#Benzene Market

[businesspointnews]

Benzene Market Report 2023-2028: Growth Opportunities and Recent DevelopmentsBenzene Market

IMARC Group has recently released a new research study titled “Benzene Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028”, offers a detailed analysis of the benzene market drivers, segmentation, growth opportunities, trends and competitive landscape to understand the current and future market scenarios. Market Overview:  The global benzene market size…

[neha24blog]

Benzene Market Segment Analysis By End-Use, Production Process, Region And Forecast Till 2030: Grand View Research Inc.

San Francisco, 27 July 2023: The Report Benzene Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report Derivative By End-use, By Production Process (Catalytic Reforming), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030 The global benzene market size is expected to reach USD 74.32 billion by 2030, as per the new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2022…

[chemanalystdata]

Benzene Market Size, Growth | Global Industry Analysis & Forecast, 2030 | ChemAnalyst

According to ChemAnalyst report, “Global Benzene Market: Plant Capacity, Production, Operating Efficiency, Demand & Supply, End Use, Distribution Channel, Region, Competition, Trade, Customer & Price Intelligence Market Analysis, 2015-2030”, global Benzene market has shown considerable growth in historic period and is anticipated to achieve a CAGR of 2.9% during the forecast period. As the demand of Benzene is rapidly increasing for the production of aromatics from petrochemicals industry is likely to propel the benzene market in upcoming years. Due to the increased urbanization, the demand of benzene for consumer products such as furniture wax, thinners, detergents, industrial solvents, paints and others have also increased. The production of benzene is highly associated with safety standards on human health as well as environment which further enhances the compliance standards.

Read Full Report Here: https://www.chemanalyst.com/industry-report/benzene-market-56

Benzene with a molecular formula, C6H6, is an organic compound which is a colorless and highly flammable aromatic Hydrocarbon and parent compound of many other important aromatic compounds. It is widely used as a feedstock in four chain of petrochemicals including Isocyanates, Phenolics, Nylon and Styrenics. It is produced by oil refining process as a by-product and can be found in gasoline, crude oil and cigarette smoke. Long term exposure to Benzene can result in detrimental health effects as a potential carcinogen and environmental effects. The chemical processes that are involved in the industrial manufacturing of Benzene are Toluene Hydrodealkylation, Catalytic reforming, Toluene disproportionation, and steam cracking. Catalytic reforming process is frequently used in the US as a major source of Benzene.

Benzene has numerous domestic and Industrial applications as they are extensively used in the manufacturing of plastics, resins, rubber lubricants, synthetic fibers, dyes, drugs, pesticides, detergents and others. It is primarily used as a solvent in chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Consumption of Benzene in various sectors including automotive and aerospace is expected to boost the Benzene market in the upcoming years. Several companies that manufacture Benzene and its derivatives such as ethylbenzene, cumene, alkylbenzene, aniline, cyclohexane etc are expanding their sales and production as it is used as a key solvent in several commercial, industrial and research operations. Owing to the growing urbanization, derivatives such as Cyclohexane is likely to boost the textile industry as it is required as a raw material to produce Nylon. Demand of Benzene derivates in paint and coating industry is further expected to witness a growth in Benzene market worldwide. Due to the diving demand, the prices of benzenes and its derivatives hit 18-year record low at the end of final quarter of 2020. Improved performance of crude oil can help in achieving a complete recovery in petrochemical derivatives. Additionally, surging demand for its derivatives, Acetone and Styrene from pharmaceutical and packaging sector is anticipated to push the demand recovery for Benzene during the forecast period. In Asia Pacific and Middle East, the demand of Styrene is continuously growing due to increased demand for rubber tires in both regions.

Request Sample Report: Benzene Market Analysis Report

In 2020, due to the onset of COVID-19, the Benzene market was negatively impacted during the pandemic. Due to government restrictions and nationwide lockdowns, Automotive industry halted their operations which minimized the demand of Benzene and its derivatives. Several companies that manufacture Benzene underwent indefinite turnarounds in order to recover the loss in their revenues and to idle the excessive inventories in Q4 of 2020 on severe demand disruption and global supply chain pressured by Coronavirus. Thai company IRPC Pcl delayed a project of expanding the Benzene capacity of around 400KTPA as a response.  

