Chemical:
Dioxins and Furans
What Is It?
Dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzodioxins) and furans (polychlorinated dibenzofurans) are byproducts of the chlorine bleaching that gives conventional feminine care products like pads and tampons that pristine white look.[1][3] As byproducts, they often remain in the material fibers.[1] Most tampons are made with rayon and/or cotton.[1] With conventional pads, the absorbent material is made from rayon, wood pulp, or Super Absorbent Polymers (SAPs).
Why It Matters
Dioxins and furans aren't ingredients anyone chooses - they're byproducts of the chlorine bleaching that gives conventional pads and tampons their pristine white look, and they often remain in the material fibers.[1][3] They persist in the environment, build up in the body, and have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and hormone disruption.[3] And because these products touch some of the most absorptive skin on women's bodies, even low levels matter.[2]
Where It’s Found
Dioxins and furans can remain in the fibers of conventionally bleached feminine care products, including pads and tampons made with rayon, cotton, wood pulp, or super absorbent polymers.
90%+
Human exposure to dioxins comes through food, mainly animal products [3]7-11
Estimated half-life (in years) of dioxins in the human body [3]
Found In
Tampons
Pads
Liners
Dioxins and furans do not readily break down: they persist in the environment, build up in our bodies, and are linked to cancer and reproductive harm.
The Health Concern
Both dioxins and furans are persistent (that means they don’t break down readily in the environment) and bioaccumulate (meaning they build up in the body).[3] In addition, dioxin and furan exposures have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and hormone disruption.[3] One 2002 study found dioxins and furans in four out of four brands of tampons tested.[1] While the levels were low, this study didn’t account for one critical fact: vaginal tissue is some of the most absorptive skin on women’s bodies.[2]
Consider this: doctors are increasingly administering hormone treatments vaginally because the drug can be transferred directly into the bloodstream without being metabolized, the way it would if taken orally.[2] When given vaginally, the levels of the drug in the body can be 10-20 times higher than when given orally.[2]
Women use pads and tampons for several days at a time on a monthly basis for decades. We need more research on the impact to women’s health of this repeat exposure to bioaccumulative chemicals linked to serious harm.
How to Avoid It
Pads and tampons are regulated as ‘medical devices’, which means there’s no government requirement that ingredients are disclosed, making it harder to avoid chemicals you’re concerned about. But you can:
Look for chlorine-free or unbleached pads and tampons and always buy from companies that list all ingredients on the label, even though it’s not required.