22 Toxic Substances Found in Disposable Menstruation Pads on the Market Including carcinogenic substances, reproductive toxicants and skin irritants.

1. 22 Toxic Substances Found in Disposable Menstruation
Pads on the Market
Including carcinogenic substances, reproductive toxicants and skin
irritants.
Outline
In March 2017, the Korea Women’s Environmental Network (KWEN) revealed the results of a study on
disposable menstruation pads. Ten different menstruation pads were studied, including pads from various
manufacturers with the highest production rates as of 2015, and pads that had added scents. A detection
experiment on P&G’s ‘Always’ menstruation pads that had been conducted in 2014 by a US non-profit
organization, ‘Women’s Voices for the Earth’, was referred to.
On the basis of the results from the detection experiment, the KWEN held a debate on “Menstruation
Products for Women’s Health”. Environmental health experts, feminists, companies in relation to
menstruation pads and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety participated in this debate.
Experiment Method
Menstruation pads were put into a chamber at 36.5 degrees Celsius, similar to body temperature. After three
hours, they were taken out and tested for toxic substances. (Test method ISO16000-6, TO-15). The research
was executed by the life environment laboratory (Professor Man Gu Kim, co representative of Green Future)
at the Environmental Convergence Department of Kangwon University.
Detection Experiment Results
Results showed that 22 toxic substances were detected, including carcinogenic substances, reproductive
toxicants and skin irritants. Eight of these substances were found to be irritant or toxic to the skin, the main
route through which the body is exposed to the pads.
In the experiment, benzene, trichloroethylene, styrene were detected. These have been designated by the

2. International Agency for the Research of Cancer as carcinogenic substances. Benzene was detected in 4
products (40%), trichloroethylene in 9 products (90%), and styrene in all 10 products (100%). In particular,
benzene and trichloroethylene have been designated as first class carcinogenic substances. According to the
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, styrene, which was detected in all 10 products, can irritate the eyes, skin
and mucous membrane. Continuous and repetitive exposure to styrene can even lead to dermatitis. In
addition, it can cause cell damage, reduction of sperm and irregularity of menstruation. Styrene has even
been stipulated as a Reproductive Toxicant Category 2 by the European Chemical Agency. The detection of
carcinogenic substances and reproductive toxicants in menstruation pads is shocking.
In accordance to reproductive toxicants, toluene was found in 7 products (70%), hexane in 2 products (20%),
and heptane in 4 products (40%). Toluene and hexane have been designated as reproductive toxicants by the
EU. Toluene has even been designated as a substance that affects women’s reproductive health and
development in the US, by California Proposition 65.
Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) that are discharged from exhaust gases and have been found to cause sick
house syndrome, were also found in menstruation pads. Tests for 17 VOCs such as xylene, toluene, benzene,
and trichloroethylene showed that some pads were in need of supervision, due to high VOC content. In
addition, products with added scents had a tendency of containing higher VOC content in comparison with
other products. This tendency complies with the results of the detection experiment on toxic substances in
menstruation pads revealed by the Women’s Voice for Earth, a US non-profit organization, in 2015.
Under the current law, the only restrictions related to menstruation pads are regulations on formaldehyde,
colorings, florescent substances, acid and alkali substances according to the Ministry of Food and Drug
Safety Quasi-Drug Standard and Test Method. Also, there is no substance marking criteria except for the
marking of general and waste product information. After menstruation pads were designated as a Quasi-drug
in 1971, they were not collected and examined until 2005. In 2006, it was actually revealed that one kind of
scented menstrual pads had exceeded the formaldehyde allowed standard.
Menstruation pads are likely to contain toxic substances that can be absorbed into the body such as moisture
absorbents, artificial fibers, and florescent whitening agents. The toxic substances detected in menstruation
pads during this study was a very small amount, measured in Nanograms. However, the vagina is more likely
to absorb toxic substances than skin and the pudenda is especially vulnerable to external stimulus and
toxicants. Also, the environment in which pads are used are small and enclosed, causing an increase in
toxicant concentration. Furthermore, the fact that women use approximately 10,000 pads in a span of 40
years also needs to be considered. In conclusion, although the toxicants in menstruation pads were only
detected in a small amount, we cannot overlook it. Prof. Kyeong Ho Choi from the Public Health and
Environment Department of Seoul National University said that “Although the contamination level is low, if
we consider the fact that women use these products repetitively over a long period of time in the perspective

