Guest guest Posted May 29, 2002 Report Share Posted May 29, 2002 For a number of years I have been advising my patients not to use tampons, as I have realised that a lot of menstrual problems are due or made worse be the use of these tampons. I received from a colleague the following article and with Doc's permission I am passing it on.. Jocelyne <<<<< This is not a pleasant subject, but it is important to be aware what is in the products we use frequently. If you use pads, but especially if you use tampons, read this and pass on to your friends (for the men receiving this email, please forward it to your friends, significant others, sisters, mothers, daughters, etc.) Check the labels of the sanitary pads or tampons that you are going to buy the next time, and see whether you spot any of the familiar signs stated in this email. No wonder so many women in the world suffer from cervical cancer and womb tumors. Have you heard that tampon makers include asbestos in tampons? Why would they do this? Because asbestos makes you bleed more . . .if you bleed more, you're going to need to use more. Why isn't this against the law since asbestos is so dangerous? Because the powers that be, in all their wisdom (Not), did not consider tampons as being ingested, and therefore wasn't illegal or considered dangerous. This month's Essence magazine has a small article about this and they mention two manufacturers of a cotton tampon alternative. The companies are Organic Essentials @ (800)765-6491 and Terra Femme @ (800)755-0212 A woman getting her Ph.D. at University of Colorado @ Boulder sent the following: I am writing this because women are not being informed about the dangers of something most of us use-tampons. I am taking a class this month and I have been learning a lot about biology and woman, including much about feminine hygiene. Recently we have learned that tampons are actually dangerous (for other reasons than TSS). I'll tell you this, after learning about this in our class, most of the females wound up feeling angry and upset with the tampon industry, and I for one, am going to do something about it. To start, I want to inform everyone I can, and email is the fastest way that I know how. Here is the scoop: Tampons contain two things that are potentially harmful: Rayon (for absorbency), and dioxin (a chemical used in bleaching the products). The tampon industry is convinced that we, as women, need bleached white products-in order to view the product as pure and clean. The problem here is that the dioxin produced in this bleaching process can lead to very harmful problems for a woman. Dioxin is potentially carcinogenic (cancer-associated) and is toxic to the immune and reproductive systems. It has also been linked to endometriosis and lower sperm counts for men-for both, it breaks down the immune system. Last September the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that there really is no set " acceptable " level of exposure to dioxin given that it is cumulative and slow to disintegrate. The real danger comes from repeated contact (Karen Houppert " Pulling the Plug on the Tampon Industry " ). I'd say using about 4-5 tampons a day, five days a month, for 38 menstruating years is " repeated contact, " wouldn't you? Rayon contributes to the danger of tampons and dioxin because it is a highly absorbent substance. Therefore, thin fibers from the tampons are left behind in the vagina as it usually occurs), it creates a breeding ground for the dioxin. It also stays in a lot longer than it would with just cotton tampons. This is also the reason why TSS (toxic shock syndrome) occurs. WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES? Using feminine hygiene products that aren't bleached and that are all cotton. Other feminine hygiene products (Pads/napkins) conta n dioxin as well, but they are not nearly as dangerous since they are not in direct contact with the vagina. The pads/napkins need to stop being bleached, but obviously tampons are the most dangerous. So, what can you do if you can't give up using tampons? Use tampons, that are made from 100% cotton, and that are UNBLEACHED. Unfortunately, there are very, very few companies that make these safe tampons. They are usually only found in health food stores. Countries all over the world (Sweden, German, British Columbia, etc.) have demanded a switch to this safer tampon, while the US has decided to keep us in the dark about it. In 1989, activists in England mounted a campaign against chlorine bleaching. Six weeks and 50,000 letters later, the makers of sanitary products switched to oxygen bleaching (one of the green methods available). (MS magazine