By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says the study that detected endocrine-disrupting chemicals in sanitary pads and panty liners was conducted on 16 sanitary pads and seven panty liners bought online.
The study revealed 16 brands of sanitary pads and 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.
Motsoaledi on Sunday led a joint media briefing to respond to public concerns on the safety of sanitary pads.
The briefing took place as South Africa marks International Women’s Day, a day that helps to refocus the spotlight on issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
State published research on the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in 16 sanitary pads and seven panty liner brands used by millions of South African women for decades.
The chemicals found were phthalates, bisphenols and parabens; however, the presence of the chemicals was low.
The minister said the presence of these chemicals does not automatically mean the products are harmful.
Health experts explained that the key factor in determining whether these chemicals are harmful is the level of exposure, and the amounts detected in the products studied were extremely low.
Motsoaledi also emphasised that these chemicals are not unique to menstrual products.
According to scientists, EDCs are widely present in everyday life and can be found in many common items such as food, cosmetics, personal care products, clothing, electronics and even household dust.
“Previous published studies have confirmed that small amounts of these endocrine disruptors are present in menstrual health products and have scientists always known about endocrine-disrupting chemicals?” the minister asked.
“That’s the question, and have they also known that they are ever-present in human life? Yes… China reported that 40% of endocrine-disrupting chemicals emanated from foodstuffs, 40% from other personal care products, as I mentioned, cosmetics and all that. And 18% from indoor dust, because these chemicals also are found widely in the soil.”
Motsoaledi said the Department of Health has consulted a range of experts and regulatory authorities to evaluate the findings and assess any potential risk to the public.
These consultations included scientists, medical researchers, and international health organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Population Fund. Local regulatory bodies, including the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and the National Consumer Commission.
The minister also pointed out that the University of the Free State’s research was intended to contribute to scientific knowledge and identify areas where further investigation may be needed, rather than to recommend consumer action or the withdrawal of products.
Motsoaledi reiterated that SAHPRA confirmed that sanitary pads are considered low-risk products and therefore do not require the same strict regulatory processes applied to medicines or high-risk medical devices.