[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5957 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5957
To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program of
research regarding the risks posed by the presence of dioxins,
phthalates, pesticides, chemical fragrances, and other components of
menstrual products and intimate care products.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 13, 2023
Ms. Meng (for herself, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Chu, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms.
Moore of Wisconsin, Ms. Schakowsky, and Ms. Crockett) introduced the
following bill
October 25, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program of
research regarding the risks posed by the presence of dioxins,
phthalates, pesticides, chemical fragrances, and other components of
menstrual products and intimate care products.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Robin Danielson Menstrual Product
and Intimate Care Product Safety Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) Menstrual products and intimate care products are
widely used in the United States today, but there is not enough
research on the safety of or potential chemical exposure from
components of these products.
(2) People who menstruate may be exposed to substances in
tampons and other menstrual products for as long as 40 years
over the course of their reproductive lives. The average person
who menstruates may use up to 16,000 tampons in their lifetime.
(3) Trace amounts of dioxins can be found in tampons and
other menstrual products. The Environmental Protection Agency
and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of
the World Health Organization, have concluded that dioxins are
a probable human carcinogen (cancer-causing agent).
(4) Chemical testing of menstrual products from around the
world have detected several additional chemicals of concern
including phthalates, volatile organic compounds, pesticides,
carbon disulfide, and per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS).
(5) Intimate care products frequently contain undisclosed
fragrance chemicals, some of which may be allergens,
reproductive toxins, and carcinogens. Such products also
contain potentially harmful preservatives. Research released by
Apothercare, Women's Voices for the Earth, and Black Women for
Wellness found that some intimate care products specifically
inhibit the growth of lactobacillus, a crucial type of healthy
bacteria found in the vaginal microbiome. Disruption of the
vaginal microbiome can lead to significant health problems
including bacterial vaginosis, increased risk of sexually
transmitted diseases, and fertility concerns.
(6) Intimate care products (especially douches and powders)
have been associated with higher levels of toxic chemicals in
the bodies of people who use them. Specifically, phthalate
levels in urine were significantly higher in people who douche
frequently. Another study found significantly higher levels of
1,4-dichlorobenzene in the blood of people who douche
frequently and higher levels of ethylbenzene in the blood of
intimate powder users.
(7) Research regarding the presence of chemicals in
menstrual products and intimate care products plays a role in
advancing health equity for populations that have historically
experienced health disparities, including Black people.
(8) Regulatory oversight of the safety of materials in
menstrual and intimate care products is limited. The Food and
Drug Administration has historically relied on data provided by
manufacturers of menstrual products in determining product
safety. Intimate care products generally do not need approval
by the Food and Drug Administration before they go on the
market, and manufacturers have the responsibility to ensure the
safety of their products.
SEC. 3. RESEARCH ON DIOXINS AND OTHER POTENTIALLY HARMFUL COMPONENTS OF
MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND INTIMATE CARE PRODUCTS.
Part F of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 287d
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 486C. RESEARCH ON DIOXINS AND OTHER POTENTIALLY HARMFUL
COMPONENTS OF MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND INTIMATE CARE
PRODUCTS.
``(a) Research.--
``(1) In general.--The Director of NIH shall provide for
the conduct or support of research to determine the extent to
which the presence of dioxins, phthalates, titanium dioxide,
and other components (including contaminants and substances
used as fragrances, colorants, dyes, and preservatives) in
tampons and other menstrual products and intimate care
products--
``(A) poses any risks to the health of people who
use the products, including risks related to
gynecologic, breast, and other cancers, endometriosis,
infertility and pregnancy outcomes, immune system
deficiencies, pelvic inflammatory disease, toxic shock
syndrome, the health of the vaginal microbiome, and
other bacterial and yeast infections; and
``(B) poses any risks to the health of children or
people who used such products during or before the
pregnancies involved, including risks related to fetal
and childhood development.
``(2) Definition.--For purposes of paragraph (1)--
``(A) the term `menstrual products' means tampons,
pads, liners, cups, sponges, and similar products used
by people who menstruate with respect to menstruation
or other genital-tract secretions; and
``(B) the term `intimate care products' means
douches, wipes, sprays, washes, powders, and similar
products used with respect to vulva or vaginal
cleansing.
``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as
may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2028.''.
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