Forever chemicals linked to cancer and infertility now found in products used by 30million Americans
Notre Dame researchers tested nearly 60 pairs of period underwear, pads and cups for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), toxic chemicals that have been linked to cancer, infertility and birth defects.
They earned the name because they don't break down in the body, instead leeching from nonstick cookware into food and cosmetic products into skin and building up in vital organs, increasing the risk of organ failure, reproductive complications and some forms of cancer.
After analyzing over 300 samples taken from 59 reusable menstrual products, the researchers found 70 percent contained traces of PFAS, though they were low enough to suggest they were not added intentionally.
Of those, 33 percent of period underwear and 25 percent of pads had the greatest rates of 'intentional fluorination,' meaning the chemicals were purposely added to wick moisture away and coat the surfaces.
Because a majority of companies manufacturing reusable feminine hygiene products did not add PFAS intentionally, 'PFAS must not be essential' in creating them, the researchers said.
The team believes PFAS in reusable period products can enter the body through direct contact with the skin and previous studies have suggested skin absorption could be a significant pathway to exposure to certain PFAS.
The researchers hope the new study will discourage the use of PFAS in reusable feminine hygiene products like menstrual cups and underwear and increase ingredient transparency for one in five US women who use them.
Graham Peaslee, study author and physicist at the University of Notre Dame, said: 'The reusable menstrual product market is a rapidly growing market, which relies heavily on the idea that these products are environmentally conscious because of the significant reduction in the use of paper and plastic products.
'To the extent that they use organic textiles, these products are also marketed to consumers who are typically health and environmentally conscious. However, we found that almost a third of them were being made with PFAS.
'This means these products are both a risk to the wearer as well as to the rest of us when they are eventually disposed of, since we know that these forever chemicals persist when they end up in landfills, contaminating irrigation and drinking water systems for all of us.'
The new study builds on Peaslee's earlier research, which detected PFAS in period products, fast food wrappers and cosmetics.
PFAS are thought to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals, meaning they imitate the body's hormones and interfere with the production of - and response to - natural hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
This increases the risk of developing hormone-sensitive cancers like breast and ovarian cancer.
The study, published Tuesday in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, tested 59 reusable menstrual products manufactured in North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
These consisted of 43 pairs of period underwear, eight reusable pads, four menstrual cups, three pairs of reusable incontinence underwear and one reusable incontinence pad.
Because these products have multiple layers, 323 samples were taken in total.
Using particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy - which detects the presence of certain elements in surfaces - the team found 71 percent had PFAS concentrations low enough to be characterized as 'non-intentionally fluorinated,' meaning they were not purposely added.
However, 33 percent of period underwear and 25 percent of reusable pads had 'intentional fluoridation,' suggesting PFAS was added on purpose.
Even with the new study, Peaslee said: 'There's still a lot we don't know about the extent to which PFAS are being used in the manufacturing of these products, and too much we don't know about the potential for these chemicals to be absorbed through the skin by the consumers who wear them.'
However, the results show because most products have low levels of PFAS, the chemicals 'must not be essential in the manufacture of reusable feminine hygiene products,' lead study author Alyssa Wicks, a graduate student at the University of Notre Dame, said.
She added: 'This is good news in that it demonstrates PFAS are not required to produce these environmentally conscious products, and manufacturers should be able to make these textile products without chemicals of concern in them.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
42 minutes ago
- BBC News
Grimsby hospital memorial garden opens after £20k fundraiser
A new garden in memory of a patient who died of cancer has opened following a £20,000 Clarke was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2020 and spent time in the Amethyst Ward at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby before he died at the age of 50 in February family and friends organised a fundraising day before his death and it was Mr Clarke's wish for the money to be put towards transforming the ward's friend Emma Wright said they wanted to create a "nice sanctuary" for patients and their families that would be "somewhere to reflect". Mr Clarke spent a lot of time in the Amethyst Ward's garden – a place Ms Wright described as "dilapidated" and "really overgrown"."It was unloved and uncared for, it really did make it a miserable place," she added.A total of £20,000 was raised from a fundraising day in Mr Clarke's memory and events like the London Marathon and National Three garden's revamp includes a new accessible path, a shelter, children's play equipment and a chalk Health Tree Foundation also helped with two garden murals - one of Grimsby's Dock Tower and one of Pier 39, one of Mr Clarke's favourite places. Ms Wright said the garden had a rainbow theme to symbolise optimism and bring "tranquillity and happiness" to the area. She described Mr Clarke as a "big, larger-than-life character who was very social and always telling a joke".She added: "I'm hoping people will sit in the garden and enjoy the space, what it brings to them and a few peaceful moments away from what they're going through." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
What the smell of your BREATH says about you, according to science
