Why Choose
Organic Tampons?

Wouldn't organic tampons be a better choice for somthing that comes in to contact with delicate tissues of our body on a regular basis?

It has been estimated that we can use as much as 9,000 tampons in our lifetimes. I thought this was an exageration but do the math. As an example, 4 tampons for 6 days, 12 months a year for 30 years is 8,640. That's a lot of tampons.

So what's the biggest problem with tampons?

Most tampons are made from a cotton or rayon-cotton blend. Rayon is a synthetic fiber that is made from wood pulp. It is highly absorbent and it does it's job well in our tampons.

Cotton while a so called natural fiber may have been bio-enginered and grown with a mess of pesicides, fertilizers and fungicides [See organic cotton ]. Both of these fibers undergo a bleaching process before being made into tampons and even though this process has been improved to try and eliminate dioxins, trace levels are still being found.

Dioxins

Dioxins are an environmental pollutant and known carcinogenic by product of bleaching and manufacturing processes. It is now being found in our soil, air and water. According to the FDA, this may explain how rayon and cotton may still contain some dioxin. Some groups think even the improved bleaching techniques may contribute to some of the dioxins.

The FDA says that levels of dioxin are so low, it is not a cause for concern. But some doctor's and other groups are not so sure and are concerned about the cumulative effect of even tiny amounts of dioxins coming in to contact month after month with a very absorbent part of our body. No one knows for sure.

According to the National Research Center for Women and Families, dioxin was found in several brands of tampons and at least one 100% cotton brand. Companies are required to test and report dioxin levels to the FDA.

We can purchase organic tampons or pads that are 100% certified organic cotton, do not contain any synthetic materials such as rayon or chemical additives like fragrances and either no bleaching or non-chlorine bleaching such as hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide has not been found to create dioxins. The elimination of chlorine bleaching to treat fibers and all the chemicals needed to grow conventional cotton helps improve things for both us and the environment.

I have used tampon products for years and did not make the switch to organic tampons until a few years ago. I had to experiment with a few brands until I found one I could be happy with. I believe the absence of rayon and it's high absorbency has been a problem.

While not perfect I have found Natracare to be the most effective. Natracare can be purchased at most health food stores and quite a few online sources but check out their website, you'll find quite a bit of interesting information about safe feminine protection.

My purchase of organic tampons is part of my plan for removing as many unnessary chemicals as I can from my life for myself, family and the environment. Let's see 8,640 organic tampons per woman, not bad.

Back to natural personal care from organic tampons.
Back to homepage from organic tampons