Chlorine Bleaching, Dioxin and Women's Health (with references)

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Chlorine Bleaching, Dioxin and Women's Health (with references)

 

http://www.web.net/terrafemme/chlor.htm

 

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Consumers have been encouraged to believe that white means clean, and

that substances like chlorine bleach are not only safe, but

" beneficial " .

 

It is obvious that tampons used to absorb menstrual blood do not need to

be white no woman we have surveyed sees a need for bright white

menstrual pads or tampons.

 

Not only are " whiter than white " chlorine bleached products unneeded,

but their production and use causes tremendous health and environmental

" damage " .

 

Chlorine is a chemical element, a heavy greenish yellow gas used as a

bleach, oxidizing agent and disinfectant. It is used to make plastics,

pesticides, solvents and other chemicals, and to treat sewage.

Commercial chlorine chemistry began in the early 20th century.

 

Chlorine is the common link and root cause of many global environmental

problems widespread dioxin contamination, PCB pollution, DDT poisoning,

human health effects from Agent Orange exposure, and ozone destroying

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).

 

Chlorine is such a dangerous environmental toxin because it " binds " to

organic matter to produce chemicals called organochlorines almost all of

which are foreign to nature.

 

The majority of organochlorines are very stable; in other words they

will not " break down " in the environment for hundreds of years.

 

This persistence is combined with the tendency of these chlorine based

poisons to " bioaccumulate " , meaning that over time they

" build up " in the " body fat " of humans and other animals.

 

One hundred and seventy seven (177) " different " organochlorines have

been found in the fat, mother's milk,

semen, blood and breath of the average human population in Canada and

the U.S.

 

Each person has a unique level at which this build up becomes " critical "

and " triggers " a wide range of health problems.

 

Well known effects of chronic organochlorine contamination include

" hormonal disruption " , " infertility " and lowered sperm counts, " immune

system suppression " , " learning disabilities " , behavioral changes, and

damage to the skin, liver and kidneys.

 

Newborns, infants, children, childbearing women and the elderly are even

more " vulnerable " to these health impacts.

 

The entire planet is now blanketed with these poisons.

 

Even human, animal and marine life at the North and South poles --

thousands of miles from the sources of chlorine pollution -- show signs

of chlorine based " toxic contamination " .

 

Ozone destruction caused by organochlorines is causing " epidemics " of

skin cancer, cataracts and infectious disease due to immune system

" disorders " .

 

" Dioxin " , another organochlorine, is produced via a " combination " of

chlorine compounds and organic matter.

 

The " deadliest " substance known to humankind, dioxin is known to " impair

reproduction " and the " immune system " at doses measured in parts per

trillion.

 

No " safe level " of chlorine use/dioxin exposure can be considered safe,

and the greatest risk is to developing children and fetuses.

 

The subtle reproductive and health effects occur at doses low enough to

present no blatant effects, and is insiduously spreading slowly

throughout populations.

 

Epidemic problems from dioxin exposure are occurring in over 13 species

of fish and wildlife in the Great Lakes, including infertility and birth

defects.

 

The most profound effects are showing in the " offspring " of exposed

species.

Studies have shown a " link " between tampons which contain " dioxin " and

" cancers " of the " female reproductive " tract.

 

 

List of References:

 

1. A Medical Time Bomb, Robb Cribb, Hamilton Spectator, September 10,

1994, p. A6.

 

2. Emerging Patterns of Tampon Use in the Adolescent Female: The Impact

of Toxic Shock Syndrome, Charles E. Irwin, Jr., MD and Susan G.

Millstein, MS, American Journal of Public Health, May 1982, Vol. 72, No.

5, pp. 464-467.

 

3. Analysis of New Generation Tampons for Propensity to Amplify

Staphyloccocus aureus Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1 (TSST 1), Philip M.

Tierno, Jr., Bruce A. Hanna, Departments of Microbiology and Pathology,

NYU School of Medicine. Presented at the 94th General Meeting of the

American Society for Microbiology, May 24, 1994.

 

4. " Truth about tampons needs to be told: These convenient little fluff

balls are not as benign as everyone believes. " , Ann Montgomery, Ottawa

Citizen, Sept. 1, 1992.

 

5. The Price of A Life, Tom Riley, Adler & Adler Publishers, Bethesda

Maryland, 1986.

