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Recently, researchers have devised an eco-friendly process to manufacture a highly absorbent material using Sisal plant leaves, to transform the production of menstrual hygiene products.

Harnessing Sisal Plants Leaves in Menstrual Products

• Researchers developed a Sisal plant leaf delignification process inspired by termite guts and wood-rot fungi.

• • The termite gastrointestinal tract contains an astonishing consortium of organisms.
• Peroxyformic acid has been used in this process to remove lignin while selectively preserving the structure of cellulose microfibers.
• The approach minimizes environmental damage compared to traditional methods. Decomposed by-products from this process pose minimal harm.

About Sisal Plant Leaves

• Sisal Plant Characteristics

  • The Sisal Plant is a succulent plant well-known for thriving in arid regions and belonging to the Agave species.

• • Features include a robust 90 cm (3 feet) tall stalk with thorns and an unpleasant odor.
  • Forms dense clusters at branch ends, with buds growing in the upper angle between the stem and flower stalk.
  • Indigenous to Central America, cultivated in various countries including Kenya, Mozambique, Brazil, and the Philippines.

• Sisal Plant Leaves and Its Lifecycle and Utility

  • Lifespan: 7-10 years, producing 200-250 usable leaves.
  • Water-retaining properties and sustainable cultivation make it suitable for absorbent materials.

• Historical Significance of Sisal Plant

  • Ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations pioneered using sisal leaves for diverse purposes.
  • Applications ranged from paper production to the distillation of alcoholic beverages.

• Application of Sisal Plant Leaves

• • Each leaf boasts approximately a thousand fibers, offering sustainable options for rope, paper, and cloth manufacturing.

What is the Situation with Access to Menstrual Hygiene Across Countries?

• In 2022, Ashoka University’s Centre for Economic Data and Analysis documented a substantial increase in the adoption of sanitary practices among individuals.
  • However, there is  Limited access to menstrual hygiene products for approximately 500 million people worldwide.

• • In rural India, only 42% of adolescent women exclusively use hygienic methods for menstrual management.

Continue To Read: Menstrual Hygiene In India

What Steps Have Been Taken to Make Sanitary Napkins More Sustainable?

• Growing environmental issues about menstrual sanitation waste have prompted scientists to explore more sustainable options for sanitary napkins.

• Various institutions have used plant fibers, such as banana plants to reduce synthetic superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) in napkins.
• In addition to it, Sisal, a succulent plant with water-storing capabilities, has also been proposed as an alternative for environmentally sustainable sanitary napkins.
• The absorbent capability of sisal’s fluff pulp is high compared to cotton sourced from commercially produced sanitary napkins.

Also Refer: Draft Menstrual Hygiene Policy For Social Justice In India

What are the Health Risks Associated with Sanitary Napkins?

• Dioxin Content: Single-use sanitary napkins contain dioxin, a persistent environmental pollutant.
  • Dioxin is classified as a “known human carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
• Health Hazards: Exposure to dioxin in sanitary napkins poses potential health risks, including increased cancer risk.
• Environmental Impact: Improper disposal of sanitary napkins contributes to environmental pollution due to the non-biodegradable waste they generate.

Conclusion

Incorporating sisal plants in menstrual hygiene items signifies notable progress in tackling period poverty and environmental sustainability. However, there is a need for its successful implementation. 

News Source: The Hindu