Review on hazardous potential, disposal, pollution, and user behavior associated with the use of sanitary pads in the Indian context.

Abstract

The National Family Health reports that approximately 70% of females living in urban areas and 48% females in rural India use sanitary napkins. Each woman uses average eight of these non-biodegradable napkins in a single cycle of 28-35 days, 121 million users generating a waste load of 1.021 billion pads monthly in India. The annual disposal of 12.3 billion pads produces 113,000 tons of menstrual waste, of which 98% ends up in landfill polluting our natural resources. Globally, many researchers are working on this major concern and less attention being paid to this problem in India. This review paper aims to study the fate and environmental impact of sanitary napkins disposal. The study highlights much needed shift in promoting organic or reusable materials for making sanitary napkins. In India, less data is available on the use of menstrual hygiene products till 2014. However, in 2015, National Family and Health Survey (NFHS) took it up to include this topic in their survey, and data was published in 2018. This enabled researcher to understand the nature and scale of the problem. Organic solvents present in sanitary pad, according to this study, may enhance several health concerns including reproductive, cardiovascular, immunological, and neurological impacts. Due to dearth of research, more comprehensive study could help to improve Indian women's health. The present review may be of help for authorities in policy making regarding the safe manufacturing, usage, and disposal of sanitary napkins.