Press Releases - Women's Voices for the Earth

New Transparency Requirements Reveal Ingredient Complexity and Chemical Exposure from Menstrual Products

17 May 2022

A new report released by health and justice organizations, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), Clean & Healthy New York, Sierra Club (Atlantic Chapter) and WE ACT for Environmental Justice, spotlights how new ingredient disclosure requirements for menstrual products are providing improved and vital information about chemical exposure from the use of these products. The report, "What’s in Your Period Product? An investigation of ingredients disclosed on product labels", calls attention to significant changes the industry has made in increasing ingredient transparency, as well as chemicals of concern that, until now, were kept hidden from people who use these products.

Testing Reaffirms the Need for Improved Safety Standards for Vaginal-Use Products

09 Feb 2022

New laboratory research has demonstrated that some intimate care products currently on the market can significantly inhibit the growth of lactobacilli, which are essential bacteria for a healthy vagina. An upset or imbalance of lactobacilli are linked to increased risks of bacterial vaginosis (or BV). BV is incredibly common — it is estimated that at least 75% of women in the U.S. will experience episodes of vaginitis at some point during their life. This new testing joins the growing evidence linking the use of intimate care products to vaginal infections, and also raises questions on if the products many people are using to “self-treat” BV symptoms, may in fact be worsening the problem.

The Nation’s First Menstrual Products Disclosure Law Goes into Effect in New York

20 Oct 2021

Companies selling tampons, pads, menstrual cups or period underwear in New York State are now required to disclose all intentionally added ingredients on product labels. In 2019, New York became the first state in the nation to require period product makers to disclose ingredients by passing A.164-A/S.2387, introduced by Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) and Senator Roxanne J. Persaud (D-District 19). The law went into effect this October. There is no federal requirement to disclose, and without requirements, regulations or clear standards, only a few companies were voluntarily providing limited ingredient information. While passed in New York, this law sets a new precedent for period product ingredient disclosure.

New Federal Bill Package Will Make Safer Beauty Available to All

29 Jul 2021

This suite of federal safer beauty bills addresses gaping holes in cosmetic safety by banning the worst chemicals; requiring fragrance disclosure; protecting women of color and salon workers; and creating supply chain transparency. WASHINGTON, DC— A suite of four new bills will be introduced in Congress this summer to make beauty and personal care products safer for everyone by getting the toxic chemicals out, reducing unsafe chemical exposures for the most vulnerable, and making ingredient transparency the new industry standard. The four bills cover almost every aspect of personal care product safety. They are: The Toxic-Free Beauty Act (Reps. Schakowsky...

Salon workers join environmental health groups to petition FDA to ban formaldehyde in hair straighteners and treatments

15 Jun 2021

WASHINGTON – Salon workers from around the U.S. today joined the Environmental Working Group and Women’s Voices for the Earth to petition the Food and Drug Administration to ban dangerous hair straighteners that contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and potent allergen. The petition argues that its presence in hair-straightening and -smoothing treatments means that under the federal Drug and Cosmetics Act, such products are “adulterated” and should be banned.

New Ingredient Transparency Reveals Issue of Toxic Chemicals in Cleaning Products is Widespread

07 Apr 2021

A new report by environmental health organization, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), spotlights how toxic chemicals in cleaning products add to the health disparities and disproportionate burdens many people face from occupational exposure, pollutants in their environments, as well as social, racial and gender injustices. By accessing new ingredient information, the report calls attention to some of the most problematic and pervasive ingredients used in household and institutional cleaners, that have, until recently, been hidden from the general public.