By Mapaballo Borotho
- Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says studies show there is no clinical harm linked to sanitary products containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
- The statement follows concerns raised after a University of the Free State study found some pads and panty liners contain chemicals linked to possible health complications.
- Motsoaledi says there’s no need for these products to be removed, meaning they will continue to be sold at retail stores.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says further studies have shown that there is no clinical harm in using sanitary products containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are sold in South Africa.
This comes after a commotion, with women calling for the National Consumer Commission and the government to remove such products from retail shops, following a study by the University of the Free State.
The study found that some sanitary pads and panty liners contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as parabens, phthalates and bisphenols.
These chemicals have been linked to female health complications including infertility, hormonal imbalance, endometriosis and certain cancers.
Motsoaledi says 20 publications were produced about endocrine-disrupting chemicals in sanitary pads.
He says endocrine chemicals are found everywhere and it is not possible to remove them.
“All twenty studies have not demonstrated any inference of clinical harm to the people using these products. And again, we want to repeat that endocrine-disrupting chemicals are found all over where human beings are,” he said.
Even though it has not been confirmed, this means the sanitary products will continue to be sold at South African retail stores.
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