Reusable feminine hygiene products contain 'eternal pollutants,' study finds

Even more eco-friendly feminine hygiene products are not exempt from problematic substances. Reusable products like menstrual panties or cups may contain PFAS, the so-called "eternal pollutants," according to a pilot study conducted by American researchers and published this Tuesday, July 22.

Non-disposable protections " remain in contact with the skin for long periods, and the risks associated with skin absorption of PFAS are still poorly understood," says Marta Venier, associate professor at Indiana University and lead author of the article published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters .

This is a concern as the market for these products grows. "As reusable products become increasingly popular due to their durability compared to single-use products, it is essential to ensure that these products are safe. This is especially important for teenage girls and young women, who are more vulnerable to potentially harmful health effects," the chemist said.

She and her team tested 59 reusable personal hygiene products from North America, South America, and Europe: menstrual panties , reusable sanitary pads, menstrual cups, and reusable underwear or incontinence pads. In nearly 30% of the samples, they detected levels of PFAS high enough that their inclusion was intentional on the part of the manufacturers.

Several factors explain the use of these substances, which help prevent leaks or make textiles stain-resistant, the authors suggest. But at least one sample per category did not intentionally contain them, which "clearly shows that PFAS are not essential components of these products," the study notes.

Washing textiles containing PFAS results in their release into wastewater systems, the authors point out. At the end of their life, these products can end up in landfills, which constitutes another pathway for their release into the environment.

However, these per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, present in a number of objects and products , are virtually indestructible. They accumulate over time in the air, soil, water, food and, ultimately, in the human body , particularly in the blood and kidney or liver tissue. While knowledge of the health risks associated with the various PFAs is fragmentary, according to health authorities, harmful effects on human metabolism have been identified for several "eternal pollutants".