Plastic and Toxins

The average period product is loaded with plastic. With over 45 billion menstrual products used every year. Did you know that a pack of conventional pads contains up to five plastic bags worth of plastic? Plus perfumes, chlorine, dyes, pesticides, and feminine products!

Plastic wet wipes are frequently flushed as well as tampons and even pads! Period products are the fifth most common item found washed up on Europe’s beaches, with 3.9 million flushed down the loo every single day in the UK alone. Incorrectly flushed or thrown away items are found polluting the coastlines across the world.

The Law

Do you know that feminine hygiene products brands aren’t required by law to disclose materials in their pads? 

Tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and discs are considered medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not subject to ingredient labeling under federal law. 

There is a significant lack of consumer protection laws regarding feminine hygiene products. Only two states have such laws, and they’re not even in effect yet. New York State is the first state currently working on a law to require disclosure of the material. 

• California has enacted new laws that require expanded ingredient disclosure for feminine hygiene products, including period underwear. As of Jan 1st, 2023, The Menstrual Products Right to Know Act of 2020. (AB 1989) mandates that menstrual products sold in California must clearly and conspicuously list all ingredients used. However, this law only focuses on “intentionally added” ingredients and does not cover contaminants.

• New York has a similar law as of 2021, focusing on “intentionally added” ingredients. The Menstrual Products Right To Know Act (S2387B), championed by New York State Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal and signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, forces brands to print a simple list of ingredients on all menstrual products.

• Federally, in September 2022, the Menstrual Products Right To Know Act of 2022 (H.R.8829) was introduced to the house, but as of the current date of writing (March 2023), there has been no progress on the bill.

Note: Since I am located in California I can disclose to you all the ingredients listed on that packaging thanks to the local law!! 

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In August 2014 Women’s Voices for the Earth commissioned testing on menstrual pads. The certified laboratory STAT Analysis Corporation analyzed the products for the volatile organic compound. The results of the testing indicate that both scented and unscented pads emit toxic chemicals, including chemicals identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the State of California Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens, and reproductive and developmental toxins. None of these chemicals are disclosed on the product by the manufacturer.​

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Why natural and safer feminine products?

🍃Have you ever had vaginal irritation, such as candida or other skin rashes? Many times they could be caused by toxic products such as conventional lubricants, pads or tampons, and even toilet paper. Elevated levels of toxic chemicals are found in menstrual pads. Choose products that are Certified Organic and toilette paper that are unbleached and fragrance-free to avoid skin reactions.

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🍃According to Dr. Maggie Ney: ” Most cotton tampons—at least 85%, certainly any cotton that is not organic—contain glyphosate, which is problematic because it is a known cancer-causing agent. In fact, the World Health Organization recently ruled it as “probably carcinogenic.” The vagina is a highly permeable space: Anything we put inside can easily be absorbed through the mucous membrane and then into our bloodstream where it presents a toxic burden to the body.”

🌸 Celebrity OB-GYN Sherry Ross: “I have always told my patients we need to take care of our vulva and vagina like we do our face, using special cleaning, hydrating, and moisturizing products for this sensitive and temperamental area of our body.” 

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Conventional Pads

❌Conventional pads contain perfumes, chlorine, dyes,  pesticides, resorcinol, plastic materials like polypropylene, and super absorbent polymers (SAPs). These materials are cheap and they are polluting the planet and are harmful to your health.

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• Super-absorbent polymers (SAPs): Super-absorbent material (made from petroleum) is used to prevent leakages and absorb moisture.  

• Resorcinol: is an ingredient found in some adhesives. Linked to thyroid disruption and is a chemical of concern. 

• Plastic: The average period product is loaded with plastic. With over 45 billion menstrual products used every year. Did you know that a pack of conventional pads contains up to five plastic bags worth of plastic? Plastic wet wipes are frequently flushed as well as tampons and even pads! In fact, period products are the fifth most common item found washed up on Europe’s beaches, with 3.9 million flushed down the loo every single day in the UK alone. Incorrectly flushed or thrown away items are found polluting the coastlines across the world.

❌ Chlorine-bleached: Conventional Pads are made with chlorine-bleached materials, latex, plastic, and super absorbents made from petrochemicals. Typically contain the following ingredients and materials:

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❌Fragrance in conventional pads: Fun fact, menstrual blood does not actually have an odor, let alone a foul one. The strong smell in conventional disposable pads is when the blood touches the chemicals inside the disposable pad and creates a chemical reaction. This is why disposable pads are full of fragrances, it’s by design to try and mask the offensive odor.

