I know this is an old topic, but, I want to see if we can get some more responses.
There is a ton of info about the Diva cup, Keeper and Instead, and there are a lot of coments about how bad disposable pads are but... I want more info on WHY disposable pads are bad. I am looking for specifics, facts, links or testimonials.
Wasn't there a thread on "feminine hygiene" or something that had something in there about the arsenic in pads (that makes you bleed more)? Sorry so vague...I had a link to a site, let's see if I can find it...
http://www.whynaturalpads.com/ is the site, but I don't think it was too specific. If I find something, I'll holler!
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Under the "Health and the Environment" tab: (It's quite lengthy, so I'll just briefly list the dangers):
Chlorine bleaching
Chlorine bleaching releases toxins into the environment, and will leave detectable residuals in the end product.
There are different types of chlorine bleaches used today in the paper and feminine hygiene industry. The main causes of dioxin pollution being Elemental chlorine (also called chlorine gas), as well as Elemental chlorine-free bleach. This bleach is not free of chlorine at all. The use of chlorine-free in this case means that it is not bleached using Elemental chlorine, called chlorine gas.
Dioxin pollution
Dioxins are some of the most deadly chemicals created. Classified as carcinogenic, (cause cancer) dioxins are found in pesticides, plastics, solvents, detergents and cosmetics. For over a decade, concerns have been raised about the impact of dioxins on our health with respect to heart and liver disease, hormonal disruption and cancer, to name but a few.
Dioxins, furans and PCB’s, which are generally referred to as dioxin-like compounds, are highly toxic organochlorines. These compounds are extremely fat seeking. There are some natural organochlorines in the atmosphere, but considerably greater amounts of artificially produced ones.
The production of dioxins in the manufacture of paper pulp products such as tampons and sanitary pads, are not only harmful to the environment, but also unnecessarily expose women to low levels of dioxins every time they use these products. Dioxin settles in the fat cells of our bodies and stay there for the rest of our lives, building up cumulatively over time from birth, so increased exposure means increased risk.
Pesticides
Pesticide use is widespread in the world and responsible for some of the more persistent dioxins and furans in the environment.
Agricultural pesticides have been linked to infertility, suicidal depression and the most horrific birth defects imaginable. A deadly circle, for among them – as among pesticides from Europe – are substances that can damage the eyes, skin, immune and glandular systems, cause heart disease, asthma and cancer, and – most insidious of all – harm human sperm and eggs, impair the minds and bodies of unborn babies, and cause miscarriages, stillbirths and infant deaths. Governments routinely approve of thousands of pesticides without ever undergoing any notable safety testing, and pesticide regulations also ignore the potential for genetic vulnerability.
Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers and are not only involved in fertility but in the growth and functioning of the brain and body. One of the pesticide industry’s bright ideas was to create chemicals that disrupt these endocrine messengers. Unfortunately, widely differing species use almost identical chemical messengers. So what disrupts a mosquito also damages larger creatures, including humans.
Preservatives
These are chemical substances used to kill the bacteria in foods and non-foods to prevent bacteria, moulds and fungus from making the product inedible and unusable.
The most commonly used preservatives are often a mix of compounds that are used together in cosmetics and commercial products such as shampoos, lotions, sunscreens, wet wipes, toothpaste, medicines, fabric softeners, cleaners and washing materials. Many of these preservatives release a toxic chemical called formaldehyde, which can also cause dermatitis. (Is that the source of our itching?)
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde has recently been declared a potential carcinogen. It is a chemical that is used in many products in our environment and some sources may be surprising because it is so widespread, even at low levels, that it is almost impossible to avoid in our daily lives. Formaldehyde is not only a sensitizer, but also a potent irritant. Frequent or prolonged exposure may cause hypersensitivity, leading to the development of dermatitis through contact with products containing formaldehyde in the form of preservatives, or clothing made from fabrics that have been treated with it.
Parabens
Dr Philippa Darbre and colleagues at the University of Reading carried out tests on samples of 20 different human breast tumours. Writing in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, they say they found traces of parabens in every sample. Their tests suggested the chemicals had seeped into the tissue after being applied to the skin. (2)
"This is the first study to show their accumulation in human tissues," said Dr Darbre. "It demonstrates that if people are exposed to these chemicals, then the chemicals will accumulate in their bodies."
In late 1998 John Sumpter's group at Brunel University, UK, published a paper identifying parabens as oestrogen mimics (Routledge et al., 1998). As mimics, this means that the chemicals act like the hormone oestrogen in the body, interfering with the body’s natural systems. The authors state:
"Given their use in a wide range of commercially available topical preparations, it is suggested that the safety in use of these chemicals should be reassessed, with particular attention being paid to estimation of the actual levels of systemic exposure of humans exposed to these chemicals. The acquisition of such data is a prerequisite to the derivation of reliable estimates of the possible human risk of exposure to parabens."
Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative added to cosmetics, ointments, eardrops and vaccines. It is commonly used in toiletries and wipes, even in some products that claim to be natural. The manufacturers of this chemical describe the toxicology of phenoxyethanol as: -
“Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. May cause reproductive defects. Severe eye and skin irritant. “
Some research that was conducted by S. Bohn, A. J. Bircher in 2001 (3) at the Allergy Unit of the Dept. of Dermatology at University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland, found some hypersensitivity to phenoxyethanol. Including urticaria, hand eczema as well as generalized eczema in an 18-month-old boy within 24 hours after receiving the DPT (diphtheria, pertussus, tetanus) vaccine. Whilst the researchers consider the reactions to be very rare, it brings into question the suitability of this chemical as an ingredient in products used on the skin of babies.