May/June 1995). What to do now : Tell people. Everyone. Inform them. We are being manipulated by this industry and the government, let's do something about it! Please write to the companies: Tampax (Tambrands), Playtex, O.B., Kotex. Call the 800 numbers listed on the boxes. Let them know that we demand a safe product- ALL COTTON UNBLEACHED TAMPONS. Reminder: P.S. In order not to lose the impact of this email, I suggest that anyone who wants to forward to your friends, PLEASE copy this mail and paste to a NEW message. That way will not distort the whole message with all the forward arrows. Please do this with consideration and seriousness. Thanks! Lynne Huffer Professor Rice University Department of French Studies, MS-31 Program in The Study of Women & Gender 6100 Main Street Houston, TX 77005-1892 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2002 Report Share Posted May 29, 2002 I thought the asbestos/dioxin/rayon tampon email was on a hoax list. That email has been around for years. There are nicer alternatives to use, The Keeper is one. If you do a search of The Keeper, you'll find other products that are similar. It is a shame more women do not know about them. Lynne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2002 Report Share Posted May 29, 2002 While I don't disagree that we need all-cotton and non-bleached products, this particular article is an urban legend....check it out at http://www.snopes.com/ -Lori --- jocelyne hemming <jh wrote: > For a number of years I have been advising my patients > not to use tampons, > as I have realised that a lot of menstrual problems are > due or made worse be > the use of these tampons. I received from a colleague the > following article > and with Doc's permission I am passing it on.. > > Jocelyne > > <<<<< > > This is not a pleasant subject, but it is important to > be aware what is in the products we use frequently. > If you use pads, but especially if you use tampons, > read this and pass on to your friends (for the men > receiving this email, please forward it to your > friends, significant others, sisters, mothers, > daughters, etc.) > > Check the labels of the sanitary pads or tampons that > you are going to buy the next time, and see whether > you spot any of the familiar signs stated in this > email. No wonder so many women in the world suffer > from cervical cancer and womb tumors. Have you heard > that tampon makers include asbestos in tampons? Why would > they do this? Because asbestos makes you bleed more . > > . .if you bleed more, you're going to need to use > more. Why isn't this against the law since asbestos > is so dangerous? Because the powers that be, in all > their wisdom (Not), did not consider tampons as being > ingested, > and therefore wasn't illegal or considered dangerous. > > This month's Essence magazine has a small article > about this and they mention two manufacturers of a > cotton tampon alternative. The companies are Organic > Essentials @ (800)765-6491 and Terra Femme @ > (800)755-0212 A woman getting her Ph.D. at University > of Colorado @ Boulder sent the following: > > I am writing this because women are not being > informed about the dangers of something most of us > use-tampons. > I am taking a class this month and I have been > learning a lot about biology and woman, including > much > about feminine hygiene. Recently we have learned that > tampons are actually dangerous (for other reasons > than > TSS). I'll tell you this, after learning about this > in our class, most of the females wound up feeling angry > and upset with the tampon industry, and I for one, am > going to do something about it. To start, I want to > inform everyone I can, and email is the fastest way > that I know how. > > Here is the scoop: > > Tampons contain two things that are potentially > harmful: Rayon (for absorbency), and dioxin (a > chemical used in bleaching the products). The > tampon industry is convinced that we, as women, need > bleached white products-in order to view the product > as pure and clean. > > The problem here is that the dioxin produced in this > bleaching process can lead to very harmful problems > for a woman. Dioxin is potentially carcinogenic > (cancer-associated) and is toxic to the immune and > reproductive systems. It has also been linked to > endometriosis and lower sperm counts for men-for > both, it breaks down the immune system. > > Last September the Environmental Protection Agency > (EPA) reported that there really is no set > " acceptable " level of exposure to dioxin given > that it is cumulative and slow to disintegrate. The > real danger comes from repeated contact (Karen > Houppert " Pulling the Plug on the Tampon Industry " ). > > I'd say using about 4-5 tampons a day, five days a > month, for 38 menstruating years is " repeated > contact, " wouldn't you? Rayon contributes to the > danger of tampons and dioxin because it is a highly > absorbent substance. Therefore, thin fibers from the > tampons are left behind in the vagina as it usually > occurs), it creates a breeding ground for the dioxin. > > It also stays in a lot longer than it would with just > cotton tampons. This is also the reason why TSS > (toxic shock syndrome) occurs. > > WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES? > > Using feminine hygiene products that aren't bleached > and that are all cotton. Other feminine hygiene > products (Pads/napkins) conta n dioxin as well, but > they are not nearly as dangerous since they are not > in direct contact with the vagina. The pads/napkins need > to stop being bleached, but obviously tampons are the > most dangerous. > > So, what can you do if you can't give up using > tampons? Use tampons, that are made from 100% cotton, > and that are UNBLEACHED. Unfortunately, there are > very, very few companies that make these safe > tampons. They are usually only found in health food > stores. > Countries all over the world (Sweden, German, British > Columbia, etc.) have demanded a switch to this safer > tampon, while the US has decided to keep us in the > dark about it. > > In 1989, activists in England mounted a campaign > against chlorine bleaching. Six weeks and 50,000 > letters later, the makers of sanitary products > switched to oxygen bleaching (one of the green > methods available). (MS magazine May/June 1995). > > What to do now : > > Tell people. Everyone. Inform them. We are being > manipulated by this industry and the government, > let's do something about it! Please write to the > companies: > > Tampax (Tambrands), Playtex, O.B., Kotex. Call the > 800 numbers listed on the boxes. Let them know that > we demand a safe product- ALL COTTON UNBLEACHED > TAMPONS. > > Reminder: > > P.S. In order not to lose the impact of this email, > I suggest that anyone who wants to forward to your > friends, PLEASE copy this mail and paste to a NEW > message. That way will not distort the whole message > with all the forward arrows. Please do this with > consideration and seriousness. > > Thanks! > Lynne Huffer > Professor > Rice University > Department of French Studies, MS-31 > Program in The Study of Women & Gender > 6100 Main Street > Houston, TX 77005-1892 > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2002 Report Share Posted May 29, 2002 Hoax or not, I agree that most tampons out there are bad news. For the most part I've stopped using them all together but sometimes, being a yoga teacher, I just HAVE to! On the occasion when I do use them now I've found that Natracare's products aggravate me the least. They make 100% certified organic cotton tampons, pads, etc. I'd definitely recommend them. Ann --- Lori Deana Luza <lorideana wrote: > While I don't disagree that we need all-cotton and > non-bleached products, this particular article is an urban > legend....check it out at http://www.snopes.com/ > > -Lori > > --- jocelyne hemming <jh wrote: > > For a number of years I have been advising my patients > > not to use tampons, > > as I have realised that a lot of menstrual problems are > > due or made worse be > > the use of these tampons. I received from a colleague the > > following article > > and with Doc's permission I am passing it on.. > > > > Jocelyne > > > > <<<<< > > > > This is not a pleasant subject, but it is important to > > be aware what is in the products we use frequently. > > If you use pads, but especially if you use tampons, > > read this and pass on to your friends (for the men > > receiving this email, please forward it to your > > friends, significant others, sisters, mothers, > > daughters, etc.) > > > > Check the labels of the sanitary pads or tampons that > > you are going to buy the next time, and see whether > > you spot any of the familiar signs stated in this > > email. No wonder so many women in the world suffer > > from cervical cancer and womb tumors. Have you heard > > that tampon makers include asbestos in tampons? Why would > > they do this? Because asbestos makes you bleed more . > > > > . .if you bleed more, you're going to need to use > > more. Why isn't this against the law since asbestos > > is so dangerous? Because the powers that be, in all > > their wisdom (Not), did not consider tampons as being > > ingested, > > and therefore wasn't illegal or considered dangerous. > > > > This month's Essence magazine has a small article > > about this and they mention two manufacturers of a > > cotton tampon alternative. The companies are Organic > > Essentials @ (800)765-6491 and Terra Femme @ > > (800)755-0212 A woman getting her Ph.D. at University > > of Colorado @ Boulder sent the following: > > > > I am writing this because women are not being > > informed about the dangers of something most of us > > use-tampons. > > I am taking a class this month and I have been > > learning a lot about biology and woman, including > > much > > about feminine hygiene. Recently we have learned that > > tampons are actually dangerous (for other reasons > > than > > TSS). I'll tell you this, after learning about this > > in our class, most of the females wound up feeling angry > > and upset with the tampon industry, and I for one, am > > going to do something about it. To start, I want to > > inform everyone I can, and email is the fastest way > > that I know how. > > > > Here is the scoop: > > > > Tampons contain two things that are potentially > > harmful: Rayon (for absorbency), and dioxin (a > > chemical used in bleaching the products). The > > tampon industry is convinced that we, as women, need > > bleached white products-in order to view the product > > as pure and clean. > > > > The problem here is that the dioxin produced in this > > bleaching process can lead to very harmful problems > > for a woman. Dioxin is potentially carcinogenic > > (cancer-associated) and is toxic to the immune and > > reproductive systems. It has also been linked to > > endometriosis and lower sperm counts for men-for > > both, it breaks down the immune system. > > > > Last September the Environmental Protection Agency > > (EPA) reported that there really is no set > > " acceptable " level of exposure to dioxin given > > that it is cumulative and slow to disintegrate. The > > real danger comes from repeated contact (Karen > > Houppert " Pulling the Plug on the Tampon Industry " ). > > > > I'd say using about 4-5 tampons a day, five days a > > month, for 38 menstruating years is " repeated > > contact, " wouldn't you? Rayon contributes to the > > danger of tampons and dioxin because it is a highly > > absorbent substance. Therefore, thin fibers from the > > tampons are left behind in the vagina as it usually > > occurs), it creates a breeding ground for the dioxin. > > > > It also stays in a lot longer than it would with just > > cotton tampons. This is also the reason why TSS > > (toxic shock syndrome) occurs. > > > > WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES? > > > > Using feminine hygiene products that aren't bleached > > and that are all cotton. Other feminine hygiene > > products (Pads/napkins) conta n dioxin as well, but > > they are not nearly as dangerous since they are not > > in direct contact with the vagina. The pads/napkins need > > to stop being bleached, but obviously tampons are the > > most dangerous. > > > > So, what can you do if you can't give up using > > tampons? Use tampons, that are made from 100% cotton, > > and that are UNBLEACHED. Unfortunately, there are > > very, very few companies that make these safe > > tampons. They are usually only found in health food > > stores. > > Countries all over the world (Sweden, German, British > > Columbia, etc.) have demanded a switch to this safer > > tampon, while the US has decided to keep us in the > > dark about it. > > > > In 1989, activists in England mounted a campaign > > against chlorine bleaching. Six weeks and 50,000 > > letters later, the makers of sanitary products > > switched to oxygen bleaching (one of the green > > methods available). (MS magazine May/June 1995). > > > > What to do now : > > > > Tell people. Everyone. Inform them. We are being > > manipulated by this industry and the government, > > let's do something about it! Please write to the > > companies: > > > > Tampax (Tambrands), Playtex, O.B., Kotex. Call the > > 800 numbers listed on the boxes. Let them know that > > we demand a safe product- ALL COTTON UNBLEACHED > > TAMPONS. > > > > Reminder: > > > > P.S. In order not to lose the impact of this email, > > I suggest that anyone who wants to forward to your > > friends, PLEASE copy this mail and paste to a NEW > > message. That way will not distort the whole message > > with all the forward arrows. Please do this with > > consideration and seriousness. > > > > Thanks! > > Lynne Huffer > > Professor > > Rice University > > Department of French Studies, MS-31 > > Program in The Study of Women & Gender > > 6100 Main Street > > Houston, TX 77005-1892 > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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