Region wise, APAC region holds the largest share of Benzene market worldwide. Due to increasing capacity of downstream para-xylene in China, it is driving the consumption of Benzene in Asia Pacific. In China, India and ASEAN countries, the demand of Benzene is  driven by the increased markets for end-users like packaging, electronics and home appliances, and construction.

According to ChemAnalyst report, Global Benzene Market: Plant Capacity, Production, Operating Efficiency, Demand & Supply, Application, End Use, Distribution Channel, Region, Competition, Trade, Customer & Price Intelligence Market Analysis, 2015-2030, some of the major players operating in global Benzene market include Royal Dutch Shell Plc., China National Petroleum Corporation (Sinopec), ExxonMobil Corporation, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Haldia Petrochemicals Limited, JX Holdings, Inc., GS Caltex, Reliance Industries Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Others.

“Being linked to the downstream applications in automotive, adhesives, paint and coatings, detergents and others, the global Benzene Industry has shown significant growth along with increased macro-economic factors and changing in the consumer preference. It is expected that India is going to become the world's fifth largest consumer market in the upcoming years. In addition, growing per capita income in various Countries poised a stronger outlook to the country’s Benzene demand. The government restrictions on travel ban due to the global crises affected the global supply chain logistics and caused immediate shortage of key feedstock chemicals hence increased the prices of Benzene Meanwhile, China serves as the key growth region as well with sufficiently installed capacities and developing technologies. With new competitors emerging across the Asian Benzene market, it is extremely important to keep a focus on which region will grab the biggest market share during the forecast period.” said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research-based management consulting firm promoting ChemAnalyst worldwide.

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[chemicalresearchupdates]

(Trifluoromethoxy) Benzene Market: A Deep Dive into Key Market Players and Products

(Trifluoromethoxy) Benzene Market Definition: (Trifluoromethoxy) benzene, also known as trifluoromethoxybenzene, is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C7H5F3O. It is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor and is widely used in various industrial applications, primarily as an intermediate in the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty chemicals. This compound is valued for its unique properties and versatility in chemical synthesis.

Market Overview & Scope: The (Trifluoromethoxy) Benzene market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by its expanding applications across different industries. With a broad scope that extends to pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty chemicals, this market caters to a wide range of end-users. It is essential in the synthesis of various advanced materials and plays a pivotal role in the development of innovative products. As a result, the (Trifluoromethoxy) Benzene market has gained substantial attention and interest from both manufacturers and consumers.

Market Growth: The market for (Trifluoromethoxy) Benzene is experiencing robust growth due to its increasing demand in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and the broader chemical industry. This growth is fueled by the compound's unique chemical properties, which make it an essential component in the synthesis of various organic compounds. The expansion of the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors, coupled with advancements in chemical research and development, has created a favorable environment for the market's continued expansion.

Market Industry: The (Trifluoromethoxy) Benzene market industry is characterized by a diverse range of players, including chemical manufacturers, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and agrochemical producers. These stakeholders collaborate in various capacities to utilize (Trifluoromethoxy) benzene as a crucial building block for their respective products. The industry is marked by continuous innovation and development to meet the evolving needs of end-users across multiple sectors.

Trends Several trends are shaping the (Trifluoromethoxy) Benzene market's trajectory. Firstly, there is a growing emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly processes in its production, aligning with the broader trend of green chemistry. Additionally, research and development efforts are focusing on discovering new applications for this compound, expanding its utility in various industries. Lastly, regulatory changes and quality control measures are also influencing the market, as safety and purity standards continue to evolve.

In conclusion, the (Trifluoromethoxy) Benzene market is dynamic and evolving, driven by its significance in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and specialty chemical sectors. As demand continues to grow, the industry is likely to witness ongoing innovations and adapt to changing market trends, solidifying its place in the global chemical landscape.

