Brigette Honaker  |  September 2, 2020

Category: Apparel

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Thinx period proof underwear may contain toxic chemicals.

Scientific testing has revealed that Thinx period proof underwear may contain toxic chemicals linked to reproductive issues and cancer.

The Sierra Club has revealed that Thinx underwear may contain toxic chemicals known as PFAS chemicals. These substances, sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals,” are incredibly persistent in both the environment and the body.

Researchers reportedly found high levels of PFAS chemicals in the Thinx period proof underwear – indicating that the products may have been manufactured with these substances.

Although Thinx has defended their products and refuted claims that PFAS chemicals can be found in the underwear, consumers may be concerned about toxic chemicals in the products.

What Are Thinx Period Proof Underwear?

Thinx period proof underwear have become increasingly popular due to their reusable nature. According to the product website, Thinx underwear can be washed and reused – replacing single use menstrual products such as pads or tampons. Even if users still use tampons or menstrual cups, Thinx underwear can reportedly be worn for added protection.

The underwear reportedly includes several layers of specialized fabric to absorb up to four tampons’ worth of fluid, neutralize odors, prevent leaks, and keep the wearer comfortable.

After use, Thinx period proof underwear can reportedly be washed with other clothes and hung to dry.

Are Thinx Underwear Toxic?

Thinx period proof underwear may expose consumers to toxic PFAS chemicals.Although Thinx period proof underwear products have been gaining popularity amongst environmentally conscious consumers, recent reports suggest that these products may contain toxic chemicals.

According to a January report by the Sierra Club, testing of Thinx underwear revealed the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals.

A columnist with the magazine reportedly enlisted the help of University of Notre Dame researcher Dr. Graham Peaslee who previously discovered that PFAS chemicals can be found in fast-food wrappers.

After sending Thinx period proof underwear to Dr. Peaslee for testing, the Sierra Club reportedly discovered a significant amount of PFAS chemicals in both Thinx briefs and the brand’s BTWN Shorty underwear for teens.

The crotch of Thinx underwear reportedly had 3,264 parts per million (ppm) of PFAS chemicals while the BTWN underwear had 2,053 ppm, according to Dr. Peaslee’s spectroscopy testing.

Sierra Club’s coverage argued that these levels could indicate that Thinx period proof underwear were “intentionally manufactured with PFAS.” Should this theory be true, consumers may have been unknowingly exposed to toxic chemicals which are infamous for both their persistence and health consequences.

PFAS chemicals were introduced in 1946 when DuPont developed Teflon – a water resistant coating which was commonly used on non-stick pots and pans. Since then, PFAS chemicals like Teflon have been shown to be persistent to a fault – staying in the body and environment for decades.

In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), testing shows that 99% of Americans have PFAS in their blood.

Unfortunately, PFAS chemicals have been linked to serious health consequences – making their persistent nature a prominent concern amongst health and environmental advocates. The EWG reports that PFAS studies have linked the chemicals to various conditions such as:

  • Cancer (testicular, kidney, liver, and pancreatic)
  • Weakened immunity in children
  • Low birth weight
  • Endocrine (hormone) disruption
  • Increased cholesterol levels
  • Weight gain
  • And more.

In a statement to Teen Vogue, Thinx CEO Maria Molland defended the underwear products saying:

“Thinx uses both OCS-certified and GOTS-certified organic cotton, and our product safety testing is conducted by third-party facilities to ensure our products meet the robust European safety standards of REACH and OEKO-TEX, which include testing for PFAS chemicals. Based on this outside expert testing, PFAS chemicals were not detected in Thinx products.”

Despite these assurances, the testing methods enlisted by Thinx have been called into question by the same Sierra Club columnist who first released the story on Thinx underwear potentially being toxic.

According to the magazine’s coverage, there are upwards of 5,000 PFAS chemicals. Sierra Club’s columnist contends that, if Thinx only tested for a few of these thousands of chemicals, their testing may not have revealed the presence of PFAS chemicals.

In contrast, Dr. Peaslee’s testing reportedly looked from a broader perspective by testing for the presence of fluorine – an element found in PFAS chemicals. If PFAS chemicals could be found in a product, they would reportedly leave a large fluorine signal as found by Dr. Peaslee’s testing.

The Sierra Club also noted that Thinx referenced testing done by Intertox – a toxicology firm which was previously a paid consultant to the Perchlorate Study Group (PSG). While working for the group, Intertox was reportedly accused of rewriting an article before it appeared in a scientific journal in order to delete the health impacts of perchlorate, along with being embroiled in other scandals.

Have you purchased Thinx period proof underwear? Are you worried that Thinx underwear is toxic? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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15 thoughts onAre Thinx Underwear Toxic? Report Says Yes!

  1. Edith Ennis says:

    I have been wearing these for about 2 years. Add me please

  2. jennifer white says:

    Please add me. Purchased several pair. Ty

  3. Jennifer says:

    Thinx briefs leave huge welts on my skin. I assumed it was just the seams, but is this a reaction to the chemicals? Please add me.

  4. Maggie Shelton says:

    Please Add Me

  5. M. Spriggens says:

    I have worn thinx for months. Easily half a year. Reading all of these articles I feel like an idiot. My body told me all the signs that it was bad but I always assumed my cycle was irregular and worse because of stress. I used to have a very consistent cycle and now I’m weeks late or weeks early. Even if I get it on time I feel terrible. I used to workout and have a productive day and now I just want to hide in a hole. I don’t know what Product to switch to but I’ll definitely do my research.

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