A women-FOCUSED non-governmental organisation, The She Mission Initiatives, has petitioned the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over alleged safety concerns surrounding disposable sanitary pads sold in Nigeria.

The organisation, in a petition dated September 28, 2026, urged the three regulatory agencies to conduct an immediate nationwide post-market audit and comprehensive laboratory testing of sanitary pads manufactured locally and imported into the country.

The petition was based on findings reported in a 2024 scientific research paper published in the Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, titled: “Risk Assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds in Disposable Sanitary Pads in Nigeria.”

Director of the NGO, Pearllie Orji, said the organisation had formally placed NAFDAC, SON and FCCPC on notice over the concerns raised by the scientific report.

According to the organisation, the study, conducted by researchers from the Faculty of Sciences of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force Academy, examined 65 samples of disposable sanitary pads from popular brands sold in Nigeria.

The organisation said the study identified up to 34 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with about 17 specific VOCs confirmed across 16 major brands.

It further stated that the researchers detected compounds, including 1,2-dichloropropane, which it said had been associated with carcinogenic or toxic classifications under high-exposure models.

The NGO said the reported findings raised concerns about possible skin irritation, hormonal disruption and other long-term health implications, particularly because sanitary pads are designed for direct and prolonged contact with the skin around the vulva.