According to the most recent National Family Health Survey, roughly 64% of women between the ages of 15 and 24 use sanitary pads. Demographics and educational level also affect pad usage. It can be assumed that a more affluent society uses pads more frequently.
Digital Desk: The safety of commonly used sanitary napkins for menstruation health may not be as great as stated. According to a recent study, commonly accessible sanitary pads sold in India contain carcinogens. This is a concerning finding, especially in India where almost three out of every four teenage girls use sanitary napkins.
According to Dr. Amit, one of the investigators and the programme coordinator at the environmental NGO Toxics Link, "It is shocking to find numerous harmful chemicals in commonly available sanitary products, including toxic chemicals like carcinogens, reproductive toxins, endocrine disruptors, and allergens."
The International Pollutants Elimination Network NGO examined ten types of pads (both organic and inorganic) that are sold throughout India and discovered levels of phthalates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in every sample. Both pollutants can produce cancerous cells. According to European laws, certain phthalates are prohibited, and Toxics Link discovered their presence.
The possibility of dangerous chemicals being absorbed by the body through sanitary pads raises the concern level of this situation. As a mucous membrane, the vagina can release and absorb chemicals more quickly than the skin, according to Toxics Link programme coordinator Dr. Aakanksha Mehrotra, who participated in this study.
There is a growing movement in India to encourage women to switch from less hygienic forms of protection to sanitary pads. However, the existence of dangerous compounds, such as carcinogens, is a fatal blow to the hard-won trust.
According to Priti Banthia Mahesh, chief programme coordinator of Toxics Link, "While there are regulations in the European region, the composition, manufacture, and use of sanitary pads are not governed by a specific regulation in India but are subject to BIS standards which have nothing specific on chemicals."
According to the most recent National Family Health Survey, roughly 64% of women between the ages of 15 and 24 use sanitary pads. Demographics and educational level also affect pad usage. It can be assumed that a more affluent society uses pads more frequently.
The market for sanitary pads in India, meanwhile, was worth USD 618.4 million in 2021. According to the IMARC group, this market is anticipated to reach USD 1.2 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 11.3% from 2022 to 2027.
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