Feminine hygiene products are a neglected source of phthalate exposure in women.

PMID: 

Environ Sci Technol. 2019 Dec 20. Epub 2019 Dec 20. PMID: 31859481

Abstract Title: 

Feminine Hygiene Products-A Neglected Source of Phthalate Exposure in Women.

Abstract: 

Phthalates have been associated with reproductive toxicity and precocious puberty in females, but the occurrence of these toxicants in feminine hygiene products is rarely reported. In this study, eight phthalates were determined in 120 feminine hygiene products (56 feminine care products and 64 sanitary napkins) collected from China. Phthalates were found in 86% and 98% of feminine care products and sanitary napkins, respectively, with the total concentrations varying between not detectable and 813µg/g (median: 0.26 µg/g) and 0.25 and 8.76 μg/g (1.43 μg/g), respectively. Diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate were the major compounds, accounting for>60% of the total concentrations. The plastic materials used on the top and bottom layers, as well as the hot melt adhesive used during the manufacturing process, are the potential sources of phthalates in sanitary napkins. The range of daily exposure doses of phthalates in women from the use of feminine care products and sanitary napkins were

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