{"hq_id":"hq-p-bdy-000112","name":"Menstrual Products (Tampons, Pads, Cups)","category":{"primary":"personal_care","secondary":"feminine_hygiene","tags":["tampon","pad","menstrual cup","dioxin","PFAS","pesticide","vaginal exposure"]},"product_tier":"BDY","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"Menstrual products including cotton/rayon tampons, disposable pads, and silicone menstrual cups. Tampons: chlorine bleaching historically produced dioxins; current elemental chlorine-free (ECF) process reduces but does not eliminate. Pesticide residues (glyphosate) detected in cotton tampons. PFAS found in period underwear and some pads. Vaginal mucosa is highly absorptive — chemicals bypass first-pass hepatic metabolism.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.848,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.208,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":3,"compounds_total":3,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"menstruating individuals (chronic lifetime exposure)","overall_risk":"moderate","primary_concerns":["Vaginal mucosal absorption bypasses hepatic metabolism (higher systemic exposure)","Pesticide residues in conventionally grown cotton tampons","PFAS in period underwear and pad moisture barriers","No FDA ingredient disclosure requirement for tampons"],"exposure_routes":"Intravaginal (tampons, cups); vulvar dermal (pads, underwear)"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":["skin_prolonged"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"hours","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Tampon: 4-8 hours intravaginal contact (highly absorptive mucosa)","Pad: 8-12 hours vulvar skin contact","Period underwear: PFAS in moisture-wicking layer (Mamavation 2023 testing)","Menstrual cup: 12 hours intravaginal silicone contact"],"notes":"Vaginal mucosa absorbs chemicals directly into systemic circulation without hepatic first-pass metabolism. A person using tampons from menarche to menopause uses ~11,000 tampons over their lifetime. FDA classifies tampons as medical devices (Class II) but does not require ingredient disclosure."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Choose organic cotton tampons (reduced pesticide residue). Avoid PFAS-containing period underwear (check Mamavation testing). Change tampons every 4-8 hours. Consider silicone menstrual cups (reusable, no fiber exposure).","safer_alternatives":["100% organic cotton tampons (Natracare, Cora, L.)","Medical-grade silicone menstrual cup (DivaCup, Lena)","Organic cotton reusable pads","Period underwear from PFAS-tested brands"],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Product causes skin irritation, redness, or rash","meaning":"Contact dermatitis or chemical sensitivity.","action":"Discontinue use. Choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic alternative."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"EWG Verified or dermatologist-tested label","meaning":"Meets strict ingredient safety criteria.","verification":"Check EWG Skin Deep database for product rating."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"Is this product fragrance-free (not just unscented)?","why_it_matters":"Fragrance is the #1 cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis. Unscented may still contain masking fragrance.","good_answer":"Fragrance-free — no fragrance ingredients at all.","bad_answer":"Unscented (may contain masking fragrance)."}],"alternatives":[{"name":"100% organic cotton tampons","notes":"Natracare, Cora, L."},{"name":"Medical-grade silicone menstrual cup","notes":"DivaCup, Lena"},{"name":"Organic cotton reusable pads","notes":"Safer option"}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Cosmetics)","citation":"21 U.S.C. 361-364","requirements":"Cosmetics must not be adulterated or misbranded. No pre-market approval required (except color additives). Fragrance ingredients exempt from individual disclosure.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"FDA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009","citation":"EC 1223/2009","requirements":"All cosmetic ingredients must be safety-assessed before market. 1,600+ banned substances. Full ingredient disclosure required (INCI). CMR substances prohibited.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"European Commission","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA -- California","regulation":"California Proposition 65","citation":"CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5","requirements":"Products containing listed chemicals require warnings.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"OEHHA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"EWG Verified","issuer":"Environmental Working Group","standard":"EWG Verified Mark","scope":"Meets EWG strictest health criteria for personal care products"}],"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":"Regular waste. Do not flush tampons.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"single_use"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000001","name":"Glyphosate","role":"cotton_pesticide_residue","concentration_pct":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000020","name":"PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)","role":"pad_treatment","concentration_pct":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000011","name":"Formaldehyde","role":"bleaching_byproduct","concentration_pct":"trace"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[{"material_id":null,"material_name":"Primary formulation for menstrual products (tampons, pads, cups)","component":"main product","prevalence":"common","notes":"Standard personal care product formulation."}],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000001","compound_name":null,"role":"cotton_pesticide_residue","typical_concentration":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000020","compound_name":null,"role":"pad_treatment","typical_concentration":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000011","compound_name":null,"role":"bleaching_byproduct","typical_concentration":"trace"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["menstrual products (tampons, pads, cups)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Tampax","manufacturer":"Procter & Gamble","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Market-leading tampon brand"},{"brand":"Always","manufacturer":"Procter & Gamble","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Leading menstrual pad brand"},{"brand":"DivaCup","manufacturer":"Diva International","market_position":"premium","notable":"Popular reusable menstrual cup"},{"brand":"Kotex","manufacturer":"Kimberly-Clark","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Mass-market menstrual products"}],"sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FDA Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Cosmetics) (21 U.S.C. 361-364)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"21 U.S.C. 361-364","id":"src_d6e8aa83"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (EC 1223/2009)","jurisdiction":"EU","citation":"EC 1223/2009","id":"src_dc378692"},{"type":"regulation","title":"California Proposition 65 (CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5)","jurisdiction":"USA -- California","citation":"CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5","id":"src_fe1d5adc"},{"id":"src_001","type":"epa","title":"Glyphosate Interim Registration Review Decision Case Number 0178","url":"https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/glyphosate","accessed":"2025-01-13","year":2020,"notes":"EPA registration review concluding 'not likely to be carcinogenic to humans'","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000001"},{"id":"src_002","type":"iarc","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 112: Glyphosate","publication":"IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans","year":2015,"url":"https://monographs.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mono112.pdf","accessed":"2025-01-13","notes":"IARC classification: Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans)","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000001"},{"id":"iarc_135","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 135: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)","year":2023,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000020"},{"id":"epa_pfoa_2024","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation; PFOA MCL 4 ppt, MCLG zero","year":2024,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000020"},{"id":"iarc_100f_form","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 100F: Formaldehyde","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000011"},{"id":"epa_form_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS Assessment: Formaldehyde (draft)","year":2010,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000011"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-02T18:19:08.211Z"}}