Response to headlines concerning PFAS in period underwear
Recently mainstream media has highlighted a lawsuit that claims a brand of period underwear contain potentially toxic ingredients, specifically short chain per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).1 The lawsuit does not accuse the product of causing harm, but rather focuses on marketing which claimed products to be “free of harmful chemicals”.
Background
PFAS are human-made chemicals which are found in many common consumer and industrial products, such as cleaning products, stain/water resistant fabrics, non-stick cookware, some personal care products like dental floss, and certain food containers/wrappers like take-out containers and microwave popcorn bags.2,3 Because their use is widespread, PFAS have also been found in the food, soil, air and water around the world; levels of many PFAS have also been found in blood samples of humans and animals globally.2,3 PFAS break down very slowly and can build up in the environment over time, potentially causing ecological and wildlife damage.2,3
Talking points - COVID-19 Vaccine and Reproductive Health:
With ongoing COVID-19 surges, the need for vaccine uptake among adolescent and young adults is critical to safety and decreasing transmission. Although there is no preferred vaccine formulation, the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine is the sole formulation that received full FDA approval. Twelve to seventeen-year olds are currently only eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine. The FDA has also recently approved the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine for those 5-11 years of age, and it is anticipated that other countries will approve the same in the coming weeks around the world.
NASPAG'S Response to Texas Senate Bill 8
NASPAG’s mission is to advocate for the reproductive well-being of children and adolescents and the provision of unrestricted, unbiased, and evidence-based practice of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. The Texas Senate Bill 8 undermines the ability of Pediatric and Adolescent health care providers to align with NASPAG’s mission. This bill impacts critical reproductive health care, which undoubtedly will disproportionately impact those with poorest resources and access to care. This is one of the most restrictive abortions bans in the US, making abortion illegal with no exceptions for rape, sexual abuse, incest, or fetal anomaly diagnosis.
