Toxins in Tampons

This one blew my mind a little, mostly because I overlooked it for so long.  We know over 90% of our cotton is genetically modified so Toxins in Tampons  it can withstand being doused in glyphosate. (A known carcinogenic weed killer). We know everything you put on or in your body ends up in your bloodstream. So why do we not discuss tampons?

I am aware organic cotton has its benefits and my kids sleep on organic cotton sheets. They wear a lot of organic cotton clothing, partly due to my fond addiction to Hanna Anderson clothing. We own plenty that is not organic and I do not worry about it. Then again, clothing is not being inserted INTO your body. The vaginal membrane has shown to be more absorptive of medicine and other materials than any other part of the body. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15385078

Are all ingredients disclosed?

Tampons are considered a “medical device” which means all ingredients do not need to be entirely disclosed.  The word fragrance itself can contain any number of over 3,400 chemicals, many of which are toxic. Although the bleaching process has changed over the years and dioxin are said not to be a factor-in recent studies they have been found in more than half of the tampons/sanitary napkins tested. So why worry about Dioxin? It is a toxic chlorine compound linked to cancer.

Some studies conducted to decide if these ingredients are safe most are paid for by the companies themselves. Information to consider. In addition the consensus is that in small amounts these ingredients are deemed to pose no health risk. Unfortunately for woman, they tampons for several days a month for many years.

Toxins are cumulative in the body.  It is likely very true that using non organic tampons one month or year is not going to destroy your health. However the average woman menstruates for 30-40 years.   That is an estimated 12,000 tampons. Since we have not been using the same pesticides for 40 years we have no way of obtaining a study on the safety of non-organic tampons over a lifetime.  The FDA currently has no plans to fund any studies on the safety of tampons.

Solutions?

This is one item that has been swapped out for organic in my house.  This post has been written a few months waiting to be used. Recently I stumbled upon a new company called Lola. I watched their intro video and loved that they are a company started by two women looking to share a better product-much like The Chemical Free Me is. You can subscribe and even personalize what size tampons you want in your box each month. You can easily skip months or set it for every other month. You can add liners of the size you need as well.  All organic cotton-nothing else! Brilliant!

Read their about us below and visit their website and find yourself a safer set of feminine products –while supporting a small business.  https://www.mylola.com

We met in the summer 2014, introduced by friends who had a hunch we’d hit it off. They were right. Jordana was in grad school, working on the early concept that would become LOLA, while Alex was at a tech startup. After a drink or two, Jordana asked Alex, “Have you ever wondered what’s in a tampon?” Turns out, she hadn’t.

That small question sparked a big idea – could we create an organic tampon and a brand that was completely transparent with customers about the ingredients in its products? After all, if we care about the ingredients in everything from our food to our face cream, why should our feminine care be any different?

Toxins in Tampons


 

Antibacterial Soap Toxins

Antibacterial Soap Toxins are Worse Than You May Think

Summer is winding down, which leads us to fall and back to school.  Back to school advertising and products seem to be aimed at fighting germs. It is inevitable when putting groups of kids in a classroom, children are bound to get sick. Enter the antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizers and soaps.Antibacterial Soap Toxins

No one wants to be sick, so you hit Target and stock up…but are you keeping yourself and your children healthy? Your skin is your body’s largest organ and it absorbs everything we put ON it as well as IN it.  What does that mean for us when using antibacterial soap?  75% of liquid soaps and 30% of bar soaps contain Triclosan.

What is Tricolsan?

Tricolsan is a chemical that studies have shown actually promotes the growth of bacteria resistance.  Bacteria resistance means it is more difficult for our current antibiotics to do their job when needed. One study showed 80% of people tested had urine that contained Triclosan.

Does it Get Worse?

In addition, Triclosan creates a toxin by the name of Dioxin.  Dioxins are known to disrupt thyroid, the endocrine system, and are labeled as a human carcinogen.   These problems can lead to infertility, artificially advanced early puberty, obesity and cancer.  Children with prolonged exposure have shown to have a higher chance of developing allergies and hay fever as well. Washing your hands or your body with these daily adds up to a lot of toxin exposure we can avoid easily. Triclosan is also toxic to aquatic life, so help our environment by not washing it down the drain.

Can it be avoided?

What’s the solution? The solution is easy. You CAN buy safer hand soaps that do not contain Triclosan.  Studies have shown that scrubbing with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds is as effective at removing dirt and bacteria without toxic consequences. (Children can be taught to sing the song happy birthday 2x for timing purposes).

EWG safer soap options: Safer Soap Options

Other places you may find Triclosan: Toys, clothing, kitchenware, furniture, body washes, toothpastes, and some cosmetics.

For more information regarding common toxins in your products, view our free toxin checklist: Checklist