Ban use of toxic chemicals in sanitary pads, baby diapers: PIL plea in Madras High Court

Madras High Court hears PIL to ban toxic chemicals in sanitary pads and diapers, seeking government response on health regulations.

The Madras High Court on Thursday (March 26, 2026) sought the response of the Centre to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed for prohibiting the use of carcinogenic and other hazardous chemicals in the manufacture of sanitary napkins, tampons, panty liners, and baby diapers.

The First Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan ordered notices to the Union Ministries of Health and Family as well as Textiles after being convinced with the arguments advanced by senior counsel T. Mohan for the PIL petitioner.

S. Subadra, an advocate based in Chennai, had filed the case also seeking a direction to the Centre to frame appropriate rules/regulations mandating full disclosure of raw materials used in the manufacture of sanitary napkins, menstrual products, and baby diapers sold in the country.

The litigant told the court that a person who menstruates ends up spending about 60,000 hours of their lifetime on menstrual periods and that unlike products used on other skin surfaces, it was essential to use absolutely non-toxic substances in sanitary pads to prevent the toxins from entering the body.

Stating that sanitary pads had undergone several changes over the years, she said, initially, they were made mostly of flannel or woven fabric. Thereafter, sanitary pads were made with gauze and cotton and later, they were manufactured using cellulose, which had a higher absorption power than cotton pads.

“These superabsorbent pads underwent further modification. First came the belt pad, which was soon replaced by beltless pad with adhesives. More recent additions to sanitary pads include fragrance,” she said. The petitioner added the plastic upsurge, too, changed the way the sanitary pads were designed and manufactured.