A new study confirmed that glyphosate is present in period products at 40 times higher than the legal limit for drinking water. Conducted by PAN UK and Women’s Environmental Network, the study said that millions of women and girls could be at risk of exposure to glyphosate, which is linked to life-threatening illnesses.
When exposed to the chemical in period products, such as tampons, the chemical can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the body’s detoxification system—glyphosate is linked to cancer, dementia, fertility issues, and more.
“If this level of glyphosate is deemed to be unsafe in the water we drink, why is it allowed to appear in our period products?,” Amy Heley, from the Pesticide Collaboration, said. “Our investigation reveals that women, girls and those who menstruate may not be protected from exposure to harmful chemicals. And yet, most people remain completely unaware that this is even an issue.”
According to PAN UK, “research into how toxic chemicals in period products impact people’s health barely exists,” which brings about a “dangerous lack of awareness.”
“Half of the world’s population will have periods in their lifetime with the average person using 11,000 disposable period products. Yet research into how toxic chemicals in period products impact people’s health barely exists, which is why this new study by PAN UK and Wen is so important.”
PAN said that megabrands aren’t being held accountable through rules or regulations so even metals like lead and arsenic have been found in tampons, the study confirmed.
“But if period product megabrands are forced to disclose the nasty chemicals in their products, they’ll have to look for alternatives to the cotton they use that’s laced with glyphosate.”
Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide, but has been categorized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
While the authors of the study “suggested a regulation scheme with a testing process in place to ensure period products are pesticide-free,” the UK government has no set plans to address chemicals in period product even with studies that back the impacts on women’s health.
“Enough is enough. Now is the time to ramp up the pressure on the UK government to introduce regulation and testing of period products, force companies to list their chemicals so that everyone can make an informed choice about their bodies and their health, and make safe period products accessible to all.”
For more information or to sign the petition, Get toxic chemicals out of period products!, click here.
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