Tampons: The Truth - The Rumor Mill & Claims

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Tampons: The Truth - The Rumor Mill & Claims JoAnn Guest Oct 23, 2005 15:02

PDT

A Phone call to Johnson & Johnson

For Women who Decide to Keep Using Tampons with Rayon & Dioxin.

Two Examples of Super Absorbent Tampon Products

For Women Who Want Safer Choices

Some Dr.'s Say...

The FDA

 

Urban Legends - A Reference site which claims to provide the " real "

scoop on a variety of subjects, rumors, hoaxes, etc.

Web-Sites for Even More Information

 

There has been talk and concern about tampon safety. One of the largest

circulating currently is whether tampons contain asbestos, rayon and

dioxin.

 

The rumor/claim goes on to state that these ingredients are why many

women get cervical cancer, womb tumors and bleed excessively. So, it

would be wise not to use them at all or if you must use them switch to

100% cotton and unbleached tampons and pads (although because they

aren't in direct contact with the vagina, they're not as dangerous.

 

The rumor/claim goes on to tell about each dangerous chemical in

tampons.

 

" 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. It also breaks down the

immune system. "

 

" Rayon contributes to the danger of tampons and dioxin because it is a

highly absorbent substance. Therefore, then 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. "

 

" Sweden, Germany, British Columbia, etc. have demanded a safer tampon.

 

Activists in England mounted a campaign against chlorine bleaching. Six

weeks and 50,000 letters later, the makers switched to oxygen bleaching

(one of green methods).

 

The U.S. has decided to keep us in the dark about it. "

 

 

A phone call to Johnson & Johnson was made and they claim that their

products are safe (what else are they going to say?). The woman from

Johnson & Johnson was very understanding and nice. She said that they

have been receiving many phone calls about this. She said they get spot

inspections and that they keep their products as safe as they can.

 

A look on the box or packaging, which tampons come in, should provide

and usually does, a phone number to use for more information. Also, on

the box or packaging are the ingredients used to make the product.

 

 

A better choice is not to use big absorbency tampons. Avoid products

that use terms such as 'Super Absorbency' or 'Plus Absorbency.' Try to

use 'Regular Absorbency.'

 

 

Johnson and Johnson's 'O.B.' Super Absorbency tampons contain rayon and

cotton fibers; polyethylene/polyester cover, and rayon or cotton string.

Their phone number: 1-800-526-3967

 

Kimberly Clark Corporation's 'Kotex Security Super Plus Absorbency' with

plastic applicator tampons, contain cotton and rayon; polypropylene

cover; rayon, polyester or cotton string. Their phone number:

1-800-544-1847 Weekdays 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. Web-site: www.kotex.com/

 

Find and use all cotton, unbleached tampons. Here are two good sources:

 

1. 'Organic Essentials' at http://www.organicessentials.com

They are a farmer owned company who grows and uses 100% certified

organic cotton and manufacture it into 100% certified organic cotton

tampons. They also offer cotton balls, swabs and cosmetic rounds, as

well as the digital and applicator tampons, ad cotton menstrual pads.

They do not use bleach, pesticides, fungicides or other chemicals.

 

2. 'NaturaCare'

 

There used to be another natural tampon product available;

'Terra-Femme.' They have went out of business though. Tampex Naturals is

another, yet it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find at drug

stores and department stores. If enough women start asking stores and

other places where they shop, to begin to carry these natural products,

they may.

 

 

" Mountain Rose " at www.botanical.com/mtrose/

Phone: 1-800-879-3337

 

They carry products such as: 100% certified cotton tampons. They use no

pesticides, fungicides, chlorine or other chemical. They also carry

certified organic AND colored cotton menstrual pads from " Natural

Choice. "

 

" Green Market Place " at www.GreenMarketPlace.com

Go to BODYCARE, then to FEMININE CARE.

 

They provide tampons, pads and liners which are natural, " made without

using chlorine or other harmful chemicals in the manufacturing process. "

 

 

" Health Well " at www.healthwell.com

Look for a list of references and articles on tampons here.

 

" NatraCare " at www.indra.com/natracare/

 

They provide a full line of non-chlorine bleached natural feminine

hygiene products called, " NatraCare. " Their tampons are all cotton. This

site also provides information on tampon safety, 'A Guide To Women's

Health Resources on the Internet,' and press coverage.

 

 

Some Dr.'s have said that tampons cannot be totally trusted. They say

that tampons are not fully sterilized.

 

Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for women to talk to their own Dr. and

see what they have to say about this topic. Maybe they have important

news too.

 

 

The FDA has a wealth of articles pertaining to tampons and other women's

hygiene products.

 

Although, keep in mind that there are some rumors circulating that the

FDA isn't always a trustworthy source

 

(remember their involvement concerning Genetically Engineered Foods).

 

Here is a particular article from the FDA web-site that talks about the

tampon and safety.

 

 

- A reference site which " claims " to provide the " real " scoop on a

variety of subjects, rumors, hoaxes, & etc.

 

Urban Legends provides information about this rumor/claim dealing with

tampons.

Their web-site: www.snopes.com/

To go straight to their write-up on the tampon safety rumor/claim:

www.snopes.com/toxins/tampon.htm

 

 

Tampon Safety & Research Act of 1999 (Introduced in the HOUSE)

 

'Ignorance of Toxic-Shock Syndrome has Experts Worried About a

Resurgence of the Disease' - Seattletimes Article

 

Tampon Comparison Chart - It comes from the web-site S.P.O.T. whose

mission is to " pull the plug on the tampon industry. "

 

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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