[marketwire]

Ethyl Benzene market size is forecast to reach $28.2 billion by 2025, after growing at a CAGR of 4.3% during 2020-2025. Ethyl benzene is a colorless liquid with a gasoline-like odor and high inflammability.

[marketspace360]

Ethyl Benzene Market Trends, Leading Players and Forecast 2029

[data-bridge]

Benzene Market Growing to Unveil a Remarkable CAGR of 2.59% By 2028, Key Drivers, Size, Share, Demand and Opportunity Analysis

Industry Analysis

Benzene market will grow at a rate of 2.59% for the forecast period of 2021 to 2028. Rise in the demand for styrene polymers from various end-user industries acts as a vital factor driving the growth of benzene market.

Additionally, the credible Benzene Market report helps the manufacturer in finding out the effectiveness of the existing channels of distribution, advertising programs, or media, selling methods and the best way of distributing the goods to the eventual consumers. Taking up such market research report is all the time beneficial for any company whether it is a small scale or large scale, for marketing of products or services. It makes effortless for Chemical and Materials industry to visualize what is already available in the market, what market anticipates, the competitive environment, and what should be done to surpass the competitor.

Get a Free Sample of The Report: https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-benzene-market

Market Insights and Scope    

Benzene is defined as a highly flammable, colourless, sweet smelling aromatic hydrocarbon and a ware petrochemical industrial solvent. It has a tendency to evaporate rapidly on being exposed to air and is a petrochemical product which has various subsidiaries such as aniline, alkyl benzene, cumene, cyclohexane, chlorobenzene, ethyl benzene, nitrobenzene, phenol among others. It is used in numerous sectors such as consumer products, electrical & electronics, transportation, constructions, and medical and is also used as a solvent in large range of commercial and economical industries.  

The Benzene Market report encompasses various segments linked to Chemical and Materials industry and market with comprehensive research and analysis. These comprise industry outlook with respect to critical success factors (CSFs), industry dynamics that mainly covers drivers and restraints, market segmentation & value chain analysis, key opportunities, application and technology outlook, regional or geographical insight, country-level analysis, key company profiles, competitive landscape, and company market share analysis. All the data, figures and information are backed up by well recognized analysis tools which include SWOT analysis and Porter’s Five Forces analysis. So, take business to the peak level of growth with the all-inclusive Data Bridge Market research report.

Get full access to the report: https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-benzene-market

Industry Segmentation and Size

Benzene market is segmented on the basis of derivative and end-use industry. The growth amongst the different segments helps you in attaining the knowledge related to the different growth factors expected to be prevalent throughout the market and formulate different strategies to help identify core application areas and the difference in your target markets.

Based on derivative, the benzene market is segmented into alkyl benzene, cumene, cyclohexane, ethyl benzene, nitro benzene and others.

The benzene market is also segmented on the basis of end-use industry into construction, transportation, medical, pulp and paper, automobile industries, packaging and textile.

Market Country Level Analysis

The countries covered in the benzene market report are

U.S., Canada and Mexico in North America, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Rest of Europe in Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, Israel, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America as part of South America.

A reliable Benzene Market marketing report proves to be the finest and excellent market research report as it is formulated with the following critical factors. These consist of primary research, benchmarking studies, secondary research, company profiles, competitive intelligence & reporting, syndicated research, data collection, data processing and analysis, survey design, and survey programming. The report performs market study and analysis to provide market data by considering new product development from beginning to launch. The Chemical and Materials business report also provides evaluations based on the market type, organization size, availability on-premises, end-users’ organization type, and the availability in areas such as North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa.

Industry Share Analysis

The major players covered in the benzene market report are

China National Petroleum Corporation, Haldia Petrochemicals Limited, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, NAFTPRO Petroleum Products, GS Caltex Corporation, Dow, Reliance Industries Limited, SABIC, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Repsol, Arsol Aromatics GmbH & Co. KG, BASF SE and ExxonMobil Corporation among other domestic and global players. Market share data is available for global, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America separately.

