Per- and Polyfluorinated Compounds in Menstrual Products and its Relationship with Natural Labeling

Abstract

Per- and Polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” gain their name from their persistence in both the environment and the human body. From pots to drinking water to period products/menstrual products, PFAS are found in seemingly every product both in and out of markets, yet PFAS in period products is of particular interest within this study due to its potential for harm. Due to the permeability of the vaginal mucosa and the misleading labeling of packaging, numerous people are being exposed to these compounds unknowingly, and thus their large range of potential side effects. Alongside the lack transparency within the composition of period products and the unknowing addition of PFAS through manufacturing and a lack of oversight, labels like “natural” and “non-toxic” lose their meaning. This study is performed to heighten awareness to this issue to potentially promote change in both transparency policy with “medical devices” and consumer/brand awareness of their products. This study attempts to show the lack of relationship between labeling and PFAS detection in menstrual products through an analysis of data from a Mamvation study alongside product listings on common consumer sites.  By showing the lack of relationship, this study helps initiate an important discussion that can be used to spur change within accepted systems (such as United States policy on labeling and a lack of transparency and knowledge of product production chains behind brand names.