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asvenus
11-20-2004, 06:29 AM
sorry in advance for all the arrows!! :redface:

If you are a woman and use pads, but especially if you use tampons, read
this and pass it on to your friends. For the men receiving this email,
Please forward it to your friends, significant others, sisters, mothers,
daughters, etc. Thanks!
> >
> > Check the labels of the sanitary pads or tampons that you are going to buy
> > the next time and see whether you spot any of the familiar signs stated in
> > this email. No wonder so many women in the world suffer from cervical
> > cancer and womb tumors. Have you heard that tampon makers include asbestos
> > in tampons? Why would they do this?
> >
> > Because asbestos makes you bleed more, if you bleed more, you're going to
> > need to use more. Why isn't this against the law since asbestos is so
> > dangerous? Because the powers that be, in all their wisdom (not), did not
> > consider tampons as being ingested and, therefore, did not consider them
> > illegal or dangerous.
> >
> > This month's Essence magazine mentions 2 manufacturers of a cotton tampon
> > alternative. The companies are: Organic Essentials @ 1-800-765-6491 and
> > Terra Femme @ 1-800-755-0212.
> >
> > A woman getting her Ph.D. at University of Colorado sent the following: "I
> > am writing this because women are not being informed about the dangers of
> > something most of us use: Tampons. I am taking a class this month and I
> > have been learning a lot about biology and women, including feminine
> > hygiene. Recently we have learned that tampons are actually dangerous (for
> > other reasons than TSS). After learning about this in our class, most of
> > the females wound up feeling angry and upset with the tampon industry, and
> > I for one, am going to do something about it. To start, I want to inform
> > everyone I can, and email is the fastest way that I know how.
> >
> > HERE IS THE SCOOP: Tampons contain two things that are potentially
> > harmful:
> >
> > Rayon (for absorbency), and dioxin (a chemical used in bleaching). The
> > tampon industry is convinced that we, as women, need bleached white
> > products in order to view the product as pure and clean. The problem here
> > is that the dioxin, can lead to very harmful problems for a woman. Dioxin
> > is potentially carcinogenic (cancer-associated) and is toxic to the immune
> > and reproductive systems. It has also been linked to endometriosis and
> > lower sperm counts for men. For both sexes, it breaks down the immune
> > system.
> >
> > Last September, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that
> > there really is no "acceptable" level of exposure to dioxin given that it
is cumulative and slow to disintegrate. The real danger comes from
repeated contact (Karen Couppert "Pulling the Plug on the Tampon
Industry"). I'd say using about 4-5 tampons a day, five days a month, for
38 years is "repeated
contact", wouldn't you? Rayon contributes to the danger of tampons and
dioxin because it is a highly absorbent substance. Therefore, when fibers
from the tampons are left behind in the vagina (as usually occurs), it
creates a breeding ground for the dioxin. It also stays in a lot longer
that it would with just cotton tampons. This is also the reason why TSS
(toxic shock syndrome) occurs.


WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES? Using feminine hygiene products that aren't
bleached and that are all cotton. Other feminine hygiene products
(pads/napkins) contain dioxin as well, but they are not nearly as
dangerous. So, what can you do if you can't give up using tampons? Use
tampons that are made from 100% UNBLEACHED cotton.

Unfortunately, there are very few companies that make these safe tampons.
They are usually only found in health food stores. Countries all over the
world (Sweden, Germany,British Columbia, etc.) have demanded a switch to
this safer tampon, while the US has decided to keep us in the dark about
it. In 1989, activists in England mounted a campaign against chlorine
bleaching. Six weeks and 50,000 letters later, the makers of sanitary
products switched to oxygen bleaching (one of the green methods available)
(MS magazine, May/June 1995).

WHAT TO DO NOW: Tell people. Everyone. Inform them. We are being
manipulated by this industry and the government, let's do something about
it! Please write to the companies: Tampax (Tambrands); Playtex; O.B.;
Kotex. All the 800 numbers are listed on the boxes. Let them know that we
demand a safe product: ALL COTTON UNBLEACHED TAMPONS...

nonamerasian
11-20-2004, 10:12 AM
Is this true?

asvenus
11-20-2004, 10:14 AM
yes...

applehead
11-20-2004, 10:30 AM
Is this true?


hard to imagine. but it's very true.
this isn't the first time i've heard it.
although it IS the first time i've heard
of safer tampon alternatives.

thanks for the info!

nonamerasian
11-20-2004, 10:48 AM
Wow.

The only health issue I've ever heard about concerning pads or tampons is TSS.

asvenus
11-20-2004, 10:59 AM
...so many products designed for women only usage are dangerous and have severe health issues connected with them...it makes me sick that really women are simply either guinea pigs or cash cows for these massive companies that get fatter and fatter....

this is just sick tho...asbestos!?!?! im sure its not the worst or the last thing tho

ism
11-20-2004, 11:05 AM
Urban Legend...

