Keep toxic chemicals out of period products

I am writing to you as a UK citizen who is deeply concerned about the presence of harmful chemicals, including pesticides,  in period products. Recent testing by PAN UK and the Wen (Women’s Environmental Network) found glyphosate, a probable carcinogen, at 40 times the level allowed in drinking water in tampons bought in the UK. Numerous other documented tests on period products over the last 20 years have also found a range of potentially harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides. Research has shown period products to be an important and much overlooked source of exposure to endocrine disrupting substances for women, girls and those who menstruate.  This is unacceptable.  And yet, period products remain largely unregulated. As a consumer, there is a lack of transparency and little or no information as to what is in these products, so we cannot make an informed choice. I believe you are in a unique position to regulate period products and ensure they are safe for every woman, girl and person who menstruates. Providing access to safe, healthy and affordable period products is a human rights and public health issue. I'd like to highlight actions that are within your power to take and could make a real difference:<ul><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Introduce robust government testing of period products, with the aim of ensuring that period products are free of chemical residues. </li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Introduce a legal requirement for manufacturers to disclose the ingredients and additives in their period products. </li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Provide only certified organic single use disposables (SUDs) and additive free period products as part of the free period products programme in schools.</li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Introduce a <a href="https://www.wen.org.uk/2024/10/22/why-we-urgently-need-a-menstrual-act/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Menstrual Health, Dignity and Sustainability Act</a> which calls for equal access to sustainable period products, improved menstrual education, independent testing, transparent product labelling and stronger regulation for period products.</li></ul>This could be an important health and environmental legacy for the Labour government. Please let me know how you will take this forward. Many thanks.

Take action to keep toxic chemicals out of period products