Meng Introduces Bill To Require The National Institutes Of Health To Study The Make Up Of Menstrual Care Products
The bill was introduced to commemorate Period Action Day, which was celebrated this month
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Toady U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) announced the introduction of the Robin Danielson Menstrual Product and Intimate Care Product Safety Act of 2023. The bill requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the make up of menstrual and intimate care products, increasing research into fragrance ingredients, colorants, dyes, and the potential impacts they may have on consumers.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and is the nation’s medical research agency helping make important discoveries that improve health and save lives.
The study conducted by the NIH would include further research into fragrance ingredients, colorants, dyes, and the potential effects it may have on product users.
“Being educated on the health and hygiene products people use in their daily lives is crucial, and it is unfortunately not something we have a lot of data and research on in the menstrual product industry. The Robin Danielson Menstrual Product and Intimate Care Product Safety Act would direct the NIH to study the make-up of menstrual hygiene products and potentially uncover the impact it may have on the bodies of women, girls, and menstruators,” said Meng. “Menstruators across the United States use these products regularly despite not knowing their potential harm. It is incredibly important that consumers understand the makeup of the products they use, and that what is in those products isn’t dangerous. This bill addresses that gap of knowledge and I look forward to moving this bill through the House."
Former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) first introduced the bill in 1997 under a different name, but the bill was renamed in 1999 following the death of Robin Danielson. Danielson died in 1998 of toxic shock syndrome, which is a rare bacterial disease linked to high absorbency tampon use.
Period Action Day was celebrated a few days ago on October 14.
Read the bill text here.