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Contact: Data Bridge Market Research Tel: +1-888-387-2818   Email: Sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com

[chronivore]

Sunday, August 5, 1888, noted German automotive pioneer Bertha Benz (née Ringer 1849-1944), wife & business partner of automobile inventor Karl Friedrich Benz (1844-1929), made the world’s first cross-country automobile journey.

☞Bertha’s husband Karl, with Bertha’s financial backing, had invented what is generally regarded as the world’s first automobile, the Benz Patent Motorwagen, & although he had built three of them by 1888, he had only driven them on short test drives.

☞According to Wikipedia: “Mercedes-Benz traces its origins to Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft’s 1901 Mercedes & Karl Benz’s 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is widely regarded as the first gasoline-powered automobile.”

☞On August 5, 1888, without informing her husband, & without the permission of the authorities, Bertha Benz took her sons Richard & Eugen, ages thirteen & fifteen, for the historic trip in Benz Patent Motorwagen № 3 from Mannheim to Pforzheim, a distance of about 66 miles.

☞Ostensibly, the purpose of her trip was to visit her mother; however, Bertha Benz had other motives: to prove to her husband, who had failed to consider marketing his invention adequately, that the automobile that they had both heavily invested in would become a financial success once it was shown to be useful to the general public, & to give her husband the confidence that his invention had a future.

☞Along the way, Bertha had to solve numerous technical problems. The Benz Motorwagen ran on ligroin, also known as benzine, which is a type of naptha or cleaning solvent that was available only at apothecary shops, so she stopped in Wiesloch at the city pharmacy to purchase the fuel. A blacksmith had to help mend a drive chain at one point. When the brakes needed to be repaired, Bertha Benz invented brake linings. She also used a hatpin to clean a clogged fuel line, & she insulated an ignition wire with a garter.

☞Bertha Benz left Mannheim around dawn & reached Pforzheim somewhat after dusk, notifying her husband of her successful journey by electric telegraph. She drove back to Mannheim the next day.

☞The undated illustration depicts Bertha Benz along with her sons Eugen & Richard at an apothecary shop to by benzene to fuel the Benz Patent Motorwagen during the world’s first cross-country automobile journey in August 1888.

[jerdazenglobal]

How to Choose an Air Purifier for Your Yoga Room?

A yoga room definitely needs an air purifier. But how to choose one can be difficult for consumers. Today, I will teach you how to select the right one, including several factors to consider: CADR value, filter types, noise level, and more. Finally, I will recommend several highly rated air purifier models on the market.

First Factor: CADR Value (Clean Air Delivery Rate)

CADR value is an important indicator of an air purifier’s performance, representing how much clean air it can deliver in a given time. This is basically the most important metric for selection. Choosing an air purifier with a higher CADR value will purify the air more quickly and effectively. Generally, the higher the CADR value, the higher the purification efficiency. Home yoga rooms are generally around 20㎡.

Next, Filter Types

The type of filter directly affects the air purification effect. Air purifiers generally have three layers of filters with the following functions:

Pre-filter: Captures larger particles to protect other filters.

HEPA filter: Removes airborne particles such as dust, pollen, and pet dander.

Activated carbon filter: Absorbs harmful gases and odors in the air, such as formaldehyde and benzene.

If you don’t understand all this, it’s okay; just make sure the filter includes these three layers.

Next, Noise Level

Yoga practice definitely requires a quiet environment, so the noise level of an air purifier is also a factor to consider. It is recommended to choose models with low operating noise to ensure you are not disturbed during yoga practice. A good environment can make your practice more effective.

For Households, Energy Consumption

An energy-efficient air purifier not only helps the environment but also reduces electricity costs. When purchasing, check the energy efficiency rating of the air purifier and choose a high-efficiency product; otherwise, it can be very costly.

Is it Smart?

Modern air purifiers often come with smart features such as air quality detection, automatic speed adjustment, and remote control. These features enhance user convenience, allowing you to focus on your yoga practice without worrying about air quality.

Recommended Air Purifiers for Yoga Rooms

When choosing an air purifier, it’s not just about performance; brand is also important. Women should choose based on their own needs. Parameters are not as important as personal preference. Here are some common air purifiers on the market, each with its characteristics, but we will also recommend our JZ200.

