By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GettyImages.
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has confirmed its investigation into toxic chemicals found in the menstrual products, following the release of a study detecting potentially harmful chemicals in certain products sold in South Africa.
The investigation was initially focused on sanitary pads and panty liners but it will now include tampons.
The study revealed 16 brands of sanitary pads and eight types of pantyliners sold in South Africa contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
The study was conducted by the University of the Free State and titled “The Presence of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Sanitary Pads: A Study Done in South Africa”, found that certain sanitary products may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including parabens, phthalates and bisphenols. These substances have been linked in scientific literature to health risks such as hormonal imbalances, infertility, endometriosis and certain cancers.
With millions of South African women and girls relying on sanitary products each month, the NCC described the findings as serious, which warrant an urgent regulatory scrutiny.
The NCC is assessing whether suppliers comply with Sections 55 and 24 of the Consumer Protection Act, which require products to be safe and fit for purpose.
“I think it is very important for us to do this as the alarm has been raised by the study. We have a responsibility to act on this,” said NCC Commissioner Prudence Moilwa.
“The intention of this is to get a study on all the menstrual products,” says Moilwa.
She added that the University of the Free State used a small sample size in its research, the Commission wants to expand the scope of testing.
Moilwa explained further that the affected suppliers will be afforded an opportunity to respond to the concerns as part of the investigation before the NCC makes a determination on the matter.”
The outcome of the probe could have significant implications for consumer safety standards and product oversight within South Africa’s personal care sector.