Many diseases of the female reproductive system may be linked to the toxicity of consumer products, including cosmetics and hygiene items that women regularly use. This is stated in a report by UN independent expert Marcos Orellana, as reported by UNN.
The expert emphasizes in his new report that healthcare systems are not designed to help individuals protect their physical and mental health from the harmful effects of toxic substances.
The report primarily addresses the gender aspects of the impact of toxic materials on human health, noting that the findings are not encouraging: women suffer significantly more than men.
Orellana, who serves as the Special Rapporteur on the implications of the regulation and disposal of hazardous substances and waste for human rights, asserts that the production of toxic products for women, such as "scented" pads, may partially stem from sexist stereotypes and gender biases. Moreover, medicine is primarily focused on men, while women's diseases caused by the use of toxic products receive insufficient attention.
Medicine is focused on men
The expert highlights that medical standards are largely designed with men in mind. In 2020, only one percent of medical research and innovations pertained to exclusively female diseases (excluding oncological issues). Furthermore, women's needs in treating hormonal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, reproductive system issues, and mental health disorders differ from those of men.
It is noted that healthcare professionals are less inclined to believe women and often disregard their complaints. This includes women suffering from diseases caused or exacerbated by toxic substances.
Toxic substances and women's gynecological diseases
One of the chronic gynecological diseases affecting millions of women worldwide, characterized by a complex set of symptoms including pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and infertility, is endometriosis. The incidence of this condition is rapidly increasing, and some studies suggest that it may be linked to exposure to toxic substances, including dioxins.
Women with endometriosis not only endure severe pain but also face skepticism from doctors and often wait a long time for a diagnosis.
It has been reported that one of the primary causes of infertility among women is polycystic ovary syndrome, which is often associated with the impact of toxic chemicals on the endocrine system. The effects of such exposure can be felt across several generations. Between 8 to 13% of women of reproductive age suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome, with 70% of them being unaware of their condition.
Another rapidly spreading women's disease is uterine fibroids. Research findings indicate a potential link to phthalates found in consumer products, including food packaging.
Toxic substances, menstruation, and female reproductive organs
The health of women, particularly their reproductive health, can be adversely affected by biases related to menstruation, female reproductive organs, and femininity in general.
Menstruation is often a taboo subject. Moreover, women's genitalia are especially vulnerable to toxic substances, as the skin in these areas has a unique absorption capacity.
It has been reported that many manufacturers exploit prejudices about unpleasant vaginal odors during menstruation, adding harmful chemical fragrances to sanitary pads under this pretext. As another solution to this fabricated problem, women are often advised to use douching, exposing their bodies to harmful chemicals found in some douches, including phthalates.
In a recent study, lead and arsenic, known carcinogens, were found in women's pads. Authors of another study estimated that an average pad releases 9.4 billion nanoplastics.
The report also notes that some new menstrual products, such as specially designed reusable underwear, may contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
Meanwhile, the issue of the toxicity of menstrual hygiene products is largely overlooked, and governments in most countries take no action to ensure consumers can easily access information about the ingredients in the products they use.
Toxic substances, beauty, and advertising
A woman's social status often depends on how attractive, professional, and youthful she appears. Consequently, women use various cosmetic products more frequently than men.
The problem is exacerbated by the lack of proper labeling of cosmetic products in many cases, including accurate information about their ingredients. For example, a review of 362 products for the presence of triclosan, parabens, and other chemicals harmful to the endocrine system, conducted by organizations from eight Asian countries, revealed that the labeling of many of them lacks complete or reliable information, with some containing high levels of dangerous chemicals.
Some hair straightening products still contain formaldehyde, a carcinogenic substance. A large-scale study focusing on such products, primarily used by women of African descent, identified an associated increased risk of uterine cancer.
In a recent study conducted in Trinidad and Tobago, 19 over-the-counter skin-lightening creams were tested, revealing that mercury was present in 16 of them, with six exceeding the maximum levels established by the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and three reaching critical levels. Mercury exposure can lead to dermatological problems, neurological disorders, and kidney issues.
Additionally, as noted by the Special Rapporteur, manufacturing companies selectively fund research that benefits them or manipulate data to downplay the risks associated with their products, misleading the public and authorities and hindering the promotion of safer alternative products.
Recommendations from the Special Rapporteur
Orellana offers a series of recommendations for states. In his view, they should, among other things, adjust the "standards" of toxicity for consumer goods and the concentrations of harmful substances within them, ban certain toxic materials, better inform the public, including on measures to reduce exposure to toxic substances and their harms, taking gender factors into account.
Countries can also establish requirements for proper product labeling, regulate advertising practices, take steps to educate healthcare workers about the negative consequences of toxic substances on human health, fund research on the effects of toxic substances on the health of women and men, and actively consult with women.