Understanding the Forever Chemicals Found in Menstrual Products

PFAS are a class of about 15,000 chemicals known as “forever chemicals” (because they don’t naturally break down). Exposure to these harmful chemicals — which are often found in clothing and textiles, cosmetics, food packaging, and even menstrual products — has been linked to a range of critical health problems.

While cleaning up environmental PFAS pollution has been a priority of the Biden administration, there has not been a significant federal strategy to regulate the chemicals’ use in consumer goods. Meanwhile, the body of research about the chemicals used in menstrual hygiene products — and the impact they have on reproductive health — remains limited.

On this episode of Terra Verde, host Fiona McLeod discusses the health impacts of toxic chemicals found in menstrual products with two senior scientists from the Environmental Working Group — Alexa Friedman, an environmental epidemiologist interested in reducing exposure to harmful chemicals, and Kaley Beins, who focuses on the intersection of public health and toxicology, specifically improving human health by reducing chemical exposures.