Media Release: Natracare Questions & Answers

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What is organic?
Organic products are made to a specific set of standards and principals. These standards and principles ensure that certified organic products are grown and processed without the use of synthetic materials, fertilisers, or Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's). Principles of organic farming ensure that all produce are free from chemical pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, whilst also addressing issues and concerns around both animal and human welfare as well as sustainability. Organic producers aim to provide products that are as 'natural' as possible.

Today, organic is an innovative method of farming and production. Not just about the growth and handling of the product, organic systems take a holistic approach. Organic processes look at the entire process and take everything into consideration - soil, plants, animals, food, people and the environment. These organic standards and systems are internationally recognised and are assured through annual audits of all certified operators by an independent third party auditor.

Organic systems acknowledge that our health is directly related to not just the food we eat, but the products that we use on a daily basis, and ultimately, the health of their production.

What are the benefits of using organic products?
Organic products are known to have endless benefits to both personal health and that of the environment. Good for the soil, animals, environment and people, organic products meet the strictest of standards assuring that they have been grown and handled without continuous chemical inputs.

Many of the chemicals used throughout the production process of unnatural or non-organic produce have been linked to increased health risks including cancer and other diseases. Organic products allow the individual to minimise unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals, whilst also helping to strengthen the natural state of the environment.

Why is conventionally grown cotton (non-organic) bad for us?
Most people think of cotton as a 'natural' product, however, cotton is one of the most chemically intensive crops in the world. In fact, cotton is the worst agricultural crop in terms of its effect on the environment. Not only is cotton the most heavily sprayed crop in the world, it also uses some of the most toxic chemicals.

Conventionally grown cotton is non-organic and each year its' production pumps thousands of tons of pesticides into the environment. 25% of all agricultural chemicals in the world are used on conventional cotton growing. However, cotton growth represents a mere 3% of the world's arable land use. Cotton production is responsible for the release of 16% of global insecticides, this is more than any other single crop in the world.

The human health and environmental cost of pesticide use in global cotton production is well documented. Applied to cotton, aldicarb is one of the most toxic pesticides. A powerful nerve agent aldicarb is classified by the World Health Organisation as 'extremely hazardous.' According to the World Health Organisation each year 20,000 people die in developing countries as a result of the chemicals sprayed on conventionally grown cotton.

What are the benefits of using 100% organic cotton that is free from chlorine bleach?
100% organic cotton feminine hygiene products that are free from pesticides and chlorine bleach, allow women to eliminate exposure to dioxins, plastics and pesticides that can affect health in a great way.

In conventionally grown (non-organic) cotton the chlorine bleaching process further taints cotton as it produces an unwanted by-product called dioxin. Dioxins are carcinogenic, cancer causing agents. Even low levels of dioxins have been linked to cancer, endometriosis and immune system suppression. Using chlorine bleached feminine hygiene products unnecessarily increases exposure to dioxins.

Top benefits of using 100% organic cotton

• Better for women's needs and health because they are made without the use of pesticides, toxic chlorine bleaches, synthetic materials, dye and perfumes.
• 100% organic, totally chlorine free (TCF) cotton can help reduce skin allergies, irritation, soreness and itching, symptoms often associated with Allergic Feminine Irritation (AFI).
• 100% organic cotton is grown using no pesticides or toxic chemicals. It does not go through the chlorine bleaching process, which produces an unwanted by-product called Dioxin, a substance linked to cancer, endometriosis and other health related illnesses.
• 100% organic, chlorine free cotton creates less or no land-fill problems for the environment, as it is 100% biodegrable and compostable.
• 100% organic, chlorine free cotton products offer an environmentally friendly, ethical and conscious-free choice.

What is chlorine bleaching? (Used in conventional products)
Chlorine bleaching is a process which destroys any bacteria in the cotton or pulp used in feminine hygiene products. It also whitens the material for commercial use. Different types of chlorine bleaches are today used in the paper and feminine hygiene industry. The main causes of dioxin pollution is Elemental chlorine (also called chlorine gas), as well as Elemental chlorine-free bleach. However, this bleach is not free of chlorine. The use of chlorine-free in this case means that it is not bleached using Elemental chlorine, called chlorine gas.

