PERIOD · PERIOD – PER and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) exposure: Impact Of Dermal contact with menstrual products

Menstruation is a physiological process experienced by approximately half of the global population and menstrual products are crucial for maintaining hygiene and supporting gender equality. However, recent research has shown that these products can contain chemicals of concern for human health, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of industrial chemicals including thousands of diverse substances. Exposure to PFAS through menstrual product use is still poorly studied. The presence of few PFAS has been studied and for substances detected in these products, we do not know which ones can be released to our skin and enter our body. These knowledge gaps hamper a proper evaluation of the human health risks that could derive from PFAS presence in these products.  PERIOD is an innovative interdisciplinary project that aims to assess the contribution of dermal contact with menstrual products to PFAS exposure and evaluate the potential risks to human health. The goal of PERIOD aligns with the priorities of the EU Chemical Strategy for Sustainability of banning most harmful chemicals in consumer products and phasing out PFAS use. To achieve PERIOD goal: (1) legacy and novel PFAS will be measured in a wide variety of menstrual products using state-of-the-art analytical methods; (2) dermal migration tests will be used to determine the fraction of PFAS that can be released from menstrual products and reach the skin; (3) risk assessment probabilistic calculations will be used to provide a realistic description of the contribution of menstrual products use to PFAS exposure and of the health risks associated with the use of these products. This new knowledge will provide guidance to evaluate the safety of menstrual products and to improve chemical regulation policies for consumer products. PERIOD will provide new expertise and training for a postdoctoral researcher in analytical chemistry, exposure science, risk assessment, and professional development.