Dyson Pure Cool TP04: Although equipped with HEPA and activated carbon filters, it is somewhat noisy, especially at higher speeds, which can disrupt the peaceful environment of yoga practice.

Xiaomi Air Purifier Pro: Cost-effective, but its filters are not easy to replace.

Philips AC2889: Features multiple filters and intelligent air quality detection, but suitable for smaller areas.

IQAir HealthPro Plus: High-efficiency HEPA filter suitable for larger spaces, but it is more expensive, which can be a financial burden for ordinary home yoga practitioners.

Our Product: JZ200

We strongly recommend our product JZ200, which combines the strengths of other brands and is a balanced air purifier for yoga rooms. Here is a brief description of its selling points and functions:

Three-layer filter: Customizable replacement to meet different air purification needs.

Automatic mode: Adjusts airflow based on air quality to ensure optimal air quality.

Sleep mode: Low noise operation at night ensures a quiet environment for yoga practice.

Timer and child lock: Enhances safety and convenience.

Filter replacement indicator and air quality sensor: Monitors air quality in real-time and reminds you to replace filters promptly.

High CADR value: CADR reaches 200m³/h, suitable for rooms up to Sq.Foot.

Low noise: Operates between 23 and 53dB with four-speed settings for various needs.

Jerdazen aims to create a good training environment for yoga enthusiasts. Therefore, the JZ200 is positioned as a yoga air purifier. We hope to get real feedback from users to help us better iterate the product and assist your yoga activities!

For more: https://www.jerdazen.com/blogs/dynamics/air-purifier-for-yoga-room

[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

tuesday again 6/6/2023

two things to frontload:

if you have good vibes to send off in service of me getting a livable apartment in the greater houston tx area i would be most grateful, bc the hunt ain't fuckin goin too fuckin great

go play ABZÛ

listening

soul bossa nova by quincy jones bc it popped up on my discover weekly. i can only assume spotify recced this to me for bossa nova reasons bc i have been categorically ignoring austin powers my entire life and intend to continue on in this fashion.

it is a bop tho.

-

reading

when i wrote the pinned post for this blog i settled on "a common throughline in Shit What I Like is understanding how and why systems work" bc i hadn't yet listened to Well There's Your Problem, a podcast with slides about engineering disasters and systemic failures, and "OSHA aficionado" is shorter but less snappy than "WTYPP fan". anyway when i think "chemical spill" i do not generally think "hand sanitizer spill", and when i think "how do i get rid of all this unsellable poorly made hand sanitizer made in the early days of the pandemic" i do not immediately leap to "well i'll just dump pallets in this parking lot and warehouse and surely it won't spill and/or explode bc hand sanitizer is a product that makes you safer".

ArtNaturals was, at that point, not on the [FDA warning] list. Its sanitizer, labeled with a tasteful, millennial-friendly design that said it was vegan and infused with jojoba oil, was marketed as “safe for kids” and “a great bulk hand sanitizer pack for parents and teachers.” At least two school districts on the West Coast had purchased the sanitizer to distribute to students, in addition to two Ivy League universities. Then, in March 2021, a year into sales, an independent lab in Connecticut called Valisure announced that it had found benzene in the company’s sanitizer. Benzene, a widely used industrial chemical derived from petroleum, can be absorbed through the skin and is known to be a risk factor for leukemia.

came across it bc my rss feed really wanted me to subscribe to longreads (no), but this one did catch my eye as i was checking to make sure the site still wasn't for me

-

watching

watching this was a unexpectedly funny experience bc i recognized one of the backing instrumentals as a previous tuesdaypost song, which kind of felt like solving a mystery book on chapter three bc u knew an obscure fact about eels. this documentary came out in nov 22 and the song was one of this past feb's tuesdaysongs so i can only assume the spike in popularity from the documentary propelled it onto my discover weekly playlist??? the internet is a series of algorithmic tubes &tc

this is a tremendous work, as a documentary/history/archival effort/piece of art. it made me tear up. there's a very lovely sequence about memory and legacy that got me thinking a lot again about how i would like to be remembered. ive rewritten this section four times, when usually i don't redraft the tuesdaypost much at all. boils down to: complex and weird topic to talk about as an orphan, i am reluctant to be any more emotionally vulnerable than i absolutely have to during this time of great cross-country change and moving upheaval.

