Carcinogenic substances in certain hygienic protection



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It is a small flexible mbad, the other a flexible band, which, together, catalyze anxiety. In the context of controversies over the use of tampons and sanitary napkins and the occurrence of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), ANSES was seized by the Directorate General for Health and the Directorate General for Competition, Health and Safety. Consumption and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) to carry out an expertise of intimate protection products used by women. Developed from the data of the scientific literature (results of tests of consumer badociations like 60 million consumers or UFC Que-Choisir, studies, reports …) but also works of the National Institute of the consumption (INC) and the Joint Service of Laboratories (SCL) made for the occasion, his report, published Thursday, July 19, is alarming.

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Possibility of legislating

Several chemical substances of concern, regulated or not, have been detected in these periodic protections. Namely, the pesticides lindane and quintozene spotted in sanitary napkins and pantiliners and yet banned in the European Union since 2000, says ANSES. They are clbadified as "carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Note also the presence of the one that is no longer present, glyphosate, but also polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) both in the category "probable carcinogen" by the same organism. Not to mention the dioxins contained in buffers, phthalates and other endocrine disruptors, known or proven

Note however that none of the substances found in the tampons and sanitary napkins badyzed exceed the authorized sanitary thresholds. Even if ANSES concludes that there is no risk, "it is not because we do not show a precise risk that we must not control", underlines Professor Gérard Lasfargues, deputy chief executive officer of ANSES

According to the data collected from the manufacturers, these products would not be added intentionally, with the exception of the Lilial, a perfume substance, but would come from a contamination of the raw materials or manufacturing processes, details the report, which recommends in particular the revision of the procedures. For Mr Lasfargues, the European regulatory framework on chemicals (Reach) can be used to avoid the presence of dangerous agents in intimate protection products, even if there is no specific binding regulation for these products, as is the case for medical devices or for materials in contact with food. According to him, France has the means to legislate, as it has already done for bisphenol A.

No link between toxic shock and chemical substances

On the microbiological risks part, in particular the shock syndrome A rare but dangerous menstrual toxin (TSS), of which there are approximately 20 cases each year in France, according to data collected from the National Reference Center for Staphylococci, ANSES explains that the risk increases with the wearing time of the protections. internal, but also with very absorbent pads. This is why the institution advocates the information of health professionals and women and asks for clear recommendations on the instructions for use from industry. As for a potential link, "between the risk of menstrual SCT and the composition of these products […] issued by the experts […] no element of the scientific literature and according to the results of this referral, allows, to this day to confirm or refute this hypothesis ", the report states.

More data is pending, especially on menstrual cups, which may lead to additional advice next fall.


Aurore Coulaud
    
  

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