Latest news with #Venier
Euronews
2 days ago
- Health
- Euronews
Forever chemicals found in reusable menstrual products, study finds
Reusable women's hygiene products can contain toxic chemicals, according to a study published last week that tested items from North America, South America, and Europe. Published in Environmental Science and Technology Letters, the peer-reviewed article specifically found evidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances in eco-friendly menstrual and incontinence products, reviving the debate about the safety and health effects of feminine hygiene items. PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," consist of a large group of man-made substances with exceptional resistance to degradation. For more than 70 years, they have been added to various consumer products, among others, to enhance resistance to water, grease, and stains. The research team tested 59 products from five categories: period underwear, reusable pads, reusable incontinence underwear, reusable incontinence pads, and menstrual cups. To assess PFAS presence, scientists measured the total fluorine content, a chemical element whose elevated levels typically suggest the likely presence of 'forever chemicals'. They then extracted a smaller subset of 19 products and conducted a more in-depth analysis, targeting the levels of specific PFAS. PFAS were detected in 100 per cent of the smaller sample of 19 products. Evidence of intentionally added PFAS was found in nearly 30 per cent of the full group of 59 products, with period underwear and reusable pads showing the highest rates. Marta Venier, one of the study's authors and an environmental chemist at Indiana University, explained that the distinction between intentional and unintentional PFAS presence depends on the amount of total fluorine detected. 'When levels were above a certain threshold, that indicates that PFAS were added to the product intentionally to impart properties such as waterproofing, for example,' she told Euronews Health. In contrast, lower levels likely point to unintentional contamination during the manufacturing process, she added. This distinction is particularly significant. 'In each category of products, we found items that did not have intentionally added PFAS. This shows that you can still make these products without adding PFAS,' Venier pointed out. 'This tells us they [PFAS] are not a necessary addition to make the products functional,' she continued. What are the health risks of PFAS on women's health? PFAS include more than 10,000 substances; as a result, research has not fully determined the specific health effects of each one. Despite this gap, there is strong scientific evidence linking PFAS exposure to adverse health outcomes. In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified two PFAS as carcinogenic and possibly carcinogenic to humans. These included perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), both banned in the European Union. In addition to the risk of tumours, PFAS can damage the immune system of newborns due to maternal exposure to these toxic chemicals, which tend to accumulate in bodies over time, Tina Kold Jensen, a physician and environmental epidemiologist at the University of Southern Denmark, told Euronews Health. 'You are exposed to these substances through hygiene products, then it will take at least four years before half of what you're exposed to is out of the body. And since it's there, women of reproductive age pass them on to their children through the placenta and breast milk,' she said. Jensen also noted that PFAS exposure has been associated with other health issues, including high cholesterol, altered liver enzymes, kidney cancer, and reproductive problems. However, she emphasised that not all of these effects are fully confirmed and said that further research is needed. Another uncertainty concerns whether the direct contact of pads with the skin poses greater, lesser, or equal health risks compared to environmental exposure to 'forever chemicals'. 'PFAS exposure is mostly through the gastrointestinal channel. (...) Skin is quite a good barrier, but we don't know much. But here we're talking not only about the skin but also the vagina, its lips, that's different,' Kold Jensen said. Regarding reusable pads, Jensen added that environmental exposure is another concern: 'There's a lot of PFAS in the environment, and they will definitely get into the environment once you wash the pads,' she said. To sum up, there are still more questions than answers when it comes to the effects of PFAS on women's health. But do these eco-friendly pads pose other health risks? What do we know about reusable menstrual products? Sustainable period products are becoming increasingly common among young people. According to a 2022 study, in Spain, the use of reusable hygiene products surpassed that of disposable ones among people aged 26 to 35 at the time of the survey. The Catalan government launched a public health initiative offering a free menstrual cup, one pair of underwear and two packages of cloth pads to reduce both period poverty and the waste