 

6. FDC Reports M D D I Reports " The Gray Sheet " June 6, 1994, pp. 15-17.

 

 

7. Soap Opera: The Inside Story of Proctor & Gamble, by Alecia Swasy,

Times Books/Random House, 1993

 

8. Toxic Shock Syndrome: Incidence and Geographic Distribution from a

Hospital Medical Records Reporting System, Robert K. Miday, MD and Royce

Wilson, PhD, American Journal of Public Health, May 1988, Vol. 78, No.

5, pp. 578-580.

 

9. Vaginal Ulcers Associated with Tampon Usage, Stephen D. Jimerson, MD,

and John D. Becker, MD, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vol. 55, Feb. 2,

1980.

 

10. Article " Women's bodies have no priority, " Michelle Landsberg,

Toronto Star, Oct., 7, 1980.

 

11. Article, " The Truth About Tampons: The Health and Environmental

Inpact of Sanitary Protection Products, " Hannah Holmes, Garbage

Magazine, November/December 1990, pp. 50-55.

 

12. Article, " Embarrased to Death: The Hidden Dangers of the Tampon

Industry, " Karen Houppert, The Village Voice, February, 1995, pp. 31-40.

 

 

13. " Everything You Must Know About Tampons " , Nancy Friedman, Berkley

Publishing, New York, June 1981, ISBN 0-425-05140-4.

 

14. " Whitewash, " Liz Armstrong and Adrienne Scott, Harper Collins

Publishers, 1992.

 

15. " Looking Beyond Toxic Shock " - Science for the People, October,

1981. - Japanese regulations on tampon manufacturing.

 

16. MACHT, Dr. David - Absorption of Drugs and Poisons through the

vagina, 1918 (Reported in Science for the People, 1981).

 

17. FRIEDMAN, N. (Nancy) - The Truth about Tampons. New West, 1980, -5,

33-38.

 

18. Women and Health - " Lifting the Curse of Menstruation? " volume 8,

no. 2.3, Summer/Fall 1983.

 

19. " Use of 'Super Plus' tampons discouraged, " M. Sun, Science 1982,

216, 1300.

 

20 Article, " Tampon effects on Vaginal Health, " Eduard. G. Friedrich, MD

- Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology 1984, 24, pp. 395-406.

 

21. Tampon Associated Vaginal Ulceration, Eduard. G.Friedrich, MD, and

Kenneth A. Siegesmund, MD , Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vol.

55, No. 2, February, 1980.

 

22. Vaginal Ulcers associated with Tampon Usage, Jimerson, S.D. (M.D.),

Becker, J.D. (M.D. Obstetrics and Gynaecology, July, 1980.

 

23. Tampon induced Vaginal Laceration, R.K. Collins, Journal of Family

Practice 1979, 9, pp. 127-128.

 

24. Toxic Shock Syndrome in Menstruating Women, K.N. Shands, New England

Journal of Medicine, 1980, 303. pp. 1436-1442.

 

25. Update on Toxic Shock, Morbidity and Weekly Report , Sept 19, 1980,

pp. 29, 441-445.

 

26. Menstrual Tampon Absorbency as viewed by scanning electron

microscopy, N.E. Reame, Society for Menstrual Research Conference on

Menarche. New Rochelle, New York, June 12, 1986.

 

27. Menstrual Tampons and Pads, Consumer Reports , March, 1978, 43, pp.

127-31.

 

28. Ecology of Toxic Shock Syndrome: Amplification of Toxic Shock

Syndrome Toxin 1 by Materials of Medical Interest, Philip M. Tierno, Jr.

and Bruce A. Hanna.

 

 

Summary: Outlines results of research which compares amplification of

the TSST-1 toxin in polyester, carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylates,

viscose rayon, gelatin foam, polyurethane, and cotton.

29. Effect of Toxic Shock Syndrome Staphylococcus Aureus, Endotoxin and

Tampons in a Mouse Model, P.M. Tierno, Jr., V. Malloy, J.R. Matias amd

B.A. Hanna, Clinical and Investigative Medicine, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp.

64-70. Presented in part during the 25th Interscience Conference on

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Minneapolis, MN, 1985.

 

30. Article, " Suit aims at tampon Companies: Class action claims that

products still cause Toxic Shock Syndrome, " Alan Bavley and James

Fussell, The Kansas City Star, May 26, 1994.

