Prof. Chun Gwon Park’s research team from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, in collaboration with Prof. Juhee Kim’s team at the University of Hawaii and Prof. Sena Kim at Chungbuk National University, has published the results of an international joint study comprehensively evaluating the chemical safety and potential toxicity of sanitary pads available on the market. This study, released on August 29, 2025, carries significant meaning as the first comprehensive analysis addressing the safety of sanitary products closely linked to women’s health.

The global collaborative research team analyzed 29 types of sanitary pads distributed domestically and internationally, focusing on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, microplastic detection, and in vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity. The results showed that toluene* was detected in multiple products at levels ranging from 0.04 to 2.79 μg per pad. While this is lower than the existing occupational safety threshold (37 mg/m³), the researchers noted that closer scrutiny is needed considering skin absorption characteristics and prolonged use.

*Toluene: A widely used industrial VOC that can be harmful to health upon repeated exposure to skin or mucous membranes.

In addition, all sanitary pad products were found to contain polypropylene (PP)-based microplastics, while some products also contained small amounts of other types of microplastics, such as PET and PE. With growing concerns about the impact of microplastics on human health, this study is noteworthy for scientifically demonstrating the potential for microplastic exposure through close-contact sanitary products.

In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation revealed that some sanitary pads reduced cell viability to below 80%, indicating moderate cytotoxicity. Notably, certain products labeled as “organic” also exhibited cytotoxic effects, underscoring the need for further verification studies. These findings suggest that the types of chemicals used in the manufacturing process and their treatment methods may directly influence the toxicity levels of the products.

Prof. Park stated, “This study delivers meaningful results by raising awareness of the safety issues surrounding sanitary products based on concrete scientific data. For products that remain in close contact with the skin for extended periods, transparency of ingredients and thorough safety verification are essential.”

The study, jointly conducted by researchers from Sungkyunkwan University, the University of Hawaii, and Chungbuk National University, is expected to serve as a foundation for public health policies and regulatory standards aimed at protecting women’s health and ensuring consumer safety. The findings were published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials (Impact Factor 12.2), one of the most influential journals in the field of environmental risk assessment and safety research.