Instead of the normally used super absorbent polymer (SAP), an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Hyderabad research team has developed sanitary napkins using electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibers. SAP has been replaced with these nanofibres, as a material for absorbent core in the feminine sanitary napkins, without compromising performance.

“Nanofibers based feminine hygiene products, without SAP, offers a safe alternative to female hygiene, as prolonged use of commercially available products, may even lead to toxic shock syndrome and ovarian cancer," professor Chandra Shekhar Sharma, who lead the research team was quoted as saying in media reports.

According to the professor, the use of nanofibres, eliminates the use of harmful and non-biodegradable SAP in commercially available sanitary napkins, without compromising performance. (AR)