Any ingredient that starts with "chloro" suggests the presence of an organochlorine. Organochlorines are contained in many of the familiar products we find in our shops such as solvents, pesticides, plastics, disinfectants, plastic packaging, chlorine-bleached pulp and paper products such as toilet paper, kitchen roll and many feminine hygiene products.

In making organochlorine products, highly toxic by-products, such as dioxins, are produced at the same time and accumulate in the environment and the fat cells of animals. Similar major pollution problems also occur when these chlorinated products, such as plastics and solvents, are burned or incinerated as rubbish, as there is then environmental fallout of dioxins that accumulate in the food chain.

What is Oxygen bleaching? (Used by Natracare)
The only true chlorine-free bleach is Hydrogen peroxide, which is referred to as Totally Chlorine-Free or TCF. This is the only bleaching method used by Natracare. This oxygen bleaching process purifies the organic cotton, is totally safe and does not effect the environment in any way. TCF excludes the use of dioxin-producing chlorine, instead using a water/oxygen process to destroy any bacteria in the cotton or pulp. This results in the whitening of the material, which is then thoroughly rinsed, dried and ready for use in Natracare products.

What are dioxins and parabens, the toxic ingredients that have been linked with various cancers and other health risks?
Dioxins are some of the most deadly chemicals created. Classified as carcinogenic (cancer causing), dioxins are found in pesticides, plastics, solvents, detergents and cosmetics, dioxins are also a bi-product of the chlorine bleaching process. For over a decade, concerns have been raised about the impact of dioxins on our health with respect to heart and liver disease, hormonal disruption and cancer, to name but a few. The production of dioxins in the manufacturing of paper pulp products such as tampons and sanitary pads, are not only harmful to the environment, but they also unnecessarily expose women to low levels of dioxins every time they use these products. Building up cumulatively over time from birth, dioxins settle in the fat cells of our bodies and remain there for the rest of our lives. So, increased exposure means increased risk.

Parabens are chemical preservatives such as ethyl, menthyl, butyl, propyl and benzoic acid. These chemicals are used as preservatives to kill any bacteria that form, thus, giving products a longer shelf life. Parabens are toxic and are known to cause allergies as well as hormonal disruptions. Absorbed through the skin and hair follicles parabens have the ability to copy your body's endocrine system. To date, the effects of a build up of parabens in the body is unknown. However, parabens have been found in breast cancer tissue.

What is the difference between plant cellulose derived materials (used by Natracare) and petroleum derived materials used commonly in Conventional Pads?
The use of petroleum derived materials is widespread, they are commonly used in the production of synthetic products. Production of petroleum derived materials release large amounts of toxic pollution into the environment, and its disposal is responsible for much environmental damage. A product called Super Absorbent Polyacrylate, is a petroleum derivative and known irritant commonly used in conventional pads as crystals that absorb large amounts of liquid becoming a gel like substance within the pad. These crystals are scattered into a layer of fluff pulp or embedded in the pad with pulp, latex, acrylic binders and glue.

Plant cellulose materials are not only kinder to the planet, but also to the body. Plant cellulose materials use less of the planet and help in significantly reducing the environmental effects of raw materials used in production, whilst having no negative effects on health. Natracare pads use totally chlorine free wood pulp core with a corn-starch breathable leak proof barrier, encased in a soft cellulose cover. Bioplast is a key component in the Natural Feminine Pads, Organic Panty Liner and Maternity Care products, made from GMO-free corn starch which is 100% biodegrable.
Plant cellulose derived materials are all natural, biodegradable and non-allergenic.

What is the wood pulp used in Natracare products and how does it affect the Environment?
Most of the world's wood pulp used to make paper products, which includes tampons, sanitary pads, toilet paper and newspapers, comes from forests that have been ravaged by large pulping companies. The large scale ripping up of trees in logging devastates the landscape, destroys wildlife habitat, as well as destroys the ecology of the soil leading to erosion and the desolation of landscapes. Unlike other manufacturers, Natracare never uses pulp from ancient North American forests. The pulp that is used in Natracare sanitary pads and liners comes from managed Scandinavian forests. This means that a continual planting and re-planting system is in place to ensure that every tree cut down is replaced by another.

Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) fluffed wood pulp is used as the absorbency cellulose core of Natural Feminine Pads, Panty Liners and Maternity Products.

