How safe are tampons? Truth is, we just don't know

The Chicago Tribune via The Saint Paul Pioneer Press ^ | Sat, Mar. 08, 2003 | MELISSA KNOPPER

[Hawkeye's Girl]

Seven years ago, a college student approached Carolyn Maloney, a congresswoman from Queens, N.Y., and asked her a question: Are tampons safe?

The young woman, who was working on a class project, wanted to know whether the synthetic materials, chemical glues and dioxin residue from bleaching would cause health problems. Maloney didn't know the answer, so she did some digging.

[csvset]

Another alternative is The Keeper.

Both the Keeper and Instead are discussed here

[blake6900]

Gosh...I...I think I wondered in here by mistake. I thought this was a political forum.

Has anyone seen my testosterone?

[blake6900]

Sorry, the word I was looking for was "wandered", not "wondered". Anyway...

[general_re]

"Could a female athlete wearing the cotton plugs, but also carrying a blood borne pathogen, be in danger of spreading this pathogen to people who may be using the same swimming pool"?

Considering how much chlorine most pools have in them, I would tend to doubt it.

[rintense]

Heh. Not sure. But leaking can be a problem.

[Spyder]

Well, they'll be lucky trying to find many women willing to use these: Glad Rags

"We all have the power to effect change through choices, actions and purchases. Single-use products and indiscriminate consumerism are causing irreparable damage to the earth and its inhabitants. Making quality, long-lasting cloth pads is our way of working to change the situation. Glad Rags organic cotton cloth pads are soft, natural, reusable, washable, hypo-allergenic and incredibly comfortable. Not only will you save money and help the environment by switching to Glad Rags, you will find that our non disposable menstrual pads are a healthier alternative for your body. Join us in taking a positive attitude toward menstruation!

We invite you to take a moment to read our Menstrual Musings or some of the letters sent by our customers. Look through our line of cotton menstrual pads and other feminine hygiene products .

You can also find GladRags at a store near you in our Resources section.

Mothers should look at our nursing pads and organically grown cotton diapers.

We also offer soaps & soaks, books on topics of interest to women, and a list of resources.

GLADRAGS is enjoying increased media exposure... see some recent press.

Be sure to drop us a note before you leave...we would love to hear from you!

[Osage Orange]

Not sure how I ended up here.....{VBG} But...as the only male in a all female household...( Wife, two daughters, two female dogs..{g}) I've got some observations.....

1. I need to buy stock in a toilet paper company.

2. I need to buy stock in a cosmetic company.

3. I need to buy stock in a hair coloring company.

4. And for the hunter's out there...tampons make the best scent lures I've found. They come in a cool little protective package and they have that neat built-in string to tie to limbs....and they hold scents very well.

Best FRegards...to ALL female Freepers..!!!!

[scouse]

They come in a cool little protective package and they have that neat built-in string to tie to limbs....and they hold scents very well.

You have just, inadvertently, given PETA another string for their bow.

[nmh]

"Maloney also discovered that the Food and Drug Administration relies solely on data provided by the feminine products industry for tampon health and safety tests instead of commissioning an independent laboratory to do the testing. "

I'm sure they're not biased - LOL! Think they'd care of you did put something hazardous in your body when there is so much money to be made? Plus females convenience triumphs over safety. I say that as I look at the thoughless replies stating such.

[Slyfox]

I don't think it's the dioxin. I have four sisters who use tampons. All four have had problems with endometriosis. Two have had hysterectomies to alleviate the pain caused by the endo. And this from a family who's women never had a history of having problems with it. I think the problem is not the dioxin but has more to do with plugging of the natural flow. I have two sisters who never used tampons and have never had endometriosis.

[cmsgop]

Those are for dogs right?

[KarlInOhio]

4. And for the hunter's out there...tampons make the best scent lures I've found. They come in a cool little protective package and they have that neat built-in string to tie to limbs....and they hold scents very well.

And all the other hunters avoid the areas you've marked that way.

[nmh]

Infertility rates for women of child bearing age is DOWN. Hmmm could this be part of the problem?

[Spyder]

Can't imagine carrying the soiled ones around in the purse... ewwwww. They'd certainly attract dogs... and I would imagine anyone this committed to ecology has certain dog-like qualities.

[ladyjane]

So I'll trust my doctor long before I trust this congresswoman.

I wouldn't trust either as interpreters of scientific research. Physicians are not scientists, they are practitioners. Most physicians are not trained to conduct research. They may get one biostatistics course in medical school. Many of them haven't kept up on the latest findings. That said, I find most of them very interested in the latest findings. They're just run ragged these days by HMOs and paperwork. They can't be expert in everything.

[Robert Drobot]

Getting an FDA seal of approval is often a political exercise. Further, public health and safety is a public policy consideration.

Your opinion is yet another unfortunate example of the absence of education within America.

Did you know that most of America has never compared the wording of our freedoms as articulated within the Constitution, and that piece of trash touted as 'Human Rights' approved by the unelected representatives of that innocuous leach on the back of every American taxpayer - the united nations? The dangerously ignorant fools believe both are one and the same.

Stupidity reigns in America.

[MinuteGal]

Reading this chat thread on a political forum is like watching Ex-Lax commercials during dinner. But, then, it's so IN to be able discuss these subjects freely. All power to the people!

Leni

[error99]

"...If that's supposed to be funny, it's not. ..."
- - -
Yes it is...
Are we voting on this?
Or is your opinion all that counts?

[Lijahsbubbe]

This whole thread is HILARIOUS!