- How qualified is "a woman getting her PhD" (in some program, maybe Basket Weaving) to make the statements presented? She doesn't even want to attach her name to the claim...
- "This month's Essense magazine" -- which month is this? Or year, for that matter?
- Putting asbestos in products is against the law from many products, especially for products that touch the skin.
- and the FDA had to issue a statement that there is no asbestos in tampons because of this e-mail forward. They also talk about dioxins here: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/tamponsabs.html (from 1999)
- Rayon is used and it's better than cotton since it doesn't stick and leave fibers behind.

I donno. Maybe I have my BS detector turned all the way up. But there are the classic giveaways (via email, no date, poor/anonymous sources, no way to verify the sources) that should lead you straight to a Google search (http://www.google.com/search?q=tampon+asbestos).

Anyway, sorry for intruding on the women's forum...

asvenus
11-20-2004, 11:15 AM
as much as i would love to think this is some kind of sick joke i seriously dont think so..this is not the first instance where women have been used and abused just look at the pill and thalidomide treatments...we already know that TSS exists so is this that far to believe....

rayon may not leave fibres behind but add to that its a dangerous synthetic material which used in various other products completely unrealated to the body and as for asbestos, i dunno maybe i am too jaded and cynical but i really dont think any companies would particularly put womens health b4 profit but crazier things have happened.... :rolleyes:

missmeow
11-20-2004, 11:39 AM
Total urban legend. Please read snopes.

http://www.snopes.com/toxins/tampon.htm

applehead
11-20-2004, 12:26 PM
Wow.

The only health issue I've ever heard about concerning pads or tampons is TSS.

i've never heard about the
asbestos thing before but
the bit about the chlorine i've
heard is very unsafe.
especially when exposed to a
such a sensitive part of your body.

Green_Jade
11-24-2004, 09:01 PM
We should empower women, not scare them..

Faithless
11-24-2004, 10:22 PM
Total urban legend. Please read snopes.

http://www.snopes.com/toxins/tampon.htm
You know, if I was a mean person, I would de-karma a person for posting spam that has been out there for about six or seven years. :rolleyes:

lethal
11-24-2004, 10:54 PM
Trust me, as someone who has worked with asbestos lawsuits, if tampons had asbestos in them, tampon companies would have had the hell sued out of them for years.

Asbestos is highly regulated by the federal government for all uses and banned altogether for most uses. In fact, most asbestos manufacturers are completely out of business becasue of all the lawsuits.

Sorry to intrude in the women's forum.

nola
11-24-2004, 11:13 PM
The best thing is to use rubber menstrual cups which last up to ten years. Great for the environment, your budget and I haven't heard of any health hazards. Lunapads is owned by a Chinese-Canadian woman to boot.

Men should be welcome as long as they are respectful.

edit: Lunapads changed their website. The Lins (a daughter and her mother) started the company and the company is huge now.

ism
11-24-2004, 11:15 PM
We should empower women, not scare them..I hate to say this but I think this spam has an ulterior motive. A lot of people think tampons are bad for several reasons, and one of the more common ones I've heard from the Religion Right is that it takes virginity away (http://www.google.com/search?q=tampons+virginity). As ridiculous that sounds it's something I heard and read more often than I'd like. The way this spam is worded is purely Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD), which is mixed with total lies to back it up. Donno who started it, an individual, a joker, a religious wacko, a maxipad employee, who knows?

Now, no reason to hate on the messenger. The email is worded slickly and it's meant to convince someone. The reasonable thing to do is to correct the ignorance. There's an evil here, and it's not the person that unknowingly spreads the lies. It's the root, and we can't track that down.

If anyone ever gets an email that they are not sure is true, I implore them to ask someone else (like us) if you are not capable of determining it yourself. There is nothing wrong with being suckered in if you're willing to correct it, and the fact that you search for help is proof that ultimately, you want the truth, and that's what matters.

Sorry if my initial response wasn't as polite as could be.

YuheiCarreau
11-24-2004, 11:47 PM
The best thing is to use rubber menstrual cups which last up to ten years. Great for the environment, your budget and I haven't heard of any health hazards. Lunapads is owned by a Chinese-Canadian woman to boot.

Men should be welcome as long as they are respectful.

edit: Lunapads changed their website. The Lins (a daughter and her mother) started the company and the company is huge now.

Is it safe to use something like that over and over, though? How do you clean it - with regular soap? Throw it in the dishwasher? Antibacterial soap (which could cause problems, considering where you put it)?

nola
11-25-2004, 07:38 AM
Vinegar and water or soap and warm water.

applehead
11-25-2004, 10:55 AM
my god, i'm so gulliable.

so tampons don't contain cotton
or bleached products?

asvenus
11-25-2004, 01:48 PM
You know, if I was a mean person, I would de-karma a person for posting spam that has been out there for about six or seven years. :rolleyes:

be mean all you want..but i would prefer to know that ive been 'suckered' in and helped to warn someone rather than thinking oh its all crap and it turns out to be true ya know :rolleyes:

and to be honest, anything that has do with big corporations fucking women over, im pretty inclined to believe..call me cynical :wink: its not like worse doesnt happen everyday!!

im sorry for posting it but im not wel versed with all the stuff that floats around on the net and it was sent to me by a friend so i had no reason to doubt...anyway just thought its better to be safe than sorry :smile:

deez nuts
11-25-2004, 02:40 PM
let's not get testy at asvenus.

i'm sure she had the best intentions in mind.

besides she's not herself because she wants me. but, i haven't reciprocated the same feelings.

asvenus
11-26-2004, 02:42 PM
let's not get testy at asvenus.

i'm sure she had the best intentions in mind.

besides she's not herself because she wants me. but, i haven't reciprocated the same feelings.

