Women’s Health Rally to Bring Concerns Regarding Toxic Chemicals in Feminine Care Products Directly to Procter & Gamble’s Shareholders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – On October 13, national women’s health non-profit, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), is headed to Cincinnati, Ohio to host a women’s health rally outside of Procter and Gamble’s shareholder meeting to escalate their request that P&G list all ingredients and remove toxic chemicals from its feminine care products.

In 2014, WVE commissioned laboratory testing of the popular pad brand, Always, and found the tested products emit toxic chemicals including carcinogens, and reproductive and developmental toxins. None of these chemicals are disclosed on the product by the manufacturer.

“It’s been nearly two years since we first brought these test results to the attention of Procter and Gamble and nothing has changed. Instead, P&G has ignored the concerns of their consumers,” said Sarada Tangirala, WVE’s National Campaign’s Manager.

“Women want safe products. We deserve to know what ingredients are in our feminine care products. And we have major concerns about toxic chemicals ending up in products that come into contact with one of the most sensitive and absorptive parts of the body,” said Tangirala. “So we’re bringing these concerns directly to P&G’s shareholders.”

“Millions of women use these products on a monthly basis,” said WVE’s director of science and research, Alexandra Scranton. “Toxic chemicals like these have no place in a product meant to support women’s health. At the very least, disclosure of the ingredients used in these products is necessary so that women can have the information they need to make safe choices to protect their reproductive health.”

“This rally is about awareness and opportunity,” said Tangirala. “Women are often shocked to learn that it’s perfectly legal for companies to put toxic chemicals in pads and tampons. As a market giant, Procter and Gamble has a real opportunity to be a leader in protecting women’s health.”

The Detox the Box rally will also include a petition delivery. WVE has joined with consumer advocate Andrea Donsky to deliver more than 35,000 signatures to Procter and Gamble asking the company to list all ingredients and remove toxic chemicals.

“Because sanitary pads are considered to be a ‘medical device,’ the ingredients don’t have to be listed on the label or disclosed by the manufacturer,” explained Andrea Donsky, founder of NaturallySavvy.com. “To date, we have collected more than 35,000 signatures from women and men across North America who believe we have the right to know what the ingredients are in feminine-hygiene products.”

Scheduled speakers at the rally include women’s health advocate, Kiran Gandhi. Gandhi made headlines following the London Marathon where she chose to run her race without a tampon to encourage women not to be ashamed of their periods and to raise awareness about the issues regarding access to feminine products – an issue women struggle with throughout the world.

“I’m so excited to work with Women’s Voices for the Earth in their mission to help P&G find sustainable solutions for the future,” said Gandhi. “The bottom line and corporate responsibility can go hand in hand, and if we work together, companies can grow while still doing what’s right for not only female consumers but also the environment.”

Additional support organizations of the Cincinnati event include Teens Turning Green, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Black Women for Wellness, and New Voices for Reproductive Justice.

“This event is led by women – it is about our health,” said Tangirala. “It’s a showing of the strength and the power we have as consumers to take control of our health.”

The women’s health rally marks the latest escalation of Women’s Voices for the Earth’s “Detox the Box” campaign, which has included a scientific report, Chem Fatale, product testing of Always pads, and a spoof music video calling on the world’s largest feminine-product manufacturer, Procter & Gamble, to disclose and remove potentially harmful ingredients from Tampax and Always brands.

The shareholder meeting is on October 13, 2015, at Procter and Gamble’s headquarters in downtown Cincinnati, OH. The rally begins at 8:00 AM.
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About Women’s Voices for the Earth
Founded in 1995, Women’s Voices for the Earth amplifies women’s voices to eliminate the toxic chemicals that harm our health and communities. With thousands of members across the United States, WVE changes corporate practices, holds government accountable, and works to ensure a toxic-free future for all. www.womensvoices.org.

Media Contact: Beth Conway, Communications Manager at Women’s Voices for the Earth
bethc@womensvoices.org; 406-543-3747