(no subject)

[shellyday.livejournal.com]

Tampon safety and research act
(Proposed)
Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1999
(Introduced in the House)
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January, 2001
Mrs. MALONEY o f New York (for herself, Mr.WAXMAN, Mr. BROWN of California, Ms. NORTON, Mr. FORD, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. FROST, MrKENNEDY of Rhode Island, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Ms. KILPATRICK, Ms. LEE, Mr. MATSUI, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. MILLENDER-M C DONALD, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. SANDLIN, Mr. SHOWS, Mrs. THURMAN,and Mrs. JONES of Ohio) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Commerce

A BILL

To provide for research to d et ermine the extent to which the presence of dioxin, synthetic fibers, and other additives in tampons and similar products used by women with respect to menstruation pose any risks to the health of women,including risks
relating to cervical cancer, en dom etriosis, infertility, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, immune system deficiencies, pelvic inflammatory disease, and toxic shock syndrome, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of Am eri ca i n Congress assembled,

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows:

(1) Tampons are used by approximately 73,000,000 women in the United States today, and the average woman may use as many as 16,800 tampons in her lifetime. A woman on est roge n rep lacement therapy may use as many as 24,360 tampons in her lifetime.

(2) The Environmental Protection Agency and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of the World Health Organization, have concluded that dioxins are a proba ble h uman carcinogen (cancer causing agent)

(3) Dioxin is a byproduct of chlorine-bleaching processes used in the manufacture of paper products, including tampons, sanitary pads, panty liners, and diapers.

(4) While bleaching processes that do not pro duce dioxin in any amount are available, most pulp and paper manufacturers, which produce the raw materials used in tampons, currently use either elemental-chlorine or chlorine-dioxide bleaching
processes. Both of these bleaching processes use chlorin e and theref ore produce dioxin.

(5) The effects of dioxin from various sources are cumulative and can be measured 20 to 30 years after exposure. Women may be exposed to dioxin in tampons and other menstrual products for as long as 60 years over the co urse o f their reproductive lives.

(6) Intern al documents of the Food and Drug Administration suggest the agency has not adequately investigated the danger of dioxin in tampons, according to a 1992 staff report of a subcommittee of the Committee on Go vernmen t Oper ations of the House of Represe ntatives.

(7) The Food and Drug Administration has historically relied on data provided by manufacturers of feminine hygiene products in determining product safety.

(8) Although the Food and Drug Administ ration c urrently requires tampon manufacturers to monitor dioxin levels in their finished products, the information is not readily available to the public.

(9) Recent studies have produced conflicting information about the link between dioxin exposure and incr eased ri sks for endometriosis.

(10) The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that people with high levels of exposure to dioxins may be at risk for other non-cancer effects that could suppress the immune system, increase the risk of pelvic inf lammatory disease,
reduce fertility, and interfere with fetal and childhood development.

(11) An independent study in 1991 found that tampons commonly included one or more of the following additives: Chlorine compounds, absorbency
enhancers (such as surfacta nts like polysorbate-20), n atural and synthetic fibers (such as cotton, rayon, polyester, and polyacrylate), deodorant, and fragrance.

(12) Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) has been linked to tampon use and the absorbency of the tampon. TSS is a ra re bacterial illness that occurs mo stly in menstruating women. During 1979 and 1980, the syndrome was responsible for at least 55 deaths and 1,066 nonfatal cases.

(13) In response to a 1988 lawsuit, the Food and Drug Administration has required tamp ons to be labeled with reference to a n absorbency standard (e.g., super tampons must absorb between 9 and 12 grams of liquid).

(14) Independent research has shown that synthetic fiber additives in tampons amplify toxin production, which is associated with toxic shock syndrome.

The proposed bill goes on to say what should be done. For the complete bill go to:

http://thomas.loc.gov/ go ther and type in tampon.