For an organic option that’s both healthier and fragrance free, look for BPA-free applicators made with sustainable cotton that offers various absorbency levels to fit your flow.
Regular tampons contain various materials, including rayon. This synthetic fiber made from wood pulp has been known to cause tissue sensitization syndrome (TSS), an uncommon side effect associated with tampon use that includes high fever, vomiting and rash. Research indicates that changing them every four to eight hours and not leaving them in overnight can lower your risk for TSS.
Pesticides
Many women today are opting to use menstrual products free from bleach, pesticides and other chemicals – including organic unbleached tampons and pads from Seventh Generation or Natracare; organic, unbleached reusable cloth pads; period underwear that doesn’t contain dyes and pesticides as well as silicone/natural rubber cups such as the DivaCup and Keeper (for example).
Regular tampons contain cores composed of either cotton or rayon, a semi-synthetic fibre made from wood pulp. Tampons may be bleached using elemental chlorine gas; however, nowadays this process usually utilizes chlorine dioxide – this information will typically be listed on their packaging.
Tampons are typically constructed from polyester or plastic materials; plastic may contain bisphenol A or phthalates which have been linked with hormone disruption in humans and animals, while conventional models contain “fragrance,” which could contain any number of secret chemical formulas which cause skin irritation, itching and allergies; to find products without these elements look for those which are fragrance-free with BPA-free applicators.
Dioxin
Most women don’t give much thought to the tampons they use, but they should. Tampons contain numerous toxic chemicals which come into direct contact with sensitive vaginal tissue and research has indicated that those containing pesticide residue can contain dangerous levels of dioxin pollution.
FDA-cleared tampons can be constructed from cotton, rayon or both materials, using either elemental chlorine to bleach wood pulp to produce rayon. While the manufacturing process once resulted in dioxin emissions, current manufacturing techniques have substantially decreased this number to an allegedly safe level.
Researchers conducted tests to detect dioxins by placing tampons coated with orange dye into glasses of water and watching as they absorbed and released trace amounts of dioxin, increasing its levels in the water with each used tampon – low doses can lead to reproductive and immune system issues as well.
Titanium Dioxide
No one disputes that many of us are concerned with the chemicals used to grow and manufacture our tampons, as those same chemicals contaminate both water and soil, harming animals, plants and eventually humans too. Of particular note is dioxin; an environmental pollutant which has been linked with endocrine disruption and cancer.
Organic cotton tampons such as those carried at Joni don’t contain dioxin or any other potentially hazardous materials; their certification by OEKO-TEX and USDA Organic seal provides proof of that.
Titanium dioxide, found in many products like sunscreen, is another concern of many women. Unfortunately, titanium dioxide nanoparticles can penetrate skin layers and affect hormone regulation; though we generally squirt a little into our mouths twice daily without issue; some fear it might be dangerous when applied directly to vaginal areas – though studies have not proven any adverse long-term consequences associated with low levels of titanium dioxide usage.
Heavy Metals
Researchers conducted a small pilot study and discovered metals such as arsenic and lead in tampons used by millions of women every month, raising new concerns over chemicals found in menstrual products like tampons. Vaginal tissue is porous; should any harmful chemicals leak out and into bloodstream via vaginal permeability, they could cause many health issues, including hormone disruption and infertility, according to research.
The study tested for 16 metals across 30 tampons from 14 brands and 18 product lines purchased across 14 US, UK and Greek regions (US, UK & Greece). Results varied depending on whether cardboard or plastic applicators were present on each tampon as well as brand and absorbency characteristics of its brand tampons (including store brands).
UC Berkeley team believes metals may get into tampons through contaminated cotton or through intentional addition during manufacturing to whiten and act as antibacterial agents; however, according to Center for Baby and Adult Hygiene Products’ policies it is not allowed to intentionally add them during production.