From the ridges on your fingernails to the colour of your tongue, there are plenty of signs that something might be wrong with your health. Now, an expert has revealed the smell of your breath is something to keep an eye on, too. Many might assume that bad breath – also known as halitosis – is the result of poor teeth cleaning or drinking too much coffee. However, research suggests breath odour may be an early warning sign of systemic health issues. Certain scents could indicate diabetes, while others could point to liver dysfunction. 'Your breath can offer a surprising window into your health,' dental technologist Allen Zhang said. He said there are five commonly overlooked types of breath that could signal a health issue. So, do you recognise any of them? FRUITY OR ACETONE-LIKE This odour could indicate poorly-controlled diabetes, Mr Zhang explained. Research suggests that fruity-smelling breath can be a sign of high ketone levels in the blood, which can occur in individuals with the condition. Those affected might have breath that smells like pear drop sweets or nail polish remover. METALLIC This smell could suggest someone is suffering from kidney dysfunction or heavy metal exposure. This symptom arises when the kidneys are unable to effectively remove waste from the body – including urea, which forms ammonia when mixed with saliva. The presence of ammonia in breath can sometimes be perceived as having a metallic tinge. FISHY A fishy-smelling breath could indicate a condition called trimethylaminuria, Mr Zhang said. This is a metabolic disorder where the body cannot break down trimethylamine, a compound that smells like rotten fish. Fishy breath can also be a symptom of liver problems, specifically related to a condition called fetor hepaticus. Fetor hepaticus, often described as 'breath of the dead', arises when the liver is unable to properly filter certain toxins from the blood. These toxins, like dimethyl sulphide, can build up in the blood and be exhaled, causing the characteristic odour. Breath that smells sulphurous or like rotten eggs, can be an indicator of gastrointestinal issues. The smell is called by hydrogen sulphide gas, which can be produced during digestion. MUSTY Finally, musty breath could mean there is something wrong with your kidneys or be a sign of liver failure. 'These are diagnostic clues and not just hygiene red flags,' Mr Zhang said. 'New tech is emerging to help clinicians detect disease risk via oral biosignatures, including volatile sulphur compounds and ketones in the breath.' Mr Zhang is the founder of ProDENT, a company developing intraoral imaging solutions for early detection. CAUSES OF BAD BREATH (HALITOSIS) There are a number of possible causes of halitosis: Poor oral hygiene This is the most common cause. Bacteria that build up on your teeth – particularly between them – as well as your tongue and gums, can produce unpleasant-smelling gases. These bacteria are also responsible for gum disease and tooth decay. Food and drink Eating strongly flavoured foods, such as garlic, onions and spices, is likely to make your breath smell. Strong-smelling drinks, such as coffee and alcohol, can also cause bad breath. Bad breath caused by food and drink is usually temporary. Good dental hygiene will also help. Smoking As well as making your breath smell, smoking stains your teeth, irritates your gums, and reduces your sense of taste. It can also significantly affect the development of gum disease, another major cause of bad breath. Crash dieting Crash dieting, fasting, and low-carbohydrate diets are another possible cause of bad breath. They cause the body to break down fat, which produces chemicals called ketones that can be smelled on your breath. Medication These include: nitrates – these are sometimes used to treat angina; some chemotherapy medication; and tranquillisers (phenothiazines). If the medication you're taking is causing bad breath, your GP may be able to recommend an alternative. Medical conditions In rare cases, bad breath can be caused by certain medical conditions. In dry mouth (xerostomia), the flow and composition of saliva may be affected. Dry mouth can sometimes be caused by a problem in the salivary glands or by breathing through your mouth instead of your nose. In some cases, gastrointestinal conditions can also cause bad breath. For example, a bacterial infection of the stomach lining and small intestine (H. pylori infection) and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) have been linked to bad breath. Other medical conditions that can cause bad breath include diabetes and lung, throat, or nose infections – for example, bronchiectasis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, and sinusitis.
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
This killer of men can no longer be ignored
In medical circles, prostate cancer is often known as 'the invisible killer'. Its early symptoms are hard to detect and it may remain undiagnosed until too late. Some 10,000 men a year are diagnosed with prostate cancer only after at least three visits to their GP. And every year, some 12,000 lives are cut short unnecessarily by the failure to treat this hidden menace before it has spread beyond the prostate gland. So The Telegraph is proud to announce a new campaign calling for a targeted National Health Service screening programme for prostate cancer. It is nothing short of a scandal that such a programme does not already exist. We ardently hope that you, our readers, will join us in a mission to right this wrong and thereby save, over time, many thousands of lives. The importance of early detection and diagnosis has been demonstrated by the huge improvement in survival rates for breast cancer since mass screening for women aged 50-70 was introduced by the NHS in 1988. Since then, it has reduced deaths from breast cancer by at least 20 per cent. The NHS is now extending breast screening to women in their 40s and 70s. Yet there is still no equivalent mass programme for prostate cancer, which is the most common form of cancer for men and the second biggest killer. Middle-aged men are notoriously reluctant to visit the doctor. Prostate cancer presents a particular problem, because patients are embarrassed and may have unjustified fears that a medical examination would be unpleasant. A mass screening programme would help to remove the myths and stigma. The reality is that PSA blood tests — which are simple, cheap and painless — should be routinely offered to patients who are at risk of prostate cancer, especially if they have a family history of the disease. Yet in reality many GPs seem reluctant to do so: more than 5 per cent of prostate sufferers had to make five surgery visits before being offered a PSA test. The answer to this injustice is to roll out a national screening programme, as Prostate Cancer Research and many experts have long advocated. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, has lent his support to the Telegraph campaign, but the decision lies with the UK National Screening Committee. We can only hope that its members recognise the overwhelming body of evidence in favour of screening for prostate cancer. The Telegraph will play its part in making sure that the invisible killer can no longer be ignored.
