Extractable Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Menstrual Underwear

Menstrual underwear are reusable, leak-resistant menstrual hygiene products. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent anthropogenic chemicals that present health risks. We performed targeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis on PFAS in methanol extracts of three menstrual underwear garments and one nonmenstrual organic cotton underwear as a control. Twenty PFAS were detected above the limits of quantitation in at least one layer of a garment. All layers of menstrual and nonmenstrual garments contained at least one target PFAS, with total target PFAS concentrations up to 1.69 ng PFAS/g fabric. Outer crotch layers, which contacts the epidermis, exhibited the highest total PFAS concentrations. The inner gusset, worn in contact with the genitals, also contained PFAS, suggesting a potential exposure route. Both short- and long-chain PFAS of various subclasses were among the layers, with fluorotelomers detected most frequently. These findings indicate that monomeric PFAS may be present in both menstrual and nonmenstrual underwear, a potential source of PFAS exposure for users, and contribute PFAS to domestic wastewater via laundering.