NAFDAC Checks Sanitary Pads Over Concerns About Harmful Chemicals

(Sanitary Pads. Photo Credit: TheCable)

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control says it has started investigating the safety of disposable sanitary pads following concerns over potentially harmful chemicals in some products.

It has also begun assessing volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs, in selected pads that already have marketing authorisation.

The agency said this followed worries over a 2024 study on VOCs in sanitary pads sold in Nigeria.

The study was done by researchers from the Nigerian Defence Academy and published in the Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences.

It looked at 65 samples and found 20 VOCs.

NAFDAC said it is also looking into a complaint about a named sanitary pad.

The product has been sampled for lab tests on safety, including microbial limit and skin irritation.

It explained that sanitary pads are Class I medical devices and must meet rules on registration, lab evaluation, manufacturing and post-market surveillance.

The agency uses the Nigerian Industrial Standard, NIS 291, set by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, to assess them.

It also rejected claims that it does not test sanitary pads, saying it tests products submitted for approval and those sampled from the market.

Manufacturers must meet quality-management requirements, and labels are reviewed so consumers get the information they need for safe use.

On VOCs, NAFDAC said it is assessing some registered products and studying how countries like South Korea monitor and reduce VOCs in menstrual products.

This could lead to more steps such as VOC testing and monitoring, limits on substances of concern, disclosure of fragrances and other ingredients, and tighter post-market checks.

It said any new rules will be based on scientific evidence, risk assessment and talks with stakeholders.

The agency said registered pads in its Greenbook remain under monitoring throughout their life cycle.

It added that it is reviewing new scientific evidence and will strengthen its rules where needed, with public health as its priority.

The move follows fresh worries on social media, where some women reported itching, burning and other reactions after using certain brands.