TULSA, Okla.–More than 300 million women around the world have their period on any given day. However, an estimated 500 million lack access to menstrual products, according to the World Bank, an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries.
Access is not the only issue; safety is also a concern, as recent studies indicate. Many menstrual products from well-known brands, such as Carefree and Thinx, include harmful, persistent chemicals known as PFAS. Additionally, some brands incorporate arsenic, lead, and nickel into their products.
These toxins are associated with hormonal disruption, cancer, and reproductive health issues. Despite increasing concerns, there’s little to no regulation in the United States, allowing companies to use PFAS and heavy metals in their products without proper disclosure.
A new wave of beauty, health and wellness solutions is emerging. States are filing lawsuits, and some companies are creating menstrual products free from PFAS and metals. One example is Happy Pads, a Tulsa-based company that utilizes banana fiber to craft nontoxic, biodegradable pads made from banana leaves.
Happy Pads: A Tulsa-based non-toxic alternative
Happy Pads are organic sanitary pads made from banana fiber. They are designed by Kalkidan Tadesse and her sister, Wubit, founders of the Happy Sisters company, to be a healthier and more sustainable alternative to traditional pads.
The Tadesse sisters are from Ethiopia, where they lacked access to menstrual products. Kalkidan was inspired to create organic pads after seeing her peers in school using torn mattresses.
“As a student, I saw torn fabric from mattresses being used as menstrual pads because people couldn’t afford proper ones,” she told the Black Wall Street Times.
Wubit added that many of her peers in school had allergies to cheaper products from the U.S. So the sisters turned to banana fiber—a natural, biodegradable material abundant in Ethiopia.
“Banana trees grow quickly, and after harvesting the fruit, farmers discard the stems. We use that fiber, process it into a soft, cotton-like texture, and turn it into pads,” Kalkidan explained.
Unlike traditional pads, Happy Pads are plastic-free, biodegradable, and free from toxic chemicals.
How do harmful chemicals and metals end up in period products?
PFAS, or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are present in many everyday products, such as non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, lipsticks, and even moisturizers. These chemicals are used to enhance water and stain resistance.
In Oklahoma, PFAS present a significant risk to Black communities living near military bases that have a history of improperly disposing of hazardous firefighting solutions in the surrounding environment.
Forever chemicals are in Thinx underwear, which is known for its moisture absorption. In 2023, the company settled a class action lawsuit for falsely advertising its products as safe and sustainable, despite a 2019 Sierra Club investigation revealing the presence of PFAS in Thinx products
Last year, UC Berkeley researchers found 16 metals in 14 tampon brands, regardless of organic certification. Non-organic tampons had higher lead levels, while organic ones had more arsenic, a known carcinogen.
Contamination occurs in manufacturing, such as using PFAS-treated machinery, which can add trace chemicals. Metals can also enter tampons through contaminated cotton, environmental pollutants, or manufacturing additives.
“Although toxic metals are common and we are continuously exposed, our study shows that they are present in menstrual products, indicating women might face increased risk with these products,” said Kathrin Schilling, study co-author at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
Why are PFAS and metals harmful to the body?
According to the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, PFAS are called forever chemicals because they do not easily break down in the environment due to their complex chemical structure.
Researchers at UC Berkeley said exposure to PFAS and heavy metals has been linked to fertility problems, immune suppression, neurological damage, and even cancer.
“There’s a major gap in research regarding chemicals in tampons,” said lead researcher Jenni A. Shearston. “To our knowledge, this is the first study measuring metals in these products—and it’s concerning that we found them in every tampon we tested.”
How did this become a problem in menstrual products?
Professor Valerie Leiter, chair of public health at Simmons University, told the Black Wall Street Times that menstrual product manufacturers aren’t required to disclose ingredients. She said the FDA no longer reviews menstrual pads before they hit the market.
“Many people assume the FDA is reviewing all of those materials… but that’s not true,” Leiter said. “Almost none of the menstrual devices on the market are currently being reviewed before they go on sale.”
This lack of oversight stems from a 2016 law called the 21st Century Cures Act, which exempted menstrual products from FDA review. Now, only tampons require regulation, leaving pads, period underwear and menstrual cups unchecked and unregulated.
Overcoming challenges as Black, immigrant women entrepreneurs
Breaking into the menstrual product industry was not easy for the Tadesse sisters. Wubit faced many challenges in Ethiopia, including political and economic issues that almost made them quit.
“In Africa, it’s tough to start a business, especially if you are a woman,” Wubit said. “We started in Ethiopia, but the war made it impossible to continue. Moving to the U.S. was our only option.”
They faced challenges finding funding in their home country. It was hard to find many investors who prioritized menstrual health, especially for marginalized communities.
The Tadesse sisters entered competitions and won awards. They were also invited to the U.S. to share their story with former First Lady Jill Biden.
Now Happy Pads is part of the Tulsa Accelerator Program run by Techstars, which has played a crucial role in the growth of Happy Pads.
“At first, it was just an idea, but Techstars made it a reality. They provided funding, mentorship, and connections,” Kalkidan said.
Today, Happy Pads are sold in stores in Tulsa, Houston, and LA and online at Target.com and Amazon.
Where is the national push for safer menstrual products?
While some states, like California, are banning PFAS in menstrual products, there is little movement on a national level. “Most of the action is happening at the state level, but there’s little movement federally,” Leiter said.
Federal regulation will unlikely occur anytime soon without public pressure, lawsuits or a full-blown health crisis.
“We may only discover these chemicals’ long-term health effects through exposure. That’s not where we want to be,” Leiter warned.
How consumers can protect themselves
What can people do to reduce their exposure to toxic menstrual products?
- Support non-toxic brands.
- Look for organic cotton products—avoid synthetic fibers when possible.
- Advocate for transparency in menstrual product labeling.
Happy Pads also ensures menstrual equity by partnering with the nonprofit Make Her Day.
“For every purchase, a portion goes toward providing free pads to homeless women,” Kalkidan said.
The fight for safer menstrual care
The fight against toxic menstrual products is just beginning. Happy Pads represents a grassroots solution—a Black, women-owned company stepping up where corporations and the government have failed.
“We want to educate people about the products they use, their impact on health, and their effect on the environment,” Kalkidan said.
Consumers have power. They can push the menstrual care industry toward a healthier, more just future by choosing safer options and demanding change.
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