IITH develops nanofibers based feminine sanitary napkins

Hyderabad, Sep 20 (PTI) An Indian Institute ofTechnology Hyderabad team has developed a nanofibers-basedfeminine hygiene product without super-absorbent polymers(SAP). Professor Chandra Shekhar Sharma, Faculty- ChemicalEngineering, IIT Hyderabad and his team have introduced theuse of electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibers as amaterial for absorbent core in feminine sanitary napkins andto eliminate the use of harmful, non-biodegradable SAP fromcommercially available sanitary napkins without compromisingthe performance, rather with more enhanced absorbency andcomfort. “Nanofibers based feminine hygiene products (withoutSAP) provides a safe alternative to female hygiene as we knowthat prolonged use of commercially available products may evenlead to toxic shock syndrome and ovarian cancer," Prof Sharmawas quoted as saying in a statement to media issued by IITH. “The main focus of this work is to minimise the use ofSAPs in feminine hygiene products considering their possibleadverse health effects. For this, we intend to fabricatecellulose-based nanofibers and suggest their use as absorbentcore in feminine hygiene products," he added. The statement noted that menstrual hygiene is animportant issue for every woman, as poor menstrual hygieneincreases the vulnerability towards reproductive tractinfections. Among the different types of feminine hygiene productsthat are commercially available, sanitary napkins are the mostcommon and disposable absorbent hygiene product. However, there are some harmful chemicals, like SAP,present in the commercially available sanitary napkins, arepetroleum-based products and therefore do not degrade readilyin landfills and are also not eco-friendly, yhe release added.PTI RS DK RCJBAS