Hundreds of American women filed a lawsuit on October 11 at the Los Angeles County Superior Court accusing the well-known feminine hygiene brand Carefree of producing pads containing the carcinogenic chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), leading to illnesses or discomfort among them.
According to the New York Post’s report on Wednesday, the plaintiffs in this lawsuit stated that they have been using these pads regularly for a long time, with the product in constant contact with their external genitalia and perineum.
Some women wore these pads for over 10 hours each time, resulting in potential exposure to the substance hundreds or even thousands of times over the years.
The lawsuit points out that these areas have rich and permeable blood vessels, allowing substances to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
The plaintiffs claim that prolonged use led to conditions such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid disorders, chronic inflammation, infections, high cholesterol, and immune system diseases.
Some individuals also reported experiencing decreased fertility or infertility due to the use of these pads.
The lawsuit further states that these women are now anxious about the possibility of developing cancer in the future, impacting their quality of life.
Carefree, previously owned by Johnson & Johnson, is now owned by Essity.
Perfluorooctanoic acid, mentioned in the lawsuit, is a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) that can persist in the environment and in the human body for long periods. Due to its difficulty to degrade naturally, it is often referred to as a “forever chemical.”
Perfluorooctanoic acid is widely utilized in various consumer products and industrial manufacturing for its excellent waterproof, oil-resistant, and heat-resistant properties over the past decades.
Previous scientific studies have indicated that exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid is associated with increased risks of kidney and testicular cancer, as well as issues related to cholesterol, thyroid function, and the immune system.
The lawsuit alleges that the manufacturer was aware of the presence of perfluorooctanoic acid through low-cost testing methods and had the capability to switch to materials without PFAS, yet failed to do so. Additionally, there was no disclosure regarding PFAS in labels, ingredient lists, packaging, or advertisements.
The plaintiffs claim that the manufacturer received notification on February 6, 2024, about the detection of perfluorooctanoic acid in Carefree pads but decided to continue selling them.
The lawsuit also mentions that California has banned the addition of PFAS in specific textile products since January 1, 2025, and yet the related products were still being sold locally after the ban took effect, violating regulations.
The upscale supermarket chain Gelson’s in Los Angeles is also listed as a defendant for selling these products.
The plaintiffs are seeking punitive damages from the court, with the amount to be sufficient to penalize the implicated manufacturers.
It is important to note that these allegations are part of the ongoing lawsuit and are not conclusive evidence that the products indeed contain perfluorooctanoic acid or that the health issues reported by the plaintiffs are directly linked to the use of the pads.
At the same time, the accusations against Carefree cannot conclusively prove that using these pads will definitely lead to the health risks stated by the plaintiffs.