{"hq_id":"hq-p-bdy-000042","name":"Conventional and 'Organic' Tampons and Menstrual Pads","category":{"primary":"personal_care","secondary":"","tags":[]},"product_tier":"BDY","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"PFAS in 11/14 brands tested; direct vulvar/vaginal mucosal contact 3–7 days/cycle Key materials: PFAS in Menstrual Products and Intimate Hygiene Items.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"extreme","synthesis_confidence":0.851,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.075,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"pregnant women, children","overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["Carcinogenicity concern (moderate): PFAS Endocrine disruption (high): PFAS compounds in tampons/pads"],"exposure_routes":""},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":["dermal","inhalation"],"users":["adult","child","pregnant"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Incidental mouthing or hand-to-mouth transfer by children","Exposure during pregnancy with potential fetal transfer"],"notes":"Exposure to Conventional and 'Organic' Tampons and Menstrual Pads occurs via dermal. Children and infants face higher exposure per body weight due to developing detoxification systems, higher surface-area-to-weight ratio, and behavioral factors (mouthing, crawling). Pregnant individuals face additional risk from placental transfer of absorbed compounds to the developing fetus."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Contains suspected carcinogen","meaning":"PFAS — classified by IARC or NTP as carcinogenic or probably carcinogenic to humans","action":"Minimize exposure; consider alternatives; follow use guidelines strictly"},{"indicator":"Contains endocrine disruptor(s)","meaning":"PFAS compounds in tampons/pads — may interfere with hormone function","action":"Avoid during pregnancy and for children; choose certified alternatives"}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"EWG Verified or similar third-party certification","meaning":"Independently verified for ingredient safety","verification":"Check EWG Skin Deep database or product certification"}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What are the active and inactive ingredients?","why_it_matters":"Inactive/inert ingredients are often undisclosed under trade secret protection and can include endocrine disruptors, allergens, or irritants"},{"question":"Has this product been tested for carcinogenic compounds?","why_it_matters":"Products in this category may contain or release carcinogenic compounds; independent testing provides verification beyond manufacturer claims"}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Menstrual cups","notes":"Reusable, lower TSS risk, fewer chemical exposures"},{"name":"Period underwear","notes":"Washable, eliminates absorbent material concerns"},{"name":"Sea sponge tampons","notes":"Natural alternative with lower chemical content"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) — Cosmetics","citation":null,"requirements":"Cosmetics must be safe under labeled conditions of use. FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients (except color additives). Manufacturer responsible for safety substantiation.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009","citation":null,"requirements":"Positive list of permitted UV filters, colorants, preservatives. Prohibited and restricted substance lists (Annexes II–VI). Safety assessment by qualified assessor required before market. Responsible Person designation.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA — California","regulation":"California Proposition 65","citation":null,"requirements":"Personal care products containing listed chemicals (1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde, lead, coal tar) require warning labels if exposure exceeds safe harbor levels.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"REACH — Universal PFAS Restriction (proposed 2023, adoption pending)","citation":null,"requirements":"Proposed ban on manufacture, use, and placing on the market of >10,000 PFAS substances with limited exemptions. If adopted, would be the most comprehensive chemical restriction in EU history.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"FDA OTC/Cosmetic","issuer":"FDA","standard":"21 CFR Parts 700-740","scope":"Cosmetic ingredient safety, labeling requirements"},{"name":"EU Cosmetics Regulation","issuer":"European Commission","standard":"Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009","scope":"Cosmetic product safety, 1,600+ banned/restricted substances"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Empty containers may be recyclable; do not pour chemicals down drain; check TerraCycle programs","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"months"},"formulation":{"form":"absorbent_material","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":null,"name":"Rayon","role":"absorbent","concentration_pct":"40-50"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Cotton Fibers","role":"absorbent","concentration_pct":"20-30"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Polyethylene (barrier)","role":"barrier","concentration_pct":"15-20"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Sodium Polyacrylate (superabsorbent)","role":"absorbent","concentration_pct":"5-10"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000083","material_name":"PFAS in Menstrual Products and Intimate Hygiene Items","component":null,"prevalence":"common"}],"concerning":[{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000083","concern":"PFAS detected in menstrual products at ppm concentrations; drinking water limit 4 ppt (EPA); intimate mucosal exposure not assessed in regulatory risk models","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000083","concern":"Period underwear: 65% of tested brands PFAS-positive (Mamavation 2023); Thinx 2022 settlement; organic-certified tampons also PFAS-positive (Scranton 2023)","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000083","concern":"FDA and regulatory gap: tampons/pads = Class II medical devices; FDA assessment covers microbial safety, absorbency, labeling only; no PFAS testing required; period underwear = clothing category; no FDA authority; no maximum PFAS limit for any menstrual product","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000083","concern":"IARC 2024: PFOA and PFOS = Group 1 carcinogens; cumulative PFAS bioaccumulation over reproductive lifetime","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000083","concern":"Potential contaminant: PFAS leachate from product barrier layers","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]}],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000020","compound_name":"PFAS mixture (PFOA, PFOS, PFBA, PFHxA, PFBS)","role":"base","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["conventional and 'organic' tampons and menstrual pads","conventional","'organic' tampons","menstrual pads","conventional and 'organic' tampons and menstrual pad"],"brands":["Tampax","o.b.","Playtex","Rael","Cora","Seventh Generation"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"sources":[{"id":"src_001","type":"report","title":"Mamavation/Sierra Club 2023: PFAS in 65% of Period Underwear Brands (100–2,200+ ppm organic fluorine)","year":2023,"inherited_from":"hq-m-chm-000083"},{"id":"src_002","type":"journal","title":"Scranton et al. 2023: PFAS in Tampons — 11/14 Brands Positive (Environmental Science & Technology)","year":2023,"inherited_from":"hq-m-chm-000083"},{"id":"src_003","type":"regulatory","title":"Thinx 2022 Class Action Settlement: ~$5M; Undisclosed PFAS Allegations","year":2022,"inherited_from":"hq-m-chm-000083"},{"id":"src_004","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC 2024: PFOA and PFOS = Group 1 Carcinogens","year":2024,"inherited_from":"hq-m-chm-000083"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-02T18:22:07.019Z"}}