Chemicals of Concern in Menstrual & Intimate Care Products
#DetoxtheBox
Toxic chemicals don’t belong in menstrual products. Period.
This list includes chemicals of concern that are discussed in our Chem Fatale report.
Download & print this list and leave it in your purse or bag to refer to when you’re shopping for feminine care products.
| Chemical Name | Function | Potential Health Effects | Found in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzethonium Chloride | Preservative, spermicide | Not for use on mucous membranes, maternal and embryotoxicity | Deodorant powders and suppositories, feminine wash |
| Benzocaine | Mild anesthetic | Allergic rash, dermatitis | Anti-itch creams |
| Butylparaben | Preservative | Endocrine disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, allergic rash | Wipes |
| D&C Red 33 | Colorant (dye) | Not for use on mucous membranes | Feminine wash |
| Diazolidinyl urea | Preservative | Releases formaldehyde, allergic rash, cancer | Feminine wash, douche |
| Dioxins and Furans | Contaminant from bleaching process | Cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity | Tampons (not disclosed on label) |
| DMDM Hydantoin | Preservative | Releases formaldehyde, allergic rash, cancer | Wipes, feminine wash |
| Ethylparaben | Preservative | Endocrine disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, allergic rash | Wipes |
| Ext. Violet 2 | Colorant (dye) | Not for use on mucous membranes | Feminine Wash |
| FD&C Yellow No. 5 | Colorant (dye) | Allergic reactions including bronchial asthma | Feminine Wash |
| “Fragrance” | Fragrance | Contains undisclosed chemicals of unknown toxicity, likely to contain allergens, allergic rash, endocrine disruption, cancer | Wipes, feminine wash, tampons, pads, douche, deodorant, anti-itch creams |
| Methylchloroisothiazolinone | Preservative | Allergic rash | Feminine wash |
| Methylisothiazolinone | Preservative | Allergic rash | Wipes, feminine wash, anti-itch cream |
| Methylparaben | Preservative | Endocrine disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, allergic rash | Wipes, deodorant, anti-itch creams |
| Octoxynol 9 | Spermicide | Genital irritation, increased vaginal discharge, potential reproductive toxicity | Douche, wipes |
| Pesticide residues | Contaminant of traditionally grown cotton | Cancer, endocrine disruption, acute toxicity | Tampons (not disclosed on label) |
| Polyoxymethylene Urea | Preservative | Releases formaldehyde, allergic rash, cancer | Deodorant powder |
| Propylparaben | Preservative | Endocrine disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, allergic rash | Wipes, anti-itch creams |
| Quaternium-15 | Preservative | Releases formaldehyde, allergic rash, cancer | Wipes, feminine wash |
| 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1, 3-Diol | Preservative | Releases formaldehyde, allergic rash, cancer | Wipes |