:rolleyes: ...ladies surely you all see the appeal :tongue:

Kuchana
11-26-2004, 02:45 PM
Regardless of anything, I've been using tampons as less as possible and will continue to do so. I remember when I was reading that stuff about TSS when I first started wearing tampons and it scared the crap out of me.

missmeow
11-26-2004, 05:00 PM
asvenus: I run everything through snopes before I believe it. They have just about everything from the tampons thing to the "don't use your cell phone while pumping gas or you will blow up" thing :)

Faithless
11-26-2004, 05:45 PM
...
They have just about everything from the tampons thing to the "don't use your cell phone while pumping gas or you will blow up" thing :)
Yah see, I'm inclined to continue that one, because I can't stand to see people pump gas and talk on their damn cellphones. :rolleyes:

applehead
11-26-2004, 07:25 PM
Regardless of anything, I've been using tampons as less as possible and will continue to do so. I remember when I was reading that stuff about TSS when I first started wearing tampons and it scared the crap out of me.

yeah same here.
i use it maybe once a month.
sometimes i don't even bother.
i'm wary.

Green_Jade
11-26-2004, 07:40 PM
yeah same here.
i use it maybe once a month.
sometimes i don't even bother.
i'm wary.

I don't use it at all.... i generally feel too bloated and icky to have anything urm..yeah :tongue:

missmeow
11-26-2004, 11:12 PM
pads are so gross. i can't stand them.

has anyone tried the diva cup? i've heard good things about it, but i am a bit scared to try...

http://www.divacup.com/

asvenus
11-27-2004, 01:29 PM
I don't use it at all.... i generally feel too bloated and icky to have anything urm..yeah :tongue:

yup yup ..im there witcha girl im there!! :eek:

oh god how gullible do i feel..i thought that mobile thing was true aswell, in the UK we actually have signs at petrol stations warning drivers to turn off phones and stuff!!

yeah tamps are :eek: lets say not for me...this 'cup' thing, i have got the wierdest image of it...i dont understand how it can be hygenic or comfortable :confused: it looks wierd...the website is more scary than reassuring(the testimonlials!!)

i think its BS that we have to pay for pads anyway...grrrr :mad:

missmeow
11-27-2004, 05:23 PM
I know they have something similar in the UK too called the "mooncup." I've heard nothing but raves about the thing, but I dunno about having to "go fishing" to get it out. The materials are non-porus, so they're hygenic and won't leave you "dry." I guess when you think about it, it's no different than using a diaphragm but I don't use those so...I guess it takes practice?

nonamerasian
11-27-2004, 05:49 PM
I'm too chicken to try the cup.

It looks like it'd be awkward to take out.

I use tampons, but I'm still wary that it might get stuck up there one day, lol.

I'm just a 'phobe.

nola
11-27-2004, 05:57 PM
i highly recommend the keeper. for me at least, it's been so minimal, efficient and easy to use.

i haven't used it lately because my periods only last a few days and i end up using paper. i'm earthy although my sis-in-law says "earthy" can be a euphemism for "gross".

www.thekeeper.com

asvenus
12-03-2004, 04:22 PM
is it seriously that great...i just cant believe it doesnt leak and shit...i dont know what makes me feel uncomfortable about it...maybe the thought of having a blood filled cup in the vagina..yep thats it...it just grosses me out...but i am intrigued!! i like the idea of using something environmentally friendly, i dont use tampons anyway but i come on REALLY heavy and clotty...would you still recommned it...doesnt it all swish back 'up inside' you when you go about daily business?? argh sorry for all the q's just genuinely intrigued!!

nola
12-03-2004, 04:30 PM
never leaked tor me but i've heard it leaks for some. no swishing whatsoever because you bleed less than you think unless you know you bleed alot more than most women. even if you do just empty it several times a day. i empty it several times a day just out of curiosity. i used it yesterday and today and what fun.

nonamerasian
12-03-2004, 04:32 PM
Can you feel it when playing sports or doing other activities?

nola
12-03-2004, 05:51 PM
no it feels like a tampon. of course it's better than a tampon for swimming: sealed and waterproof!

missmeow
12-03-2004, 09:42 PM
If it leaks, you're supposed to get the bigger size.

nola
12-03-2004, 09:47 PM
there are two sizes: one for those who haven't given birth (reg) and one for those who have (large).

nola
12-04-2004, 12:10 PM
ah another period without wasting any paper, polluting the environment, wasting a cent or any messes. some gained self-knowledge and presto.

applehead
12-04-2004, 12:16 PM
i'm going to look into the keeper.
i have really sensitive skin and pads
give me diaper rash. then i'm forced
to use tampons, which i don't particularly
like.

nola
12-04-2004, 12:28 PM
i hope it works for you.