❌Syntheic material: Many rayon-blend tampons have a plastic veil to prevent fiber loss, and they can also have added perfume or dyes which is totally unnecessary for managing your period.

Conventional Pads typically contain the following ingredients and materials:​

• ❌Wood pulp (contributing to deforestation if uncertified and chlorine-bleached)

• ❌ Super absorbent polymers SAPs (made from crude oil and can lead to skin irritation)

• ❌ Latex (to make the wings on a pad flexible)

• ❌ Chlorine Bleaching process: used in pads, tampons, and baby diapers, and also for things like toilet paper.

• ❌ Plastic packaging and plastic-based cover

• ❌ Herbicides or Pesticide sprayed GMOs-cotton. 

• ❌ Rayon or Viscose

• ❌ Perfume and dyes

• ❌ Hidden wadding

• ❌ Glue 

• ❌ Dioxin

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Greenwashing Pads

Greenwashing is a brand that pretends to be organic, natural, eco-friendly, and green when it is not. They will use misleading marketing tactics to convince you to buy their products!

❌ Synthetic material: such as Polyethylene, polyester, or fiber finish (Security veil), to their organic cotton. You want to pick only 100% organic cotton.

❌ Elemental Chlorine-Free (ECF): This bleaching method still uses chlorine. You can learn more here.

There are 2 methods to whiten pads, tampons, and baby diapers, and also for things like toilet paper.

Elemental Chlorine Free uses a compound called chlorine dioxide to achieve bleaching and produces only trace amounts of the toxic pollutant. It is still unclear whether those trace amounts are harmful to the environment or not. 

❌ Super-absorbent polymers (SAPs): Super-absorbent material (made from petroleum) is used to prevent leakages and absorb moisture. These materials are effective and cheap but they are harmful to the planet and our health. 

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Approved Organic Pads

🍃The best organic pads are made with 100% GOTS & ICEA sustainable organic cotton – absorbent core and cover. Organic cotton from sustainable farmers. Made with 100% Certified Organic Cotton and no other synthetic material blend.

100% certified organic cotton protects our oceans, our soil, and cotton workers.

✅ Organic Cotton: Organic cotton is better since it is made without toxic chemicals so you can keep your vagina free from pesticide residues, plastic or toxic residuals, or rayon found in conventional cotton. 100% organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or GMOs and goes through a non-toxic cleansing process that uses oxygen instead of chlorine bleach. Certified organic tampons do not contain titanium dioxide. 100% Certified organic cotton tampons are free of synthetic fibers, chemical additives, fragrances, dyes, chlorine bleach, GMOs, pesticides, toxins, latex, and formaldehyde.

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✅ Biodegradable packaging: Pick compostable packaging 

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✅ Totally Chlorine-Free Whitening Method (TCF): It is the safest whitening option. You can learn more here.

Totally Chlorine Free bleaching is completely chlorine-free! Instead of elemental chlorine or chlorine dioxide, TCF bleaching uses oxygen-based agents or hydrogen peroxide. That means it completely eliminates dioxin pollutants making it safe for the environment and for you. The process reduces the total amount of waste, requires less energy, and consumes less water. This method is much more complex (and therefore expensive) than the ECF method.

Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) process ensures that products are always 100% free of chlorine, without any chlorine compounds, so you can feel good about using them.

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🍃The Best Pads:

• ✅ 100% GOTS & ICEA Certified organic cotton 

• ✅ Totally Chlorine-Free Whitening Method

• ✅ Compostable, Biodegradable cardboard applicators or applicator-free

• ✅ Recycled cardboard packaging

• ✅ Hypoallergenic

• ✅ Plastic-free

• ✅ Zero Waste Packaging

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🍃Here you will find only organic pads and liners made from sustainable natural materials, which are soft, breathable, and biodegradable. Only organic pads made with nothing more than 100% organic cotton and no additives. It is important to change them once saturated to avoid natural bacteria odor build-up. Choosing plastic-free pads lets the delicate skin breathe and cuts out plastic pollution.

Natural materials such as 100% certified organic cotton protect our oceans, our soil, and cotton workers.

The Organic pads and panty liners listed on this page are made with home-compostable plant-based plastic made from renewable materials.

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Choose safer products and reduce your plastic footprint with

• Menstrual cups 

• Organic pads

• Organic tampons

• Organic Wipes 

• Period Underwear

• Bladder Control

• Organic Feminine Wash

• Bidets

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I listed below all the Best and Approved Organic Pad brands on the market!

🌿My top 2 brand recommendations are both Certified Organic and Totally Chlorine Free:

• Tampon Tribe:  10% promo code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL

• Natracare

Shop with my links to support my research 💖