Long Shifts, Limited Changes: Exposure Scenarios of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals from Feminine Hygiene Products

1414 

Professional Poster 

M Wu¹

¹National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Meng-Hsuan Wu  
National Taiwan University

Feminine hygiene products are indispensable daily necessities used throughout a woman's reproductive years, from puberty to menopause. With the growing demand for these products, a wide range of options is now available on the market, including non-bleached, scented, cooling, and organic varieties. However, some research suggests that some of these products may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as phthalates, parabens, bisphenols, triclocarban, and allergic fragrances, which can be absorbed through the skin and potentially lead to adverse health effects.

In today's workforce, extended working hours are common work, particularly in healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries. For many women, such working conditions reduce the opportunities to change feminine hygiene products regularly. Prolonged use of feminine hygiene products not only increases discomfort and infection risk but also lengthens the duration of exposure to EDCs present in these products. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate EDC exposure among female workers engaged in long shifts.

Due to their structural similarity to hormones, EDCs can interfere with receptor binding, thereby disrupting the normal function of the endocrine system and causing adverse health effects, such as reproductive toxicity, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and even an increased risk of cancer. Moreover, the vulvar skin and vagina have higher absorption rates than other skin areas, as they are highly vascularized, which may lead to greater exposure to harmful chemicals entering the bloodstream.

At present, most countries lack comprehensive regulations governing feminine hygiene products. In Taiwan, existing requirements remain limited and only address basic functionality.

Given these concerns, it is crucial to investigate the presence of harmful substances in feminine hygiene products and evaluate their potential health risks.

The study examined the presence of EDCs in feminine hygiene products, specifically targeting compounds such as phthalates, parabens, bisphenols, triclocarban, and allergic fragrances. Considering both necessity and widespread use, three product categories-sanitary pads, panty liners, and tampons-were selected as study samples. Additionally, different product types were included, such as general, non-bleached, scented, cooling, and organic varieties.

For the analysis, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was employed. The sample preparation involved pre-incubation at 100 °C for 10 minutes, followed by extraction using a 65 μm PDMS/DVB fiber. Afterwards, the samples were desorbed at 270 °C for 5 minutes. Additionally, 70 μL BSTFA + 1% TMCS (used as the derivatizing agent) and 20% (w/v) sodium chloride were added to enhance extraction efficiency.

Method validation was conducted to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the analytical procedure. To evaluate potential analyte loss during sample pretreatment and confirm the reliability of the method, recovery tests were performed, yielding results ranging from 73% to 113%. Calibration curves were established to assess quantification linearity and demonstrated consistent performance across the range of 0.01–10 ng/mL. Method detection limits (MDLs) were determined by analyzing the lowest calibration point of each substance in seven replicate measurements, with values ranging between 0.003 and 0.02 ng/mL. Method precision was evaluated at both low and high concentrations of the analytes. Triplicate experiments were conducted to calculate the relative standard deviations (RSDs), which ranged from 0.08% to 8.54%.

After analysis, an exposure assessment was performed to estimate the daily exposure dose (DED) of EDCs from feminine hygiene products, along with a risk assessment. The measured concentrations were further compared with the strictest regulatory thresholds currently applied in cosmetics to evaluate potential exceedances.

The findings confirmed the presence of several EDCs, including phthalates, parabens, bisphenols, triclocarban, and allergenic fragrances, in different categories of feminine hygiene products. Estimated exposure scenarios indicated that prolonged product use-particularly under conditions of extended working hours-could increase cumulative exposure. While most detected levels fell below existing cosmetic regulations, the unique physiological characteristics of the vulvar and vaginal tissues, along with long-term and repeated use, suggest a potentially underestimated health risk.

EDCs are associated with hormonal disruption and adverse health effects such as reproductive toxicity, neurological impairment, cardiovascular disorders, obesity, and increased cancer risk. Therefore, quantifying their levels in feminine hygiene products and conducting health risk assessments are essential, especially for female workers who may have limited opportunities to change products during long shifts.

Overall, the study underscores the importance of monitoring harmful substances in feminine hygiene products. The results provide critical scientific evidence that not only highlights potential occupational and public health concerns but also offers valuable guidance for future governmental regulations and policy development aimed at safeguarding women's health.

Chemical Hazards

Exposure Assessment

Risk Assessment