i appreciated how this was not tearjerker webby bait, which would have made it feel very hollow and embittered me even more during a week i am already predisposed to hate humanity. instead, mr perjurer is simply very good at his job (being an ethical documentarian)

-

playing

one game i really loved and one game i really hated, so it goes.

despite religiously downloading the epic store free game of the week bc i have a reminder written in my planner, i never fucking remember to actually look at what i have in that library.

ABZÛ genuinely healed my heart during a very unpleasant weekend.

i don't use this as a recs platform except for this one time when i am cashing in all my chips. go play ABZÛ, it takes like an hour and a half.

all you need to know about it you can get from the cover art. it is not a hard game and it is not a horror game. i went in totally blind and the less you know about this game the better. i was delighted nearly every minute. every time i saw an ammonite i felt like i was seeing an old friend. there are SO many clever game design choices i want to talk about. message me after you play this. i said "of COURSE IT WAS AUSTIN FUCKING WINTORY ON THE SCORE" during the credits. what an absolutely goddamn perfect little jewel of a game.

AGAIN: go play ABZÛ.

i also played Call of the Sea, bc it was in my epic library and i wanted something fast and oceanic to continue the high of ABZÛ.

Call of the Sea did not continue the high of ABZÛ. i think this team carefully and thoughtfully sidestepped several of the usual issues is making something Lovecraftian but fell into the rest of the pits. eg i liked that they had Polynesian culture consultants, but from an interview it seemed like it was limited to a one-day crash course? i am deeply grateful this isn't a dead-wife game and the female protagonist has a great deal of agency, but she's still a rich white lady from boston trekking about the Tahitian islands commenting on primitive structures, which made me suck air in through my teeth at many points. there is an "ancient slave culture" thread that never actually resolves. i really wish it resolved. the game overall is in a very weird place, trapped between the norms and mores of the early 40s and the 2020s. you have Got to commit to one or the other.

the overall vibe is very polished for a first game. general vibes are Firewatch but puzzle-adventure. the lighting is a little too dynamic and was very distracting throughout. due to this studio's age (new) and odd location (spain) and how their debut game came out (took a year and a half to make, debuted on gamepass) i understand why this game exists the way it does from a marketing and industry standpoint and why they favored visual polish and art style over everything else. it's still annoying bc it is so close to an interesting game.

the twist particularly infuriated me as a chronically ill person, spoilers for the twist behind rot13

gur gjvfg vf gung Abenu gur cebgnt vf frpergyl n "Qnhtugre bs Pguhyuh", naq ure puebavp cebterffvat gb grezvany vyyarff vf op fur'f ba Rnegu naq abg va gur Urnirayl Ernyzf jvgu Pguhyh jurer fur orybatf. guvf frg bss fbzr fvyrag nynez oryyf gb zr nf n puebavpnyyl vyy crefba, op vg vf Fb fvzvyne gb gur Arj Ntr "vaqvtb puvyqera" pbaprcg. n terng qrny bs zrqvpny nohfr naq abezny nohfr fheebhaqf guvf pbaprcg. guvf ernyyl fbherq gur raqvat sbe zr

-

making

fallow week. if it isn't moving-related it isn't happening, and even then a lot of moving-related things are grinding on painfully slowly

[thescrumblingmidwife]

Are charcoal pads actually safe? They seem like the kind of thing to be revealed to be detrimental in like 40 years. My favorite brand just started using charcoal and I don’t know how to feel about it.

Hi Anon,

Not gonna lie, I had to do some digging for this one. I know putting charcoal in everything is very *in* right now, and it's usually unregulated and sometimes potentially problematic (for instance, don't ingest charcoal if you take any medications! It interferes with the absorption of medications). But I had never heard of charcoal pads, so thanks for bringing it to my attention.