generated by disposable products last March. Reusable products, in fact, have been shown to be more sustainable alternatives to single-use items. Specifically, menstrual cups appear to have the lowest environmental impact, followed by period underwear and reusable pads. Aside from recent concerns about PFAS, reusable menstrual products have not been shown to pose any other major health threat, according to a global review on reusable menstrual pads. The only relevant concern appears to be skin irritation associated with long-term use of these products or inadequate cleaning or drying of the items. A similar study conducted on menstrual cups found that these products are generally safe, except for rare cases of vaginal injuries, toxic shock syndrome, or urinary problems. As for period underwear, major concerns are related to PFAS and other elements. An investigation conducted by the UK-based organisation Which? in 2023 found high silver levels in some popular period pants brands like Intima, M&S and Thinx. Thinx, in particular, has also been at the centre of the PFAS debate, when in 2020 Sierra Magazine published an investigation with the University of Notre Dame, finding PFAS in the period underwear of the brand. This led to one class-action case against the company, which was settled at the end of 2022. PFAS, however, are not exclusively present in reusable products, but they have also been found in disposable ones. In 2022, lab tests commissioned by the US consumer watchdog Mamavation and Environmental Health News revealed that PFAS were present in 48% of 46 tested sanitary pads, underwear liners, and incontinence pads. Another common factor for both single-use and reusable menstrual products is the need for further research to assess the types of PFAS present, their levels, and their health effects.
The Hill
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Scientists warn of toxic ‘forever chemicals' in reusable period products
Many reusable menstrual products that have gained increasing popularity among teens are packed with toxic 'forever chemicals,' a new study has found. Among the biggest repeat offenders are washable pads and underwear, according to the study, published on Tuesday in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. And as more consumers opt for multi-use products over their disposable counterparts, the study authors expressed cause for concern. 'Since reusable products are on the rise due to their increased sustainability compared to single-use products, it's important to ensure that these products are safe,' co-author Marta Venier, an associated professor at the University of Notre Dame, said in a statement. 'This is crucial, especially for adolescents and young women, who are more vulnerable to potential negative health effects,' Venier added. The compounds in question are known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and are prevalent in numerous household items, such as waterproof apparel, nonstick pans and various personal care products. There are an estimated 15,000 types of PFAS, all of which are manmade, and some of which have been linked to cancers and other severe illnesses. These so-called 'forever chemicals' linger nearly interminably in the environment and up to several years in the human body. Previous research in China sounded the alarm on the prevalence of PFAS in that country's personal hygiene products, including in sanitary pads, panty liners, tampons, paper diapers, menstrual cups and bactericidal liquids. In addition, a 2020 Sierra Magazine article — which included the participation of Graham Peaslee, senior author of the current study — identified 'intentional fluorine use' in one type of period underwear, which led to a lawsuit and $5 million settlement with the brand. To identify PFAS presence in products, scientists typically begin by deploying a broad-stroke screening tool: the assessment of total fluorine in a sample. They generally deem fluorine usage as 'intentional' — or deliberate in a product's formulation, as opposed to accidental contamination — when levels surpass a specific safety threshold. In the current study, the researchers narrowed their focus on 59 reusable hygiene products — such as period underwear, reusable pads, menstrual cups and reusable incontinence underwear and pads — from North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. The products, they explained, first underwent total fluorine screenings using a technology called particle-induced gamma-ray emission spectroscopy. These preliminary screenings showed that period underwear and reusable pads likely had the highest rates of intentional PFAS use: 33 percent and 25 percent of items in each of these product categories, respectively. The findings applied to markets across the globe, with intentional fluorination spotted in seven pairs of South American underwear, four North American pairs and two European pairs, according to the study. Following the initial fluorine scans, the scientists then chose 19 products for targeted analyses of 31 'ionic' and 11 'neutral' types of PFAS. Ionic PFAS are those molecules that can 