You are here:
EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT TO DIOXINS FROM THE USE OF TAMPONS AND DIAPERS
Citation:
DeVito, M J. AND A. Schecter. EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT TO DIOXINS FROM THE USE OF TAMPONS AND DIAPERS . ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Research Triangle Park, NC, 110(1):23-8, (2002).
Impact/Purpose:
To estimate exposure to dioxins through the use of tampons and infant diapers and compare these exposures to dietary dioxin exposures.
Description:
Exposure Assessment to Dioxins from the Use of Tampons and Diapers
Michael J. DeVito and Arnold Schecter
Abstract
Methods: Four brands of tampons and four brands of infant diapers were analyzed for dioxin concentrations. Exposures to dioxins were modeled using partition coefficients to estimate bioavailability.
Results: None of the products contained 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, the most potent dioxin, though other dioxin congeners were present at detectable concentrations in all samples. Minimal differences were observed in the concentrations of dioxins between 100% cotton and cotton/pulp products. The use of more realistic exposure assumptions indicate that daily exposures to dioxins from tampons are approximately 11,000 ? 200,000 times less than daily dietary exposures. Using a more realistic exposure scenario, estimates of daily exposure to dioxins from the diet is over 400,000 times the daily exposure through diapers in nursing infants.
Conclusion: While dioxins are found in trace amounts in both cotton and pulp sanitary products, exposure to dioxins through tampons and diapers do not significantly contribute to the total dioxin exposure in the United States.