SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Robin Danielson Men-
strual Product and Intimate Care Product Safety Act of 
2023’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds as follows: 
(1) Menstrual products and intimate care prod-
ucts are widely used in the United States today, but 
there is not enough research on the safety of or po-
tential chemical exposure from components of these 
products. 
(2) People who menstruate may be exposed to 
substances in tampons and other menstrual products 
for as long as 40 years over the course of their re-
productive lives. The average person who menstru-
ates may use up to 16,000 tampons in their lifetime. 
(3) Trace amounts of dioxins can be found in 
tampons and other menstrual products. The Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency and the International 
Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of the 
World Health Organization, have concluded that 
dioxins are a probable human carcinogen (cancer- 
causing agent). 
(4) Chemical testing of menstrual products 
from around the world have detected several addi-
tional chemicals of concern including phthalates, 
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volatile organic compounds, pesticides, carbon disul-
fide, 
and 
per-and 
polyfluoroalkyl 
substances 
(PFAS). 
(5) Intimate care products frequently contain 
undisclosed fragrance chemicals, some of which may 
be allergens, reproductive toxins, and carcinogens. 
Such products also contain potentially harmful pre-
servatives. Research released by Apothercare, Wom-
en’s Voices for the Earth, and Black Women for 
Wellness found that some intimate care products 
specifically inhibit the growth of lactobacillus, a cru-
cial type of healthy bacteria found in the vaginal 
microbiome. Disruption of the vaginal microbiome 
can lead to significant health problems including 
bacterial vaginosis, increased risk of sexually trans-
mitted diseases, and fertility concerns. 
(6) Intimate care products (especially douches 
and powders) have been associated with higher levels 
of toxic chemicals in the bodies of people who use 
them. Specifically, phthalate levels in urine were sig-
nificantly higher in people who douche frequently. 
Another study found significantly higher levels of 
1,4–dichlorobenzene in the blood of people who 
douche frequently and higher levels of ethylbenzene 
in the blood of intimate powder users. 
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(7) Research regarding the presence of chemi-
cals in menstrual products and intimate care prod-
ucts plays a role in advancing health equity for pop-
ulations that have historically experienced health dis-
parities, including Black people. 
(8) Regulatory oversight of the safety of mate-
rials in menstrual and intimate care products is lim-
ited. The Food and Drug Administration has histori-
cally relied on data provided by manufacturers of 
menstrual products in determining product safety. 
Intimate care products generally do not need ap-
proval by the Food and Drug Administration before 
they go on the market, and manufacturers have the 
responsibility to ensure the safety of their products. 
SEC. 3. RESEARCH ON DIOXINS AND OTHER POTENTIALLY 
HARMFUL 
COMPONENTS 
OF 
MENSTRUAL 
PRODUCTS AND INTIMATE CARE PRODUCTS. 
Part F of title IV of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 287d et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 486C. RESEARCH ON DIOXINS AND OTHER POTEN-
TIALLY HARMFUL COMPONENTS OF MEN-
STRUAL PRODUCTS AND INTIMATE CARE 
PRODUCTS. 
‘‘(a) RESEARCH.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of NIH shall 
provide for the conduct or support of research to de-
termine the extent to which the presence of dioxins, 
phthalates, titanium dioxide, and other components 
(including contaminants and substances used as fra-
grances, colorants, dyes, and preservatives) in tam-
pons and other menstrual products and intimate 
care products— 
‘‘(A) poses any risks to the health of peo-
ple who use the products, including risks re-
lated to gynecologic, breast, and other cancers, 
endometriosis, infertility and pregnancy out-
comes, immune system deficiencies, pelvic in-
flammatory disease, toxic shock syndrome, the 
health of the vaginal microbiome, and other 
bacterial and yeast infections; and 
‘‘(B) poses any risks to the health of chil-
dren or people who used such products during 
or before the pregnancies involved, including 
risks related to fetal and childhood develop-
ment. 
‘‘(2) DEFINITION.—For purposes of paragraph 
(1)— 
‘‘(A) the term ‘menstrual products’ means 
tampons, pads, liners, cups, sponges, and simi-
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lar products used by people who menstruate 
with respect to menstruation or other genital- 
tract secretions; and 
‘‘(B) the term ‘intimate care products’ 
means douches, wipes, sprays, washes, powders, 
and similar products used with respect to vulva 
or vaginal cleansing. 
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For the 
purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for 
each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2028.’’. 
Æ 
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