Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2023) 12(10): 32-37 32 Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2023.1210.004 Profiling of Sanitary Napkin Materials for Effective Menstrual Waste Management Mamata Tendulkar *, Sushama Ambadekar and K. J. Somaiya College of Arts and commerce (Autonomous), The Institute of Science, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Introduction Menstruation is a natural biological process that women go through that signals their reproductive health and fertility. However, inadequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices pose significant challenges, particularly in developing countries, hindering progress toward sustainable development goals (Sommer et al., 2015). One critical aspect of MHM is the selection and disposal of menstrual products, particularly sanitary napkins, which are widely used for convenience and accessibility (Lara Freidenfelds and Sharra Vostral, 2011). The proper management of menstrual waste, encompassing used sanitary products and associated materials, remains a significant challenge globally (Sommer et al., 2013). Menstrual waste contains various components that merit careful evaluation. Disposable sanitary napkins, for instance, typically comprise an absorbent core, top-sheet, back-sheet, adhesives, International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 12 Number 10 (2023) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Menstruation plays a crucial role in health and reproductive cycles of females. However, Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) poses significant challenges to many developing emerged in women's menstrual health and the environmental factors that influence it. This report represents the profiling of materials used during manufacturing of sanitary napkins to optimized practices required to manage and dispose menstrual waste effectively. Methodology: Various sanitary napkin brands were chosen based on popularity, affordability, and biodegradability. The selected brands were tested in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) guidelines, using optimized procedures recommended by the textile committee. Around twenty-eight (n=28) napkins were tested for the same. Result: - The materials used for the top sheet, core absorbent material, and bottom sheet of each napkin were examined. Out of the 27 napkins tested, 12 napkins (35.71%) had natural fibre top sheets, 26 napkins (92.85%) had natural fiber absorbent materials, and all 27 napkins (100%) had synthetic bottoms. Conclusion: The majority of commonly used sanitary napkins are made of synthetic materials, and their absorbent gel components are not biodegradable. It is essential to explore alternative solutions for effectively managing this waste and promoting sustainable menstrual hygiene practices. Keywords Menstrual Hygiene Products (MHP), Textile Analysis, Period Pads, Menstrual Waste Management, Hygiene Received: 25 August 2023 Accepted: 20 September 2023 Available Online: 10 October 2023 Article Info