'dissociate' in the environment, becoming highly mobile and capable of widespread contamination. Among the most notorious types of ionic PFAS are legacy compounds like PFOA and PFOS, which have largely been phased out of production but remain in the environment due to their persistence. Neutral PFAS, on the other hand, do not dissociate and were previously thought to be less toxic. But scientists have been challenging that assumption, as these compounds are highly volatile and can serve as precursors for ionic PFAS. In the more precise PFAS tests for the 19 period products, the researchers detected the compounds in 100 percent of the products, with two types of neutral PFAS — 6:2 and 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOH) — boasting the most abundant presence. Co-author Sydney Brady, a PhD candidate in Venier's group, stressed in a statement that 8:2 FTOH was one of the most common types of PFAS in the North American items, despite its elimination from food packing by manufacturers. That phase-out, Brady explained, occurred due to Food and Drug Administration concerns about the chemical's 'persistence in the body after dietary exposure.' 'Notably, 8:2 FTOH can be transformed into more toxic PFOA once inside the body,' Brady warned. While recognizing that far less research exists on PFAS exposure via skin versus food or water, the authors cited initial studies on dermal absorption as a potentially 'significant exposure pathway for PFAS when present in feminine hygiene products.' 'Feminine hygiene products stay in contact with the skin for extended periods of time,' Venier said. 'The risks from the dermal absorption of PFAS, especially neutral PFAS, are not well understood.' As such, the researchers called for further studies to define the risk of PFAS exposure via human skin. In addition, after identifying at least one sample per product category that contained zero intentionally added PFAS, they stressed that safer and healthier alternatives can likely be manufactured without them.
Reuters
17-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Italy picks former Terna CFO Scornajenchi to run gas grid group Snam
MILAN, April 17 (Reuters) - The Italian government has chosen a former top manager of power network company Terna ( opens new tab, Agostino Scornajenchi, to succeed Stefano Venier as CEO of gas grid group Snam ( opens new tab, state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) said on Thursday. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing administration controls Snam through CDP. Venier was appointed when the previous government led by Prime Minister Mario Draghi was still in power. Scornajenchi, who served as Terna's chief financial officer for six years until November 2023, currently heads the venture capital division of CDP. Snam's shareholders are expected to approve CDP's proposal at a meeting on May 14. Under Venier, who served a three-year mandate, Snam helped reduce Italy's dependence on Russian gas by setting up two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and boosting supplies from North Africa and Azerbaijan. Venier also clinched a deal with Edison to buy three gas storage sites and started work to boost the network's transport capacity from southern to northern Italy to increase the flexibility of the national gas infrastructure. Snam is a partner of energy major Eni ( opens new tab in Italy's first carbon capture and storage project and has won the support of the European Commission for building a grid to transport green hydrogen to northern Europe. The group - which derives the bulk of its profit from regulated activities including gas, LNG transport and storage management - posted a 14% yearly increase of its adjusted core profit last year to 2.75 billion euros ($3 billion). ($1 = 0.8800 euros)
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Italian gas grid operator Snam to acquire stake in OGE for $1.02bn
Italian gas grid operator Snam has signed an agreement with Infinity Investments, an investment vehicle of Abu Dhabi's Investment Authority, to acquire a 24.99% stake in Vier Gas Holding (VGH), which fully owns Open Grid Europe (OGE), for €920m ($1.02bn). OGE is Germany's largest independent gas transmission company, overseeing a network that spans approximately 12,000km. The company has an annual offtake volume of around 21 billion cubic metres (bcm) and serves more than 400 end customers. This acquisition gives Snam a minority share in OGE, allowing it to participate in the German gas market and potentially expand its presence in Europe's energy infrastructure. Snam has also entered into a separate share purchase agreement with Belgian transmission system operator Fluxys to sell a 0.5% stake in VGH following the completion of the deal. This will result in Snam and Fluxys holding almost equal shareholdings in VGH. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter (Q3) of the current year. Snam CEO Stefano Venier said: 'Upon completion of this acquisition, Snam will become the first-ever Italian energy player to make a sizeable entry into the German energy infrastructure space. 