Sanitary Pads - Problems in Waste Management Hazards to Environment and Human Health

Dr.V.V.Karunakaran

Formerly: Scientist/Engineer G- Head, (Application Development/ Propellant Fuel Complex),Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre/Dy Proj.Director,CUSP-C-20 (ISRO)

Former Principal, Engineering Colleges, (MGCE, Thiruvallam;MCET,Pathanamthitta; SNGCE, Kanhangad, Sarabhai Inst.of Science & Technology )

President, Space Engineers Welfare Society

Director (Academics)Sarabhai Inst.of Science & Technology, Vellanad,Trivandrum

Hygienic management of menstruation is important for health of women, sanitation, hygiene and reproductive health. Currently, it is estimated that nearly 36% of 336 million menstruating women in India use sanitary napkins and similar products. It is estimated that 121 million women and adolescent girls use on average eight sanitary napkins every month in India; annually, this number shoots to 113,000 tons of menstrual waste generated, with a large percentage of it ending up in landfill sites or waterbodies. When sanitary pads enter landfills or pits, hazardous and toxic chemicals seep into the soil. Some of the chemicals from menstrual waste may lead to toxic emission, groundwater pollution and loss of soil fertility, and also microplastic pollution. The plastic containing pads can take up to 500 years to break down, release toxic chemicals into the environment over a period of time along with generating microplastics that threaten our ecosystem.

Sanitary pads began to be made of Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) as an absorbent material, with Polyethylene (PE) for back cover. This made it waterproof. The polypropylene top sheet kept it dry. Today's sanitary pads are almost entirely from plastic material.The generation of such high quantity sanitary pad waste creates stress on the waste management sector and poses a challenge for its safe disposal. Therefore, at community levels, disposal techniques that are on-site, quick, safe and hygienic need to be prioritised.

Sanitary napkins can neither be reused nor recycled.

Sanitary waste management poses an immense threat to human health, land, and water bodies. Segregating the menstrual waste from the solid waste is difficult, time-consuming and challenging. Sanitation workers and waste pickers are unknowingly exposed to viruses and harmful micro-organisms such as E.coli, Salmonella, HIV, pathogens etc.

Owing to their non-biodegradable nature, they take a very long time to decompose completely, reducing usable land.

Further, they also clog sewage pipelines and often need frequent manual cleaning of blocks.

Incineration of Sanitary Pads and super absorbent polymers (SAP) with high moisture content must be done at 750 °C -1000°C, to help reduce Dioxins, carcinogenic air emissions, Total Particulate Matter (TPM), CO, SO2, and NOx standards under Waste Management Rules, 2016 (CPCB). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that health-related trash be burned at high temperatures (over 800°C) to transform it into comparatively innocuous gas and incombustible solid waste, such as ash,57 which can then be disposed of in authorised ash pits or controlled landfills. However, burning sanitary waste at low temperatures (via local incinerators, open burning, etc.) may further increase the problem. Due to the presence of high amounts of plasticisers as well as bleached cotton there is an ever-increasing risk of the emission of noxious, toxic gas. Furthermore, these harmful gases can travel a long distance from the place of emission, thus impacting not only the health of the population residing near these places, but in far and wide areas as well.

Even though there are various options, sanitary pads are still frequently favoured. In some studies it has been observed, women are more susceptible to the negative effects of the chemicals and components in sanitary pads because they are exposed to them for an extended period of time. New studies have pointed, the product which is intended to give a better lifestyle now has raised concerns about causing cancer and infertility.

According to Dr. Nikhil Ghadyalpatil, Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist & Hemato Oncologist, Yeshoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, Sanitary Pads can cause Cancer. Reasons are phthalates, found in sanitary napkins, are known to cause reproductive toxicity and are also considered potentially carcinogenic. VOCs employed as perfumes, softeners,adsorbents, adhesives, binders in pads may contain traces of Benzene,

These products are absorbed 18–20 times more through the vagina than through the oral mucosa. They may enter the systemic circulation after being absorbed. It’s critical to realise that exposure to these substances in excess may increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. By interfering with female hormones like oestrogen, they may eventually cause problems including irregular menstruation.

VOCs are employed as perfumes, softeners, adsorbents, adhesives, and binders in menstruation products.

1,4-Dioxane is a heterocyclic organic compound, classified as an ether. It is a colorless liquid with a faint sweet odor similar to that of diethyl ether (BP-101 deg C).

Furan is a monocyclic heteroarene with a structure consisting of a 5-membered ring containing four carbons and one oxygen, with formula C4H4O. It is a toxic, flammable, low-boiling (31℃) colourless liquid

A number of VOCs are also added to the sanitary pads to produce a “feeling of freshness.” Aside from being carcinogenic, they may also be linked to a variety of other known or suspected side effects, including damage to the reproductive system, liver, kidney, and respiratory systems, as well as irritation of the eyes, skin, and nose. Not all products with the labels “organic” and “for sensitive skin” are healthyl because they could still include VOCs. Several VOCs that are regarded as harmful are present in the majority of Indian items, but in varied amounts.

Precautions to be taken:

Frequent changing of pad

Go for organic pads

Do not go for sanitary pads with fragrance

Observe good hygiene and keep your genital area tidy

Watch out for any itching or rashes near your vagina

Try using menstrual cups.

It is always advisable to visit your gynaecologist for routine checkups.

Improper disposal of sanitary products

Conclusion

It is regrettable that the majority of sanitary pads do not undergo optimal VOC testing. The majority of information on them is not easily accessible. Many of them are bleached in order to look white and clean, which may entail dangerous dioxin. Additionally, disposing of sanitary pads in India is not eco-friendly because the majority of these goods are finally burnt, releasing dioxins and furans into the air that are harmful and may pose as a potential threat to human lives.