Many people do not know the serious effects disposable menstrual products have on the environment. Did you know that an estimated 2.5 billion tampons and pads are disposed of in North America every year, most of which end up in landfills? While it’s true that other types of waste contribute to landfill buildup and pollution as well, menstrual products create a unique problem because they’re made from non-biodegradable materials like plastic and rayon. Just in 2019, 70% of women used disposable menstrual products alone in the USA, and globally, 24% of women (aged 15-49).
If all of them used disposable products (2-4 per day), that would mean up to 1,6 billion pads or tampons a day, and many of them are unaware of the serious health risks these products can pose. Plastic products such as pads and tampons can contain harmful chemicals and are made of 90% plastic, which may cause a variety of health problems. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the dangers of using disposable menstrual products made from plastic. We’ll also provide information on how to reduce your exposure to these chemicals. We’ll take a closer look at the environmental impact of disposable menstrual products, from production to disposal.
So, read on to learn more! First, understand plastic periods. Plastic periods refer to the use of disposable menstrual products made from plastic. These products include pads, tampons, and liners. They are typically made from a variety of materials, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). Some may also contain small amounts of other chemicals, such as fragrances, dyes, and surfactants. While there is no definitive answer on how long it takes for these products to break down, we do know that they can take hundreds of years. This means that every plastic pad or tampon you’ve ever used is still out there somewhere in the environment.
And because they’re non-biodegradable, they’ll continue to accumulate over time. This is a major problem because plastic is one of the most common types of pollution. It’s estimated that there are more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the world’s oceans, and this number is only expected to increase. As plastic breaks down, it releases harmful chemicals into the environment. These chemicals can then enter our food chain and water supply, where they can pose serious health risks. Dangers of using disposable sanitary pads and tampons made of plastic materials.
Plastic menstrual products carry a number of serious health hazards, including exposure to harmful chemicals and the risk of toxic shock syndrome. One of the biggest dangers associated with using disposable pads or tampons made from plastic is exposure to harmful chemicals. These chemicals can leach out from the materials used to make these products and enter our bodies through skin contact or absorption into the bloodstream.
Some common chemicals found in plastic menstrual products include dioxins, fragrances, surfactants, and phthalates. Exposure to these toxic substances can have serious negative health effects, including – Hormone disruption – Cancer – Infertility – Birth defects – Liver damage – Kidney damage -chronic inflammation -hormone disruption -reproductive problems -immune system suppression -cancer, and other diseases. For example, studies have shown that certain types of phthalates can cause reproductive and developmental problems in animals, while dioxins have been linked to cancer.
Another major health risk associated with plastic menstrual products is the risk of toxic shock syndrome. TSS is a rare but serious bacterial infection that occurs when certain types of bacteria release toxins into the bloodstream. While it can be caused by a number of factors, it is believed that using super-absorbent tampons or leaving them in for too long increases the risk. Some symptoms of TSS include fever, rash, vomiting, low blood pressure, and confusion. If not treated promptly and properly, it can lead to organ damage or even death. How to avoid these dangers? The best way to protect yourself is to avoid using disposable menstrual products made from plastic.
You can do this by switching to reusable options like menstrual cups, cloth pads, or period panties. These products are made from natural materials like cotton and silicone, which are biodegradable and will naturally break down over time in the environment. These products are not only safer for your health but better for the environment as well. To reduce your exposure to plastic chemicals in general, you should also avoid using other common household products that contain plastics, such as food containers and personal care items.
Not only are these options better for your health and the environment, but they can also save you a lot of money over time. And by reducing your reliance on disposable products, you’ll help to reduce overall consumption, thus helping to mitigate the impact that human activity has on our planet. So why not give them a try today? Your health and the planet will thank you! The environmental impact of disposable sanitary pads and tampons.
The environmental effects of plastic pads are severe, with these products contributing to the ongoing problem of plastic pollution. Plastic menstrual products are typically made from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), which are non-biodegradable plastics that can take hundreds of years to break down. As they accumulate in the environment, these materials release harmful chemicals into our food chain and water supply, posing serious health risks for humans.
In addition, disposable sanitary pads and tampons also carry a risk of toxic shock syndrome due to their use of superabsorbent material. They are also one of the major contributors to plastic pollution and global warming. These pads are made from non-biodegradable materials, like plastic, which do not break down in the environment. This results in a significant amount of waste that ends up in landfills or oceans, which contributes to environmental degradation. Additionally, the production of these pads requires large amounts of energy and further contributes to global warming.
While there are some biodegradable and organic options available on the market, most women still choose to use plastic pads because they are more affordable and readily accessible. In order to reduce our impact on the environment, we need to encourage manufacturers to make more sustainable menstrual products and make them more affordable for consumers. We also need to educate women about the environmental impacts of their choices so that they can make informed decisions. Ways to reduce your use of disposable menstrual products.
There are a number of ways to reduce your use of disposable menstrual products, including choosing high-quality, environmentally-friendly options made from natural materials such as cotton or wood pulp. These products can help you avoid the risks of toxic shock syndrome and exposure to harmful chemicals like dioxins, fragrances, surfactants, and phthalates. You can also reduce your exposure to plastic chemicals by avoiding other common household products that contain plastics, such as food containers and personal care items.
Finally, you can help reduce the amount of waste generated by these products by composting them or using reusable menstrual cups. By making these simple changes, you can help keep yourself and the planet healthy. How can you get involved with Zamzam and help spread awareness about this issue? It is on a global mission to eliminate period poverty by providing free organic pads to women who can not afford them. You can help us by giving donations that we need to establish our factory to produce organic pads. Help charity foundation in this mission of alleviating period poverty. You can also help spread awareness about this issue by getting involved with ZamZam.
Some ways you can do this include advocating for better access to sustainable menstrual products, educating others about the environmental impacts of disposable pads and tampons, and supporting efforts to reduce plastic pollution. With your help, we can work together to promote the health and well-being of women.
