage periods etc and thus their quality could not be assured. 5. Using products on trial: There are always new brands, new products, new materials and new concepts of sanitary napkins in the market and with aggressive promotion, consumers may be attracted into using them. For example, there is the popular sanitary napkin with dry net surface but many women with sensitive skin have complained of rashes and itchiness after use. Relying on reliable manufacturer, reliable shop, good reputation and one’s own experience is still the most basic principle of common sense in choosing appropriate sanitary napkins. 6. Using sanitary napkins with medication or fragrance: Most doctors would not recommend such products because the medication and fragrance may have undesirable effects on the body. 7. Using each sanitary napkin for a longer time: For women in Asia, the number of sanitary napkins used for each menstruation is apparently lower as compared with women in Europe and America. Saving money in this way at the expense of one’s own health is definitely not wise. It is best to change sanitary napkins every two hours. 8. Preferring to have high absorption: It is wrong to look for sanitary napkins with high absorption in the hope that sanitary napkins need not be changed frequently. This would lead to growth of more bacteria.

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