Imidazolidinyl urea
Imidazolidinyl urea is the second most identified cosmetic preservative causing contact dermatitis according to The American Academy of Dermatology.
Imidazolidinyl urea is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative used in many cosmetics, toiletries, lotions and pharmaceutical preparations and is often found in preparations labelled as ‘hypoallergenic’. However, if you have sensitivity to Imidazolidinyl urea, these products are far from hypoallergenic and should be avoided, as it will cause dermatitis. Try to avoid other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives also known by the following names: Quaternium-15, 2-bromo-2nitropropane-1,3-diol, diazolidinyl urea.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
SLS is commonly used in shampoos, hair conditioners and shower gels. It is a very harsh detergent used to make the products foam when used. SLS can cause irritation of the eyes, skin rashes and flaking skin, and possibly permanent damage to the eyes, especially in children.
Chemicals in body care
Propylene Glycol is a solvent used in cosmetics, hair care products, deodorants and after-shave. It is also the main ingredient in antifreeze and brake fluid and is considered to be a skin irritant causing dermatitis, especially in children.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), a related agent found in most skin cleansers, is a caustic used to dissolve grease and is the same substance found in oven cleaners.
Isopropyl Myristate , an alcohol used in hair rinses, hand lotions and fragrances, is also a solvent that dries the skin and hair, and creates cracks and fissures in the skin, which encourage bacterial growth.
Phthalates are a large family of industrial chemicals linked to birth defects in the male reproductive system. Hundreds of animal studies have demonstrated that phthalates can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system, especially the developing testes. Phthalates are used as a plastic softener and solvent in many different consumer products. They can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled as fumes, ingested when they contaminate food or when children bite or suck on plastic toys, and are inadvertently directly administered to patients from PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) medical devices.
Genetically modified cotton
The science of genetically modified crops is in its early stages and long-term outcome is not yet certain. However, many people choose not to consume genetically modified foods because they are worried about the possible negative health effects. Over 50% of the world’s cotton is genetically modified and, unless products state that they are made with certified organic cotton, then it is likely that they are made from genetically modified cotton.
Endangered forests
Most of the world’s wood pulp used to make paper products, which includes tampons, sanitary pads, toilet paper and newspapers, comes from forests that have been ravaged by large pulping companies.
Sanitary waste
Since 1985, the trend has been towards thinner sanitary pads using less wood-based pulp and increased use of synthetic super absorbents made from petroleum. Apertured plastic film is mostly used as a cover on sanitary pads and liners today, and is often called the " Dri-weave top sheet". In reality, it is simply just loaded polyethylene film - or plastic with holes in to you and me.
European and North American consumption of this type of sanitary pad is the highest in the world - more than a third of total worldwide consumption of 45 billion units - All eventually needing to be disposed of somewhere! Every year, in Britain alone, we would need to dig a hole 300 feet wide and 300 feet deep to bury the used sanitary pads and tampons that women throw away.
Despite the environmental pressures of the early 90's, sanitary protection is still being made from more and more plastic materials. There is, therefore, the need to raise consumer awareness about the proper disposal of these products. Most people are not even aware of the high loading of plastics in the products they use, and it does not help that manufacturers of these products are unwilling to print a full list of the materials they use on their packaging.
Disposal of used sanitary products is either by flushing out to sea, incineration, or depositing in landfill sites. Various pollutants, including dioxins, are continually deposited in the sea through sewage waste and air pollution from incinerators. This not only irreversibly damages and contaminates fish and other sea life; it inevitably results in human exposure to these toxins when we consume these plants and animals.
Most women are aware that flushing sanitary pads results in the contamination of our oceans, rivers, and many are prepared to dispose of their pads along with the domestic waste which is either incinerated or buried in landfill sites. Incineration is a major cause of pollution worldwide. However, the alternative of burying rubbish in the ground is not much of an improvement because the plastics used in sanitary pads and liners and tampon applicators do not biodegrade at all, and will remain in the environment unchanged for hundreds of years.
Irritation
When women develop irritation problems such as thrush, vaginitis or soreness, they are always advised by doctors and health specialists to wear cotton underwear, but without thinking, they are unwittingly continuing to use their usual brand of feminine hygiene made from loaded synthetics every month during their period. Women suffering from skin allergies, irritation, soreness and itching, may find their symptoms are worse during their period, due to the synthetic and plastic ingredients in most sanitary products. Many gynaecologists advise such women to change to all-cotton products in order to avoid the synthetics and chemicals commonly used in hygiene products. After making the change to Natracare organic cotton tampons and natural totally chlorine-free pads, many of these women have found relief from their symptoms.
Endometriosis
“Endometriosis is a hormonal and immune disease in which tissue like that found in the lining of the uterus, grows outside of the uterus in other parts of the body. Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of pelvic pain and can lead to infertility, hysterectomy, and increased risk of developing certain cancers. Dioxin is directly correlated with an increased incidence of endometriosis, according to a 1992 study (5) on rhesus monkeys exposed to TCDD for four years.
Toxic Shock Syndrome ( TSS)
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a rare but fatal disease caused by a particular type of bacteria that can produce toxins in the body. The symptoms of TSS come on fast and are often severe. Menstrual TSS has been linked to the use of super-absorbent and synthetics in tampons. (1)
This was from a site that sells Natracare feminine hygiene products, so know that they are biased.
There are several studies cited, though.
