"Use of Disposable Sanitary Pads Increases Risk of Symptoms Such as Itching and Pain"

Report on Health Impact Survey of Disposable Sanitary Pads

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] A survey has revealed that the use of disposable sanitary pads increases the risk of menstrual-related discomfort symptoms such as itching.

Kang Eun-mi, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the Justice Party, announced on the 21st that this fact was confirmed for the first time in the report of the "Disposable Sanitary Pad Health Impact Survey," jointly conducted by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

The report concluded, "Both the cross-sectional and panel survey results showed a statistically significant tendency for menstrual-related discomfort symptoms to increase according to the level of exposure to chemical substances contained in disposable sanitary pads."

It also stated, "As the concentration of volatile organic compounds increased, the risk of menstrual-related symptoms significantly increased," and "It was confirmed that volatile organic compounds in disposable sanitary pads increase the risk of menstrual-related symptoms such as vulvar itching, pain, pimples, chapping, menstrual cramps, changes in menstrual blood color, and headaches during menstruation."

The report explained, "Considering the statistical results of this study and the characteristics of chemical substances such as the skin irritancy of volatile organic compounds, chemical exposure can be estimated as one of several possible factors related to discomfort symptoms."

However, since the symptoms presented in this study were based on user survey results, it was noted that to objectively confirm health damage caused by the use of disposable sanitary pads and to clarify a clear causal relationship, long-term follow-up studies and experimental model-based research need to be considered.

This report is based on a survey conducted by a public-private joint investigation council that began research in April 2018, following a petition by civil society groups including the Justice Party and the Women's Environmental Network in 2017 to determine whether sanitary pad use causes health damage. It was released five years after the petition was submitted.

At a comprehensive audit the day before, Assemblywoman Kang demanded data submission from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and only secured a promise to submit the data close to midnight.

Kang said, "The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety must promptly begin exposure and toxicity evaluations of sanitary pads and take follow-up measures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.