Sen. Julia Coleman leads bipartisan national effort urging action on toxic chemicals in menstrual products

Minnesota State Senator Julia Coleman (R–Waconia) today announced that she is leading a bipartisan coalition of 19 female lawmakers from across the country in urging U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take swift federal action on toxic chemicals found in menstrual products.

The letter, signed by lawmakers from Minnesota, New York, Utah, and Michigan, urges the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate and regulate the presence of PFAS (“forever chemicals”), lead, arsenic, and other harmful substances in products millions of Americans use every month.

“These are products that are marketed as safe and trusted,” Sen. Coleman said. “But without ingredient disclosure or stronger oversight, people have no way of knowing what they’re actually using. No one should have to wonder if the products they count on for basic health and hygiene could be harmful.”

The coalition is bipartisan and includes five lawmakers from Minnesota, five from New York, eight from Utah, and one from Michigan. Together, they are urging Secretary Kennedy and the Department of Health and Human Services to:

  1. Investigate the prevalence of toxic chemicals in menstrual products.
  2. Work with the FDA to strengthen regulation and require comprehensive ingredient disclosure.
  3. Launch a national public education campaign on safe menstrual product use and alternatives.
  4. Support research into the long-term health effects of chemical exposures from these products.

Sen. Coleman has already been a leader on this issue in Minnesota, authoring Minnesota Senate File 376, a bill that would prohibit the sale of menstrual products containing intentionally added toxic chemicals like lead, arsenic, or other chemicals of high concern and require full ingredient disclosure.

“Everyone deserves access to safe, non-toxic menstrual products no matter their income, race, or zip code. We cannot ignore the clear risks posed by unregulated chemicals in products used by millions of Americans every day,” said Sen. Coleman.

The full letter can be read here.