3. of women’s health, precautionary measures on toxicants in disposable menstruation pads are required.”
Conclusion
Although “shoe insert menstruation pads” and “free menstruation pads” have been huge issues in S. Korea,
the subject of safe pads without toxic substances has never been discussed. The Ministry of Food and Drug
Safety needs to conduct an exposure assessment of the toxic substances detected in menstruation pads on
women’s health. Moreover, they need to set up a safety criteria in regards to the issue. As this study was
restricted to Volatile Organic Chemicals, a study on possible Nonvolatile Organic Chemicals in the pads also
needs to be conducted. In this study, the KWEN has analyzed toxic substances in menstruation pads for the
first time in Korea. In the future, KWEN will continue engaging in demands for menstruation pads that are
safe for women’s health.
KWEN Requests
1. Employ full ingredient labeling system in menstruation pads.
Consumers should be able to check all substances in menstruation pads as they do with cosmetic products
and food.
2. Reinforce criteria for toxic substances in menstruation pads
Currently, only formaldehyde, coloring, florescent substances, acid and alkali substances restrictions are
enforced by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Quasi-Drug Criteria. However, the results of this study
show that other toxicants such as CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductive toxic) substances, toxic skin
irritants, TVOCs have been found in menstruation pads.
3. Implement women’s health education and education on various reusable menstruation products
Teenagers do not get the opportunity to learn about detailed information on menstruation pads or
information on various reusable menstruation products during Home Economics class or Sex Education. This
education is crucial in promoting women’s health and the environment.

4. CAS
No.
Compound Toxicity
Carcinogen__EPA
IRIS
Reproductive &
Developmental_CA
65
regular size panty liner
A B C D E F G H I J
64-17-5 Ethanol A-A3 O O O O O O O O X O
67-64-1 Acetone A-A4
1999_Data are
inadequate for an
assessment of
human
carcinogenic
potential
O O X X X X O X X X
78-79-5 Isoprene
I-2B, C-1B,
N-R, M-2
cancer O X X X O O O X X X
75-09-2 Dichloromethane
I-2A, C-2, N-
R, A-A3
2005_Likely to be
carcinogenic to
humans
cancer O X X X X X X X X X
78-93-3 Butanone
1999_Data are
inadequate for an
assessment of
human
carcinogenic
potential
O X X X O X X X X X
110-54-
3
Hexane R-2
2005_Inadequate
information to
assess
carcinogenic
potential
X X X O X O X X X X
109-99-
9
Tetrahydrofuran A-A3
2005_Suggestive
evidence of
carcinogenic
potential
X O X O O X X O X X
96-37-7 Methylcyclopentane X X X O X X X O X X
71-43-2 Benzene
I-1, C-1A, N-
K, A-A1, M-
1B
1986_A
1996_Known/likely
human carcinogen
1999_ 2005_
cancer/developmental,
male
X O X O X X X O O X
79-01-6 Trichloroethene
I-1, C-1B, N-
R, A-A2, M-2
2005_Carcinogenic
to humans
cancer X O O O O O O O O O
142-82-
5
Heptane 1986_D O O O X X O X X X X

5. 108-88-
3
Toluene I-3, A-A4, R-2
2005_Inadequate
information to
assess
carcinogenic
potential
developmental/female O O X X O O O O X O
100-41-
4
Ethylbenzene I-2B, A-A3 1986_D cancer O O X O O O X O O O
m, p-Xylene I-3, A-A4 O O O O O O O X X X
100-42-
5
Styrene
I-2B, N-R, A-
A4
O O O O O O O O O O
95-47-6 o-Xylene I-3, A-A4 O O O O O O O O X X
526-73-
8
1,2,3-
Trimethylbenzene
2005_Guidelines
for Carcinogen
Risk Assessment
O O O O O O O O O O
95-63-6
1,2,4-
Trimethylbenzene
2005_Guidelines
for Carcinogen
Risk Assessment
O X O O O O O O O X
611-14-
3
2-Ethyltoluene R-2 cancer O O O O O O O O O O
108-67-
8
1,3,5-
Trimethylbenzene
R-2
2005_Guidelines
for Carcinogen
Risk Assessment
O O O O X O O O O O
76-22-2 Camphor R-1A X O X X O X X X O X
4390-
04-9
Isocetane C-1A X O X X X X X X X X

6. CAS
No.
Compound
Toxi
city
Carcinoge
n__EPA
IRIS
Reproducti
ve &
Developme
ntal_CA 65
ng
regular size panty liner
A B C D E F G H I J
64-
17-5
Ethanol
A-
A3
TR. TR. TR. TR. TR. TR. TR. TR. N.D. TR.
67-
64-1
Acetone
A-
A4
1999_Data
are
inadequat
e for an
assessmen
t of
human
carcinoge
nic
potential
TR. TR. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. TR. N.D. N.D. N.D.
78-
79-5
Isoprene
I-2B,
C-
1B,
N-R,
M-2
cancer
1.16±3
.20
N.D. N.D. N.D.
0.29±0
.95
2.52±3
.45
0.47±
1.17
N.D. N.D. N.D.
75-
09-2
Dichloromet
hane
I-
2A,
C-2,
N-R,
A-
A3
2005_Likel
y to be
carcinoge
nic to
humans
cancer TR. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.
78-
93-3
Butanone
1999_Data
are
inadequat
e for an
assessmen
t of
human
carcinoge
nic
potential
TR. N.D. N.D. N.D. TR. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.
110-
54-3
Hexane R-2
2005_Inad
equate
informatio
n to
assess
N.D. N.D. N.D.
4.04±1
3.58
N.D.
11.80±
19.20
N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.