MENSTRUAL PRODUCT SAFETY

Menstrual products are regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as medical devices. The FDA does not require manufacturers to label ingredients, nor do they ban the use of known harmful products, and there is no safety standard that needs to be met. The labels "organic" and "all natural" are advertising and not statement of fact. Testing that has been done to check for harmful products has been done by watchdog agencies and independent researchers.

Here's a good rundown:

What is known is that a lot of menstrual products do contain harsh chemicals that are better avoided. Most fall below the threshold of increasing cancer and non-cancer health risks, but a few chemicals to be on the lookout for are benzene, n-heptane and 1,4-dioxane. (Lin et al., 2020), as these can increase cancer risk. Chlorine and other chemicals can cause irritation of the vuvla. Also problematic is the use of phthalates, which are endocrine disrupters (can mess with your hormones) (Gao et al., 2020). Another problem is polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or "forever chemicals," which show up in a lot of products, and never leave your body. The New York Times recently did a testing of 44 products to check for problematic chemicals, and they found that PFAS are present in most products in at least very small amounts, although the lowest levels were found in period underwear and medical-grade silicone inserts.

So, our starting point is that commercially available disposable pads and tampons are already something to be concerned about, because no one in any position of power is doing much to make sure they're safe. They touch mucous membranes, which means there is potential for significant absorption. We can talk in a minute about how to choose the safest products from what's out there.

But let's get back to charcoal!

The purported purpose of the charcoal is to cut down on "period odor," which is not something people around you can detect. This is a case of advertising convincing you there's a problem so they can sell you a solution. The company that manufactures these pads, Kimberly-Clark, does supply ingredient lists and their stated purpose on their website. (It's not clear if this is the entire ingredient list, but it's something.) Interestingly, the function of charcoal is listed only as "A colorant used to color a material." Nothing about odor absorption. The charcoal doesn't come into contact with the vulvar skin or vaginal mucosa, so I don't think the charcoal itself poses much of a risk. I suspect this is more a case of fad-based misleading advertising. Will they harm you? Probably not. Will they do something magical and new? Probably not.

The one upside may be that the use of charcoal in menstrual products reflects manufacturer's response to the market demanding products with more "natural" ingredients and fewer harsh chemicals. But this is something that should be tested.

Yikes, that was a lot.

SO WHAT'S SAFE?

It's important to note that none of the chemical levels in any of these products are so bad that you're going to get cancer from wearing a single pad. The most common risk is vulvar irritation from harsh chemicals. The scariest (but rarer) risk is cumulative exposure over a long period of time for a marginally increased risk of some health issues.

But here are some tips for picking the safest products for your body:

Use a medical-grade silicone insert/menstrual cup (like a Diva cup).

Use reusable period underwear or pads from a reputable brand, like Thinx, and wash them before you use them.

If using disposable pads or tampons, absolutely avoid any with fragrances.

Use the lowest possible absorbency you need - the higher the absorbency, the more the material has been treated.

Try using disposable incontinence pads instead of menstrual pads, as these had lower rates of PFAS and chemicals.

Although there's no way to guarantee it's truthful, try to stick to brands and products that are generally chlorine-free. cotton-based, etc.

If you experience any irritation, redness, or sensitivity, try a new product!

And for those charcoal pads - they don't strike me as being any worse for you than the rest of the Kotex's fragrance-free lineup. It's not as problematic as swallowing charcoal or rubbing the dentin off your teeth with it. You may be right that in 15 years we'll have realized this was like that time we were putting radium in everything, but I doubt it?

Sources:

Lin, N., Ding, N., Meza-Wilson, E., Manuradha Devasurendra, A., Godwin, C., Kyun Park, S., & Batterman, S. (2020). Volatile organic compounds in feminine hygiene products sold in the US market: A survey of products and health risks. Environment International, 144, 105740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.105740

Gao, C. J., Wang, F., Shen, H. M., Kannan, K., & Guo, Y. (2020). Feminine hygiene products-A neglected source of phthalate exposure in women. Environmental Science & Technology, 54(2), 930–937. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b03927