Toxic Tampons
by Dherbs
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Nearly all disposable pads and tampons are manufactured using chlorine to either "whiten" or break down the wood fiber involved.
The use of chlorine in this process produces unwanted byproducts called "organochlorines," which contaminate both wastewater from manufacturing and the actual pads and tampons that are produced.
Organochlorines
Organochlorines are some of the most toxic substances known. They are produced whenever an organic material (wood fibers, fossil fuels) is combined with chlorine gas (a.k.a. elemental chlorine).
One of organochlorine's most common tasks is to help wood pulp become transformed into bright white paper products and others that contain rayon.
Diseases Associated with Organochlorines
Organochlorines cause immune system defects, birth defects, cancers (especially female reproductive area cancers), neurological impairment, and a host of other complications, including ozone depletion.
One drop of "dioxin" (one type of organchlorine) added to an Olympic sized pool would prevent the hatching of trout eggs.
Organochlorines are highly resistant to being broken down by the environment and therefore accumulate easily. They seem to especially accumulate in the fatty tissues of humans and animals, consequently gathering in mammary glands and reproductive organs, especially in females. Because of this, organochlorines are suspected to be linked to breast cancer and endometriosis, as well as other related diseases.
All information provided for the FDA's (Food and Drug Administration) 1990 study was supplied by tampon manufacturers, and it was their findings that shaped our laws and policies. The United States Government has regulated or banned several types of concentrated organochlorines:
- Agent Orange
- PCBs
- DDT
- Chlordane and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
These organochlorines were banned due to evidence of immediate short-term damage to humans and the environment. Government agencies now consider there to be an "acceptable" level of exposure to organochlorides. There are over 11,000 different organochlorines in use in commerce in the United States today; there are 60 chlorine production plants in North America alone. The combined industry dependent on the production of chlorine is huge (40 million tons of annual world wide chlorine production).
One particularly frightening aspect of organochlorines is that they mimic sex hormones, particularly estrogen. There is a well-established relationship between sex hormones (especially elevated levels of estrogen) and increased breast cancer risk.
Organochlorines and Tampons
DHerbs.com does not advocate inserting tampons for various reasons, including the fact that the menstrual flow has a downward flow energy and by inserting a tampon up the vaginal tract. It causes a blockage (literally and energetically) and can lead to the menstruum and other vaginal debris to be backed up in the vaginal tract and uterine area in particular, leading to a host of female degenerative diseases such as uterine fibroid tumors (cysts) and ovarian cancer.
Natural Alternatives to Commercial Brand Tampons and Pads
Therefore, women should seek alternatives to commercial brand pad and tampons (e.g., Always), such as NatraCare, Glad Rags, or Natural Choice, available at most good health food stores.
Thank you for reading!
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