7. carcinoge
nic
potential
109-
99-9
Tetrahydrof
uran
A-
A3
2005_Sug
gestive
evidence
of
carcinoge
nic
potential
N.D.
0.15±0
.20
N.D.
0.19±0
.32
0.12±0
.15
N.D. N.D.
0.04±
0.12
N.D. N.D.
96-
37-7
Methylcyclo
pentane
N.D. N.D. N.D.
0.23±1
.20
N.D. N.D. N.D.
0.28±
1.35
N.D. N.D.
71-
43-2
Benzene
I-1,
C-
1A,
N-K,
A-
A1,
M-
1B
1986_A
1996_Kno
wn/likely
human
carcinoge
n 1999_
2005_
cancer/deve
lopmental,
male
N.D. TR. N.D. TR. N.D. N.D. N.D. TR. TR. N.D.
79-
01-6
Trichloroeth
ene
I-1,
C-
1B,
N-R,
A-
A2,
M-2
2005_Carci
nogenic to
humans
cancer N.D. TR. TR. TR. TR. TR. TR. TR. TR. TR.
142-
82-5
Heptane 1986_D
0.58±1
.62
0.57±2
.03
1.77±2
.00
N.D. N.D.
1.24±4
.80
N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.
108-
88-3
Toluene
I-3,
A-
A4,
R-2
2005_Inad
equate
informatio
n to
assess
carcinoge
nic
potential
developme
ntal/female
12.31±
11.99
51.30±
20.45
N.D. N.D.
46.19±
84.52
4.85±1
.81
3.10±
5.50
1.03±
4.94
N.D.
2.31±1
1.88
100-
41-4
Ethylbenzen
e
I-2B,
A-
A3
1986_D cancer
1.00±7
.29
6.16±6
.98
N.D.
2.76±1
0.76
3.81±1
3.68
5.80±1
2.11
N.D.
1.17±
2.31
0.71±1
0.11
0.36±4
7.85
m, p-Xylene
I-3,
A-
A4
16.28±
25.88
15.03±
10.35
14.84±
19.00
14.59±
33.69
19.69±
83.97
21.86±
21.11
2.56±
5.23
N.D. N.D. N.D.

8. 100-
42-5
Styrene
I-2B,
N-R,
A-
A4
3.41±2
.18
4.51±1
.55
1.51±1
.07
2.49±3
.76
2.97±1
.13
7.43±2
4.76
0.63±
0.17
1.75±
0.25
1.78±0
.38
1.62±3
.24
95-
47-6
o-Xylene
I-3,
A-
A4
5.52±6
.67
6.92±4
.68
4.67±8
.35
5.74±1
1.80
10.48±
63.54
11.55±
26.40
0.63±
2.15
1.75±
1.27
N.D. N.D.
526-
73-8
1,2,3-
Trimethylbe
nzene
2005_Guid
elines for
Carcinoge
n Risk
Assessme
nt
21.46±
17.36
16.95±
11.27
22.07±
33.86
16.06±
31.72
51.05±
43.39
44.56±
24.30
9.36±
4.32
12.09
±4.80
22.51±
5.57
5.40±2
.70
95-
63-6
1,2,4-
Trimethylbe
nzene
2005_Guid
elines for
Carcinoge
n Risk
Assessme
nt
2.79±7
.67
N.D.
18.17±
8.26
21.01±
27.80
32.76±
54.11
50.40±
36.71
9.29±
9.84
6.46±
9.93
1.81±4
.03
N.D.
611-
14-3
2-
Ethyltoluene
R-2 cancer
2.84±6
.59
4.33±2
.79
5.22±4
.75
4.42±7
.56
9.07±1
0.04
13.40±
3.02
1.82±
1.46
2.40±
1.56
4.74±0
.85
3.47±0
.26
108-
67-8
1,3,5-
Trimethylbe
nzene
R-2
2005_Guid
elines for
Carcinoge
n Risk
Assessme
nt
19.93±
35.77
29.06±
26.37
68.39±
39.56
41.03±
48.55
N.D.
62.72±
26.60
8.13±
6.65
15.51
±9.92
31.77±
9.14
21.14±
19.16
76-
22-2
Camphor
R-
1A
N.D.
16.69±
4.16
N.D. N.D.
30.19±
1.25
N.D. N.D. N.D.
62.84±
29.45
N.D.
439
0-
04-9
Isocetane
C-
1A
N.D.
5.16±3
.93
N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.