MPs have called for regulatory changes to be explored, including possible amendments to make the criteria of the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) compulsory, as well as for continuous testing and monitoring of all sanitary products, reports The Star.
This comes after scientists’ and the National Health Department’s reassurances that the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) detected in sanitary pads and panty liners tested by the University of the Free State posed no health risk.
The findings had initially raised countrywide alarm.
However, the UFS team said the common chemicals are found in dozens of household items and the levels were below established European safety thresholds, with this being confirmed by numerous experts.
Last week Parliament also moved to calm public fears, after the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities received briefings from both UFS and the SABS on research into the chemicals, both of whom reiterated the lack of risk from the products.
SABS, supported by guidance from the Department of Health, said that EDCs are commonly found in many everyday items, and their presence does not automatically translate to harm.
The committee was concerned, though, about inconsistent adherence to safety standards, warning that the current system of voluntary compliance could leave consumers exposed.
Committee chairperson Liezl van der Merwe said urgent intervention was needed to protect women’s health and dignity, and that the lack of mandatory SABS compliance “must be addressed”.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
SA experts reassure women after ‘chemicals in pads’ scare
SA sanitary pad suppliers probed after study finds harmful chemicals