Did you know that pads and tampons are bleached with chlorine?

I did not realize this untill I was at a health food store. They sold pads that are manufactured by Seventh Generation. Seventh Generation's pads boast that they are chlorine free. I discussed this with the sales woman and dicovered that tampons were also bleached. It angers me that chlorine is used to bleach tampons. I am allergic to chlorine. At that time Seventh Generation did not currently sell tampons. I e-mailed Seventh Generation to encourage them to manufacture and market chlorine free tampons as well. They emailed me back a friendly note saying they were working on it. Evidently they now sell chlorine free tampons. The tampons they sell are made by Organic Essentials, a Texas Co-op.

Also since then I have learned about other products
The Keeper is a reusable "small, bell-shaped, natural gum rubber menstrual cap that is worn internally" It costs about $35. There is another similar product that is not reusable. It is Instead. Supposedly Instead can be worn during sex.
For Washable Pads try:
lunapads
Glad Rags
Many Moons Alternatives
Moonwit
For more info on these various product go to The Adventures Of Gynomite Girl

Below is an article taken from the Feminist Majority Website.

Demand That Tampons Be Safe and Carcinogen-Free*

In the United States, tampons contain rayon fibers, which are usually treated with chemicals to increase their absorbancy. These super-absorbent fibers absorb not only menstrual blood, but normal vaginal secretions as well, causing drying and ulceration of vaginal tissues. The fibers can also become imbedded in the vaginal walls, making lacerations. Bacteria can then enter these lacerations, which increases women's susceptibility to Toxic Shock Syndrome.

In addition, dioxin, a byproduct that is created when tampons are bleached with chlorine, is a toxin that may been linked to cancers of the female reproductive tract -- especially the uterus, ovaries and bladder. Tampons are unnecessarily bleached - manufacturers use these harmful chemicals solely to make tampons look whiter and brighter.

A 1996 EPA study has also linked dioxin exposure with increased risks for endometriosis, an often painful menstrual-related condition that is a leading cause of infertility.

According to the EPA, high exposure to dioxins may suppress the immune system, increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, reduce fertility, and impede with normal fetal and childhood development.

The health hazards which may result from dioxin and rayon in tampons have been known for quite some time, yet all of the major tampon brands (and many generic stores brands) in the United States continue to use these materials in their products.

Multinational tampon companies are still putting synthetic fibers, chlorine compounds and other additives into tampons. Prior to the use of these "additives," tampons were made with pure cotton, and Toxic Shock Syndrome was NOT associated with tampon use.

The Food and Drug Administration has "advised" four major U.S. tampon manufacturers to "monitor dioxin levels in their products," but allows low levels of the carcinogen because "individual cancer risk from these products is extremely small."

Why expose women to any unnecessary risk? Tampons CAN be made using cotton, and CAN be left unbleached, eliminating the formation of dioxin. Let's demand that women's healthy and hygiene products be adequately tested, appropriately labeled, and safe! Please help us to protect the health and safety of women everywhere! Take Feminist Action!

*This was cut and pasted from the Feminist Majority Website.