What is AFI? And how is it caused?
Allergic feminine irritation (AFI) is an allergic reaction often linked to synthetic materials and chemicals, irritating preservatives and additives found in most commonly used feminine hygiene products. Symptoms include vaginal itching soreness and/or discharge. Due to the synthetic and plastic ingredients in most sanitary products, women suffering from skin allergies, irritation, soreness and itching, may find their symptoms are worse during their period.

Many gynaecologists advise women suffering from AFI to change to 100% certified organic cotton products in order to avoid the synthetics and chemicals commonly used in hygiene products. After making the change to Natracare 100% organic cotton tampons and natural totally chlorine-free pads, many of these women have found relief from their symptoms.

Are women who use Natracare 100% organic cotton tampons less likely to suffer from Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?
TSS is a rare but fatal disease caused by a particular type of bacteria that can produce toxins in the body. Symptoms of TSS come on fast and are often severe. Menstrual TSS has been linked to the use of super-absorbents and synthetics in tampons.

A study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynaecology revealed that the use of 100% cotton tampons may reduce the risk of TSS compared with tampons that contain rayon. The paper states that, 'The incidence of reported cases of Toxic Shock Syndrome has declined since the removal of high absorbency fibres from tampons, such as polyacrylate rayon, polyester and carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC). However, the disease continues to occur in young menstruating women using the newer less absorbent tampons made of viscose rayon with and without cotton.'

Carried out on 20 tampon varieties, the study included Natracare 100% cotton tampons and concluded that all-cotton tampons did not produce the dangerous TSS toxin from the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, while other tampons did.

Natracare believes that women should still continue to be vigilant and become familiar with the symptoms of TSS. Carefully read the tampon instruction leaflets found in the packs before use. The symptoms of TSS can occur suddenly, and at any time during menstruation. Be aware of these symptoms, which need not be present all at the same time.

For mothers with new babies, how do the Natracare nursing pads and organic cotton baby wipes benefit both mother & child?
Free from plastics, polycrylate superabsorbents, petrolieum derivatives, synthetic ingredients and perfumes Natracare nursing pads and organic cotton baby wipes allow first time Mums the chance to give newborns the best possible start to life. Choices around maternity and baby products not only impact on the health of mother and baby, but also on the world that the newborn will grow up in.

Free from parabens, phenoxyethanol and formaldehyde releasing preservatives, commonly used in conventional and some natural wipes, Natracare's baby wipes are made from 100% organic cotton and plant-derived materials. All of which means Mum can reduce babies contact with toxic materials. 100% organic cotton is grown using no pesticides or toxic chemicals and has not gone through the chlorine bleaching process. As a result, mothers can protect baby from the unwanted by-product of chlorine bleaching, Dioxin, a substance linked to cancer, endometriosis and other health related illnesses.

Natracare's new mother maternity pads and new mother nursing pads are made from all natural, plant derived materials. Totally chlorine free (TCF), made without harsh additives and super absorbents, they are ideal for new mothers with sensitive skin. Derived from ecologically-managed forests the cellulose is leak-proof, sustainable and natural. Unlike Natracare, many conventional nursing pads are made from plastics and synthetics that can taint the taste of mother's breast milk. In addition, Natracare's new mother maternity pads and new mother nursing pads allow mothers to reduce direct chemical contact with the skin, thus, reducing the accumulation of parabens in the body.

Who is Natracare?
Susie Hewson started her campaign against conventional plastic laden, chlorine bleached and polyacrylate super absorbent pads, panty liners and rayon tampons, in 1989. From these efforts, Natracare products were developed. To date, Natracare continues to lead this campaign for all women - making the best disposable feminine hygiene products with the lowest impact on the health of women and the environment.

A range of more than nineteen high quality, feminine personal hygiene products, are offered by Natracare, including curved and straight pads with and without wings; three styles of panty liner; certified 100% organic tampons (with and without applicators); and certified organic cotton feminine wipes without parabens. Natracare tampons conform to the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) absorbency ranges. All of Natracare tampons are certified organic by the Soil Association.

Natracare products are available worldwide and in Australia can be purchased in key health food shops, chemists and pharmacies. Visit www.natracare.com for further information.

Please read our Media Release.

Mum Zone Release Date: 1st July 2008

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