'The acquisition strengthens Snam's position as Europe's largest gas infrastructure operator and is fully in line with our strategy, which focuses on the development of a pan-European, multi-molecule network located along the key European energy corridors, and in particular its most relevant corridor, running from southern to northern Europe.' OGE's assets are strategically important to the European gas market, with 17 interconnections to seven bordering countries, particularly Germany, the largest market in Europe. The German market is expected to maintain strong demand for gaseous fuels, partly due to the development of the hydrogen market. The acquisition will extend Snam's gas pipeline network to more than 40,000km. It will also enhance Snam's involvement in the energy transition, particularly in the German Hydrogen Core Grid, aligning with the company's strategy to integrate with key hydrogen projects such as SoutH2Corridor, H2Med and SEEHyC. Venier expressed the company's ambitions to grow further within Europe, specifically targeting "the southernmost part of the Mediterranean area", while indicating that there are no plans to expand to other parts of the world. The acquisition will be financed through Snam's existing financial flexibility or hybrid financing instruments. Snam has engaged JPMorgan as its financial advisor and White&Case as its legal advisor for this transaction. In October 2024, Snam announced an investment of €14.5bn to adapt its infrastructure for the energy transition. "Italian gas grid operator Snam to acquire stake in OGE for $1.02bn" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
CBC
06-02-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Austrian skier Stephanie Venier wins women's super-G world title
Social Sharing Austrian skier Stephanie Venier won the women's super-G at the Alpine skiing world championships on Thursday in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria. Federica Brignone of Italy finished 0.10 seconds behind to take the silver medal, while Lauren Macuga of the United States and Kajsa Vickhoff Lie of Norway shared bronzes, 0.24 off the lead. WATCH | Venier captures world championship gold on home mountain: Austria's Stephanie Venier wins world championship super-G gold on home mountain 1 hour ago Duration 2:25 Canada's Cassidy Grey finished 20th after she was forced to do a re-run, after her first run was halted because organizers needed to fix the course following a crash. WATCH | Canadian Gray finishes 20th in world championship super-G: B.C.'s Cassidy Gray finishes 20th in world championship super-G 48 minutes ago Duration 1:59 Lindsey Vonn hooked a gate with her right arm early in her run and did not finish in her first appearance at the worlds in six years. She avoided falling and was able to stop but then grasped her arm in apparent pain. The gate pressed on her forearm, locked her elbow by her side and pushed the whole arm back with pressure on her shoulder. WATCH | Gray describes her wild day at worlds: Cassidy Gray describes her wild day at the office at the world alpine ski championships 27 minutes ago Duration 2:31 Cassidy Gray of Invermere, B.C., spoke with CBC Sports' Devin Heroux, following her 20th place finish in the women's super-G at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. Gray was forced to do a re-run, after her first run was halted because organizers needed to fix the course following a crash. Spectators in the area let out a collective gasp of astonishment and grew silent with concern. Vonn skied down to the finish and waved to the crowd. Live streaming coverage through the 13-day world alpine ski championship will be available on and CBC Gem. Vonn retired in 2019 after winning bronze in downhill in Are, Sweden, following several injuries, but returned to the circuit this season with a new titanium right knee. WATCH | American Vonn crashes into a gate: Lindsey Vonn crashes into a gate during the world championship super-G 3 minutes ago Duration 1:58 The race started in mostly sunny conditions, but more clouds came in after the first half hour. More parts of the course were in the shadow when Vonn started in 30th position. Venier was the 2013 junior world champion in super-G but a silver in downhill from the 2017 worlds was her only medal in a senior race before Thursday's triumph. "It sounds unreal. I slept so bad last night, I was so nervous," Venier told Austrian TV. "I was extremely nervous at the start, I didn't know how to handle, but it was probably a good omen." WATCH | Venier tells CBC Sports about her win in front of a home crowd: Austria's Stephanie Venier thrilled to win world championship super-G in front of a home crowd 14 minutes ago Duration 0:49 Stephanie Venier spoke with CBC Sports' Devin Heroux as it was being announced that she had officially won the women's super-G at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Venier has three career World Cup wins, including one in a super-G in Switzerland a year ago. Thursday's opening race at the worlds took place exactly one year before the 2026 opening ceremony for the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
