Target: Dr. Robert Califf, Commissioner of U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Goal: Ensure women are not exposed to toxins from menstrual products.
A product that many women use thousands of times during their lives may contain dangerous contaminants harmful to health. A scientific journal recently published a report that evaluated dozens of popular tampon brands. Each of the brands’ tampons reportedly contained toxic metals like arsenic and lead. Such toxins are linked a host of concerning health ailments, including brain, liver, kidney, and heart damage.
After political pressure, the primary regulator of these products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), agreed to commission studies that evaluated these potential dangers. Yet calls for even stronger action long predate this consequential study. Since the FDA classifies tampons as medical devices, they are not subject to the same strict standards as other consumer products. For one, manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients of tampons. Further, manufacturers are not required to test for or even keep certain contaminants out of their products.
Sign the petition below to demand this regulator take more decisive action to protect consumers.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Dr. Califf,
While the FDA-commissioned studies involving tampons and toxic metals are a good start, these long-overdue endeavors should not be the end of this agency’s actions on a product routinely used by millions of women. Studies take time, and acting on results could delay protections for consumers even longer. This industry has managed to avoid the scrutiny placed upon other industries, and this damaging double standard must end.
Clear and transparent ingredient labeling and rigorous product contaminant testing for feminine hygiene products should not be recommendations. They should be concrete requirements that enhance safety standards for all consumers.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: TitiNicola
2 Signatures