 

31. Plaintiffs' Memorandum of Law in support of their Motion for Class

Certification, United States District Court for the District of Kansas,

Case No. 94-1195-FGT: Jeannie Harding, Sandra D. Hayes, Edward Hayes,

and all others similarly situated, plaintiffs versus Tambrands Inc. and

Playtex Family Products Corp., defendants, May 25, 1994.

 

32. " Historical Review of Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome. " Women and

Health, v. 21, no. 2/3, 1994. p. 141-165

 

33. Tampon Trashing: New legislation targets dioxin threat of a risky

business, Colette Bouchez, New York Daily News, February 6, 1997.

Colette Bouchez, Medical Reporter, New York Daily News, February 6, 1997

 

 

34. Little White Lies: Questions crop up about tampon safety, Colette

Bouchez, Medical Reporter, New York Daily News, June 6, 1996

 

35. " Ad for overnight use of tampons dangerous " , Laura King, Edmonton

Journal, July 8, 1993 pg. A-3

 

 

 

CHLORINE/DIOXIN/ENDOMETRIOSIS/HORMONE DISRUPTION

 

1. Article, " Sanitary Pads and Diapers Harm, " Courtice News, April 1,

1992.

 

2. Article, " Women want to stem the tide of Bleached Sanitary Products, "

Vancouver Sun, May 22, 1992

 

3. Article, " EDANA responds to Dioxin Controversy, " Nonwovens Industry,

April, 1989.

 

4. Article, " EDANA issues statement regarding dioxin in paper and

hygiene products, " Nonwovens Markets, May 26, 1989.

 

5. Article, " Dioxin Debate Continues, " Nonwovens Industry, April, 1992.

 

6. Newsletter, " Ashbridges Bay Main Sewage Treatment Plant, " Citizens

for a Safe Environment, ECOLOGICAL, June, 1992.

 

7. Article, " Feminine Protection Choices, " Debra Lynn Dadd,

Environmental Action, March/April 1991.

 

8. Article, " Nytt larm: dioxin finns i tamponger, " Annika Creutzer,

Aftonbladet, Sweden, Aug. 14, 1988, p. 6.

 

9. Article, " Molnlycke: Tampong ofarling " Annika Creutzer, Aftonbladet,

Sweden, Aug. 15, 1988.

 

10. Article, Peter Montague, Ph.D., (Electronic Edition) Rachel's

Hazardous Waste News #364, Environmental Research Foundation. Nov. 19,

1993.

 

11. " Endometriosis in Rhesus Monkeys (MACACA MULATTA) Following Chronic

Exposure to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-dioxin, " Sherry E. Rier and

others. FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED TOXICOLOGY Vol. 21 (1993), pp. 433-441

 

12. " The Dioxin Connection, " The Mothering Staff, Mothering, no, 53/56

-Fall 1989, 36-37.

 

13. " The Health Risks of Dioxin, " hearing Before The Human Resources and

Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee on the Committee on Government

Operations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Second Congress,

Second Session, June 10, 1992. ISBN 0-16-041093-3.

 

 

Summary: FDA scientists discuss health risk associated with dioxin in

tampons. Allegations of FDA employees passing off industry-generated

dioxin research report as their own. Attention given to the health risks

associated with tampons containing dioxin.

14. " Chlorine: The Devil's Chemical, " Greenpeace, 1992.

 

15. Environmental Contaminants Act, Government of Canada.

 

16. Toxic Chemicals in the Great Lakes and Associated Effects: Synopsis,

Government of Canada: Environment Canada, Department of Fisheries,

health and Welfare Canada, March 1991.

 

17. The Impact of Great Lakes Toxic Chemicals on Human Health: A Working

Paper. Theo Colborn under contract to The Department of Public Health,

Government of Canada.

 

18. Arnold, S. F., Klotz, D. M., Collins, B. M., Vonier, P. M.,

Guillette Jr, L. J. and McLachlan, J. A. Science 272: 1489-1492. 1996.

Summary: Synergistic activation of estrogen receptor with combinations

of environmental chemicals.

 

19. Bradlow, H. L., Davis, D. L., Lin, G., Sepkovic, D. and Tiwari, R.

Environmental Health Perspectives 103: 147-150.1995.

Summary: Effects of pesticides on the ratio of 16alpha/2-hydroxyestrone:

A biologic marker of breast cancer risk.

