As society moves towards more ecologically sustainable practices it would make sense to take a closer look at how to reduce every form of waste. One such product that can be made to be more ecologically friendly is the modern day tampon. This alternatives are known as an organic tampons or eco-friendly tampons.
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Tampons have been used by women for thousands of years. Records telling of Roman and Egyptian women using sanitary pads and tampons have been found. The modern version of a tampon, made by mass manufacturing techniques, came about in 1933. Since then, hundreds of millions of disposable tampons have been manufactured and thrown away in landfills.
With the average woman needing 11,400 tampons in her lifetime, it’s no surprise that having an alternative option to the mass produced tampons is needed. Enter the organic tampon.
Let’s examine the differences between organic and bulk manufactured tampons from health, environmental impact, price and ingredients perspectives.
What’s the difference in how an organic tampon is made?
Organic tampons are manufactured using ingredients that were grown using no chemicals (such as cotton from a field where pesticides were sprayed). The eco-friendly tampons also do not use chemicals in the production process, so no artificial dyes or sprays were coated on the product.
An organic tampon applicator is also manufactured from sustainable materials, and can be easily disposed in a organic landfill.
Organic tampons will bear a certification on the product’s packaging noting that they are indeed organic.
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How do eco-friendly tampons reduce waste?
According to findings published by the Women’s Environmental Network organic tampons are biodegradable and will break down over the course of two years or less once disposed of.
Organic tampon applicators are also designed to break down quickly after use. Many are manufactured from a plant-based cardboard unlike the plastic shell non-organic tampons use.
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What are some differences between organic & eco-friendly tamponstampon and a regular tampons?
Besides the fact that standard tampons can come from ingredients that were chemically treated, more chemicals are added to a regular tampon once in their production process. For example, these non-organic tampons are treated with chlorine to give them a ultra-white look. An organic tampon will not use chlorine in its production process. Instead, organic tampons use peroxide for the bleaching process.
Dr. Alyssa Dweck, a gynecologist based in New York, has said that that chemically treated tampons bleached with chlorine create a byproduct called dioxin. Dioxin is a carcinogen, and thus can lead to cancer cells being created.
Dr. Dweck also notes that the FDA requires tampon manufacturers to monitor the dioxin levels that their products release. While the concern of dioxin is a healthy one to have, the FDA regulation offers a safe level of monitoring to concerned consumers.
If you have concerns about too many chemicals introduced into your body, organic tampons may have the edge over traditional ones.
How long does it take for a traditional tampon to break down and decompose?
Traditional tampons use plastic in their manufacturing process, and also as a disposing method. Plastic takes hundreds of years to completely break down, meaning that right now, in landfills across the globe, every plastic-made tampon is still in existence.
What is an organic tampon made from?
An organic tampon is made from cotton that is 100% organically grown. No chemicals, such as pesticides, are used in the raw cotton growing process.
Eco-friendly tampons also do not contain any synthetic fibers. Some brands, like Natracare, also claim that since the organic tampon is made from 100% organic cotton, the strands of the cotton are longer than the rayon strands in mass manufactured tampons. This, they believe, means the chances of strands of the tampon coming undone and being left inside the person are reduced.
What is toxic shock syndrome?
Toxic shock syndrome is a serious medical problem that can occur from the growth of bacterial toxins. Toxic shock can happen to women who keep tampons in for too long a length of time. Most physicians recommend replacing a tampon or pad every 4-8 hours.
The symptoms of TSS can display as a fever, a feeling of unwellness, loss of memory or uncertainty about your surroundings, rash and low blood pressure. Toxic shock can quickly grow worse resulting in organ failure, coma and even death.
Do using organic tampons reduce the chances of developing toxic shock syndrome?
Both organic and non-organic modern tampons are considered by medical doctors and the FDA to be safe. While there is no evidence that using organic tampon will decrease the likelihood of developing TSS, one should frequently change their tampon regardless of what kind the tampon is.
In short, you can develop toxic shock form both organic and non-organic tampons. The bacteria that originates TSS, Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus, can arise from either situation.
Regardless of which tampon or pad you choose to use, you must remove the tampon from within your body from 4-8 hours after inserting it.