# Pollution Tampons Tests Feminine Hygiene Products are Being Used to Identify Toxins in Rivers By Amelia Roblin | Published 2015-04-01 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tampon-test References: [magazine.good.is](http://magazine.good.is/articles/glow-in-the-dark-tampons-river-pollution) & [sheffield.ac.uk](http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/tampon-sewage-pollution-river-sheffield-university-1.453262) Some people have been clever enough to find alternate uses for [feminine hygiene products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natracare) in the sphere of health and first aid; but recently, a tampon test has been initiated within the environmental realm as well. Scientists in the UK are using these untreated bundles of cotton to soak up [optical brighteners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microplastics-test) in creeks, rivers and lakes to determine the instances and levels of contamination. Feminine hygiene products are proving to be great absorbent tools for investigating faults in the water treatment process; however, these goods were not actually designed for the job. There's an opportunity here for companies within the broader industry of [tissue and cotton products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wype-gel) to create purpose-made sponges for investigating the detergents and chemicals that are making it through the system. These would then be bathed in UV light to determine the severity of toxicity. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 42% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Alternative Uses for Feminine Hygiene Products:** Creating purpose-made sponges for investigating detergents and chemicals that make it through the water treatment system. - **Environmental Testing with Tampons:** Using tampons to identify instances and levels of contamination in rivers, creeks, and lakes. - **Absorbent Tools for Water Treatment Investigation:** Developing absorbent tools made from tissue and cotton products to investigate faults in the water treatment process. ### Who This Affects Most - **Tissue and Cotton Products:** Creating purpose-made sponges for investigating detergents and chemicals that make it through the water treatment system. - **Environmental Testing:** Using tampons to identify instances and levels of contamination in rivers, creeks, and lakes. - **Water Treatment:** Developing absorbent tools made from tissue and cotton products to investigate faults in the water treatment process. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Eco Hybrid Tampons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playtex-clean-comfort.md) - [Menstrual-Mimicking STI Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daye.md) - [Eco-Friendly Feminine Care Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecofriendly-tampons.md) - [Toilet Tablet Health Tests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urify1.md) - [Breathable Bamboo Sanitary Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/knh.md) - [AI-Powered Menstrual Care Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tulipon.md) - [Organic Water Quality Testers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colores-del-rio.md) - [Viral Organic Tampons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vive-for-your-v.md) - [Inclusive Tampon Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tampon-for-men.md)