pons, according to a 1992 staff report of a sub-
committee of the Committee on Government Oper-
ations, House of Representatives.
(5) The Food and Drug Administration has re-
lied on data provided by feminine hygiene manufac-
turers in determining product safety.
(6) Although the Food and Drug Administra-
tion currently requires tampon manufacturers to
monitor dioxin levels in their finished products, the
information is not readily available to the public.
(7) The Environmental Protection Agency has
concluded that dioxins are a probable human car-
cinogen (cancer-causing agent).
(8) Recent studies have produced conflicting in-
formation about the link between dioxin exposure
and increased risks for endometriosis.
(9) The Environmental Protection Agency has
concluded that people with high exposure to dioxins
may be at risk for other noncancer effects that could
suppress the immune system, increase the risk of
pelvic inflammatory disease, reduce fertility, and
interfere with fetal and childhood development.
(10) An independent study in 1991 found that
tampons commonly included any of the following ad-
ditives: Chlorine compounds; absorbency enhancers
(such as surfactants like polysorbate-20); natural
and synthetic fibers (such as cotton, rayon, poly-
ester, and polyacrylate); deodorant; and fragrance.
(11) Toxic shock syndrome has been linked to
tampon use. Such syndrome is a rare bacterial-
caused illness that occurs mostly in menstruating
women. During 1979 and 1980, the syndrome was
responsible for at least 55 deaths and 1,066 nonfatal
cases.
(12) Independent research has shown that syn-
thetic fiber additives in tampons amplify toxin pro-
duction, which is associated with toxic shock syn-
drome.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH; RESEARCH ON
DIOXIN PURSUANT TO OFFICE OF RESEARCH
ON WOMEN’S HEALTH.
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 section:
‘‘SEC. 486C. CERTAIN PROJECTS REGARDING WOMEN’S
HEALTH.
‘‘(a) DIOXIN IN FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of NIH, in
collaboration with the Director of the Office, shall
provide for the conduct or support of research to de-
termine the extent to which the presence of dioxin,
synthetic fibers, and other additives in tampons and
other feminine hygiene products—
‘‘(A) pose any risks to the health of women
who use the products, including risks relating
to cervical cancer, endometriosis, infertility,
ovarian cancer, breast cancer, immune system
deficiencies, pelvic inflammatory disease, and
toxic shock syndrome; and
‘‘(B) pose any risks to the health of chil-
dren of women who used such products during
or before the pregnancies involved, including
risks relating to fetal and childhood develop-
ment.
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENT
REGARDING
DATA
FROM
MANUFACTURERS.—Research under paragraph (1)
shall include research to confirm the data on tam-
pons and other feminine hygiene products submitted
to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs by manu-
facturers of such products.
‘‘(3) DEFINITION.—For purposes of paragraph
(1), the term ‘feminine hygiene products’ means
tampons, pads, liners, and similar products used by
women with respect to menstruation or other geni-
tal-tract secretions.
‘‘(b) REPORTS.—Reports on the results of research
under subsection (a) shall be periodically submitted to the
Congress, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, the Ad-
ministrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and
the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Such reports
shall be made available to the public through the data sys-
tem and clearinghouse program established under section
486A, or through other appropriate means.’’.
Æ