FIBER LOSS IN TAMPONS IS AN ISSUE OF CONCERN

Natracare championed the issue of fiber loss back in the 90’s as a result of concerns raised by both users of tampons ad nurses.  Conventional tampons made from mostly rayon with a small percentage of conventional cotton, or made from 100% rayon, were the worst offenders for fiber loss.

Manufactures who at first denied the fiber loss issue, quickly moved to place a synthetic over-wrap material around their tampons to prevent the inner core of fibers falling away.  The choice of material, however, was polypropylene, a material derived from crude oil.  This did reduce some of the fiber loss, but did not eradicate it.

Natracare did not have an issue with fiber loss as the tampon is made from 100% organic cotton, a wavy-construction fiber that easily interlocks itself unlike rayon, which, like straight hair, does not entangle itself together.  Because of this, the rayon fibers easily slide apart from each other, shedding into the vagina.  Apart from the hygiene issues of fibers remaining in the vagina, there are also implications for bacterial colonization, which can contribute to vaginal infections.

Because we only use certified organic cotton in our tampons, in the construction of the applicator style tampons, we need to sew the withdrawal cord to the tampon.  In order for us to do this, we use an overwrap made from 100% certified organic cotton.  Conventional tampons use polypropylene as an overwrap, which can be heated to melt the overwrap to the tampon core.  This is because the polypropylene is a plastic nonwoven material, which melts like regular plastic does.  Not good for the environment because it is made from crude oil and it does not biodegrade.

The Dip Test

This is an easy demonstration to set up in your store and is most effective in conveying this message to your customers.

1. Take two clear glasses and fill with warm or cold water
2. Unwrap the tampon and unfurl the string
3. Place each tampon into a glass, leaving the string hanging over the lip of the glass
4. After the tampon has swollen, agitate the tampon in the water and observe hat happens.
5. If you leave the tampon for a few hours, it becomes totally saturated and the fibers fall away from the tampon in greater quantities.

Nurses conducting smear tests on female patients tell us that they can tell which of these women use tampons as they need to first remove shed tampon fibers from around the cervix before they are able to obtain a clear sample.

Conventional tampon manufacturers denied that fiber loss was an issue for women, claiming that the body would naturally dispose of the fibers.  Clearly, on the evidence of nurses’ testimonies, this is not normally the case.