Always Pads Testing Results

What’s Hiding in Always Pads?

In August 2014 Women’s Voices for the Earth commissioned testing of four types of Always menstrual pads, manufactured by Procter & Gamble. The certified laboratory STAT Analysis Corporation analyzed the products for volatile organic compound. These data represent the first publicly available test results of this kind for these products. Both scented and unscented Always Ultra Thin pads were tested, as well as scented and unscented Always Infinity.

The results of the testing indicate that both scented and unscented Always pads emit toxic chemicals, including chemicals identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the State of California Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens, and reproductive and developmental toxins. None of these chemicals are disclosed on the product by the manufacturer.

Procter & Gamble does not disclose the identity of the materials used to manufacture its menstrual pads (UPDATE via New York Times 2015: “Under Pressure, Feminine Product Makers Disclose Ingredients“). Thus it remains unclear which components of the pad may be the source of the volatile toxic emissions. The testing results demonstrate the need for more testing of these products to better characterize the chemical exposures and to better understand the potential health impacts of those exposures.

Products Tested

Always Ultra Thin unscented

Always Ultra Thin Clean Scent

Always Infinity unscented

Always Radiant Infinity Light Clean Scent

Methodology

Analysis of the samples for volatile organic compounds was conducted by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with EPA Method TO-15 using headspace containers.

Results

The Always menstrual pads were found to contain several chemicals of concern, including the following:

Styrene: carcinogen
Chloromethane: reproductive toxicant
Chloroethane: carcinogen
Chloroform: carcinogen, reproductive toxicant, neurotoxin
Acetone: irritant.

Volatile Organic Compounds Detected in the Headspace of Menstrual Pads

Chemicals Detected	Clean Scent Always Ultra Thin	Unscented Always Ultra Thin	Clean Scent Always Radiant	Unscented Always Infinity
Chemical Name	ppbv	ppbv	ppbv	ppbv

1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene	0.64	0.54	ND	1.20
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene	ND	ND	ND	0.54
2-Butanone	7.50	7.70	ND	4.20
4-Ethyltoluene	ND	ND	ND	0.46
Acetone	480.00	340.00	92.00	93.00
Chloroethane	ND	ND	4.40	6.10
Chloroform	1.20	1.50	ND	ND
Chloromethane	ND	ND	ND	16.00
Cyclohexane	0.50	0.78	ND	1.10
Ethyl acetate	8.00	5.50	ND	2.30
Ethylbenzene	ND	0.52	ND	0.84
Heptane	1.10	1.50	ND	0.86
Isopropyl Alcohol	170.00	39.00	ND	17.00
m,p-Xylene	1.40	2.00	ND	2.80
o-Xylene	0.54	0.68	ND	1.50
Styrene	0.44	ND	ND	1.10
Toluene	3.20	6.20	ND	7.00
trans-1,2-Dichloroethene	ND	0.50	26.00	ND
Vinyl acetate	14.00	ND	ND	6.60
Xylenes, Total	2.00	2.70	ND	4.30

ND = not detected

Download this fact sheet

– What’s in Period Products? A Timeline of Chemical Testing

– Nanosilver in Period Care Products

Text PERIOD to 52886 to stay updated on actions, local events and information on period health.

Many of WVE’s materials contain the word “feminine” when used to describe period and other personal care products like wipes, washes, douches and sprays — this is a term which has traditionally dominated the menstrual products industry. But we know that words matter, and by using the term “feminine” we push people out of the conversation. There are people who use these items who do not identify as women. The experiences of transgender or gender nonconforming people are valid and their needs are critical to our mission of building healthier communities. We hope you will notice that moving forward we will be more mindful in how we talk about who is impacted by these products and by our work.