 

20. Colborn, T. . Environmental Health Perspectives Supplements 103

(Suppl 6): 81-86 1995.

SummaryL Pesticides - How research has succeeded and failed to translate

science into policy: Endocrinological effects on wildlife.

 

21. ENDS, ENDS Report 241: 8-9. 1995.

Summary: Pesticides in drinking water linked to breast cancer.

 

22. Environment and Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK, IEH

1995.

Environmental oestrogens: Consequences to human health and wildlife.

Institute for

 

23. Kelce, W. R., Stone, C. R., Laws, S. C., Gray, L. E., Kemppainen, J.

A. and Wilson, E. M. Nature 375: 581-585.1995.

Summary: Persistent DDT metabolite p, p'-DDE is a potent androgen

receptor antagonist.

 

24. LeBlanc, G. A. 1995. Are environmental sentinels signalling?

Environ. Health Persp. 103: 888-890.

 

25. Maynard, R. 1995. Sperm alert. Living Earth 188: 8-9.

 

26. Sharpe, R. M. 1995. Another DDT connection. Nature 375: 538-539.

 

27. Soto, A. M., Sonnenschein, C., Chung, K. L., Fernandez, M. F., Olea,

N. and Serrano, F. O. Environmental Health Perspectives. 103 (Suppl. 7):

113-122, 1995.

Summary: The E-SCREEN assay as a tool to identify estrogens: An update

on estrogenic environmental pollutants.

 

28. Toppari, J., Larsen, J. C., Christiansen, P., Giwercman, A.,

Grandjean, P., Guillette, L. J., JŽgou, B., Jensen, T. K., Jouannet, P.,

Keiding, N., Leffers, H., McLachlan, J. A., Meyer, O., MŸller, J.,

Rajpert-De Meyts, E., Scheike, T., Sharpe, R., Sumpter, J. and

Skakkebaek, N. E., Environmental Health Perspectives Supplements 104

(Suppl. 4): 741-803. 1996.

Summary: Male reproductive health and environmental xenoestrogens.

 

29. Wolff, M. S. 1995. Environmental Health Supplements 103 (Suppl 6):

87-91.

Summary: Pesticides - How research has succeeded and failed in informing

policy: DDT and the link with breast cancer.

 

30. Bradlow, H. L., Davis, D. L., Lin, G., Sepkovic, D. and Tiwari, R.

1995. Effects of pesticides on the ratio of 16alpha/2-hydroxyestrone: A

biologic marker of breast cancer risk. Environ. Health Perspectives 103:

147-150.

 

31. ENDS 1995. Pesticides in drinking water linked to breast cancer.

ENDS Report 241: 8-9.

 

32. IEH 1995. Environmental oestrogens: Consequences to human health and

wildlife. Institute for Environment and Health, University of Leicester,

Leicester, UK

 

33. Kelce, W. R., Stone, C. R., Laws, S. C., Gray, L. E., Kemppainen, J.

A. and Wilson, E. M. .Nature 375, 1995: 581-585.

Summary: Persistent DDT metabolite p, p'-DDE is a potent androgen

receptor antagonist.

 

34. Sharpe, R. M. 1995. Another DDT connection. Nature 375: 538-539.

 

35. " Cancer Risk? FDA defends stance on tampon-dioxin link " , Chicago

Tribune Sunday July 19, 1992 section 6.

 

36. Chemical and Engineering News December 9, 1996, p. 30

Summary: an article which addresses concerns about how the 104th

congress has addressed environmental science issues, including the

dangers associated with dioxins.

 

37. Journal of Community Health_ Winter, 1985. " Tampon Use in Women with

Endometriosis. " p. 215-225

 

38.

 

 

RAYON, FIBRE LOSS AND ULCERATION

 

1.Tampon Associated Vaginal Ulcerations by: Edward G. Freidrich, Jr.,

M.D., P. Kenneth A. Siegesmund. Ph.D. Vol. 55, No. 2 Feb 80

Obstetrics & Gynecology

 

2. Vaginal Ulcers Associated with Tampon Usage by: Steven D. Jimerson,

M.D. and John D. Becker, M.D. Vol. 55 No. 2 Feb 80 Obstetrics &

Gynecology

 

3. Textile Research Journal, September, 1996

Summary: an article submitting clinical evidence that rayon breaks up

when wet, and that rayon fibers are more likely to remain in the vagina

after removal.