ƕƯǀƻƯƼƳǂƯƺ , J Textile Sci Eng ƗƢƜ :
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Journal of Textile Science & Engineering
ISSN: 2165-8064
Research Article Research Article
Open Access OMICS International
Natural and Sustainable Raw Materials for Sanitary Napkin Barman A*, Katkar PM and Asagekar SD 'HSDUWPHQWRI7H[WLOH'.7(6RFLHW\¶V7H[WLOHDQG(QJLQHHULQJ,QVWLWXWH,FKDONDUDQML0DKDUDVKWUD,QGLD
Abstract The present paper highlights the issue of non-biodegradability of personal hygiene product and how it has become a serious environmental concern all over the world. Emphasis is given to use naturally available absorbent ¿EUHV VXFK DV RUJDQLF FRWWRQ EDQDQD ¿EUH MXWH EDPERR HWF ZKLFK DUH ZLGHO\ DYDLODEOH DQG ELRGHJUDGDEOH LQ nature having low carbon footprint which not only makes it eco-friendly but also reduces the cost of sanitary pad. $QGWRHQKDQFHWKHUHWHQWLRQRIÀXLGFHOOXORVHEDVHGK\GURJHOFDQEHXVHGLQVWHDGRIV\QWKHWLFVXSHUDEVRUEHQW polymer. Sustainability of hygiene product can be attained by replacing petroleum based raw material with an eco- friendly one.
Keywords: Biopolymer; Biodegradability; Natural fibre; Sustainable material Introduction Currently, the world is facing a very big problem of carbon footprint of feminine hygiene product. As there is a huge amount of non-biodegradable material dumped in landfill, which releases harmful gasses into to the atmosphere. India being a developing country, with a population of 1.34 billion, out of which 323.6 million female between the age group of 15-49 [1]. If we consider that 10% of Indian women uses disposable sanitary pad then each individual will generate at least half a kilo of waste a month. In that way, 10% of the female population in India will generate 16180 tons of waste every month. In order to deal with it, we need to focus on developing a more sustainable product by choosing the raw material having low carbon footprint. Material which are used in feminine hygiene product are derived from natural resource mostly petroleum based which cannot be reused or compost and at the same time over-exploitation of these resources have to be stopped otherwise nothing will be left for our future generation. We have to find an alternative raw material that is sustainable in nature, without compromising on the functional requirement of the product [2]. Conventional structure and material used in sanitary napkin In order to classify the raw material for sanitary pad, first we have to understand the basic mechanism how a sanitary pad works, what are their requirements and accordingly we have to select the same. Sanitary pad comprises of multilayered structure in which each layer have specific function to perform. It consists of three main layers the top sheet, absorbent core and barrier sheet (Figure 1). a) Top sheet : It is designed to transfer fluid quickly from the top sheet to secondary layers. The top sheet contains thermoplastic fibers to prevent capillary collapse of this layer, and small amount of hydrophilic absorbent fibre to allow fluid to absorb. Commercially available top
*Corresponding author: %DUPDQ $ 5HVHDUFK 6FKRODU 'HSDUWPHQW RI 7H[WLOH '.7( 6RFLHW\¶V 7H[WLOH DQG (QJLQHHULQJ ,QVWLWXWH ,FKDONDUDQML 0DKDUDVKWUD,QGLD 7HO (PDLO DQXUDGKDEDUPDQ#JPDLOFRP Received -XQH Accepted -XO\ Published -XO\ Citation: %DUPDQ$.DWNDU30$VDJHNDU6' 1DWXUDODQG6XVWDLQDEOH 5DZ0DWHULDOVIRU6DQLWDU\1DSNLQ-7H[WLOH6FL(QJ GRL Copyright: %DUPDQ$HWDO . This is an open-access article distributed under WKHWHUPVRIWKH&UHDWLYH&RPPRQV$WWULEXWLRQ/LFHQVHZKLFKSHUPLWVXQUHVWULFWHG XVHGLVWULEXWLRQDQGUHSURGXFWLRQLQDQ\PHGLXPSURYLGHGWKHRULJLQDODXWKRUDQG source are credited. Raw material for top sheet: Organic cotton as top sheet is one the commonly advised raw material for sanitary napkin because of its non-irritant, skin friendly and superior liquid retention properties. It is soft and breathable which gives comfort and dryness. Cotton wicks away moisture and keeps skin dry and its pH compatibility makes it skin friendly [7,8]. Organic cotton are cultivated from non-treated Genetically Modified (GMO) seed and is grown using method and materials having low impact on environment that is without any use of synthetic agricultural chemical such as fertilizer and pesticides. The crop needs to be certified by a certifying body or the USDA. As cotton fibre comes directly from nature, it degrade when disposed [9]. sheet are made up of polypropylene fibre [3]. b) Absorbent core : It is interposed between top sheet and barrier layer main function is to absorb and retain the fluid. Moreover, to have comfort, absorbent core need to be thin, soft and pliable. The core was made up of wood pulp traditionally but there is constant effort to replace it by air laid wood pulp and SAP to improve its absorption efficiency. SAP turns the absorbed liquid into a jelly-like state so that it would not retract back [4,5]. c) Barrier sheet: It seals the fluid from staining or leakages. It is a breathable but fluid impermeable film made up of polyethylene [6]. Few components of sanitary pad will disintegrate and be attacked by the bacteria in a public or private sewage disposal system but polyethylene or polymeric films used as a barrier sheet remain intact as this polymer are inert and are not broken down by bacteria and thus pollutes the environment. Alternative sustainable raw material to disposable hygiene product The following raw materials can be used to replace existing material used in sanitary pads.
Acquisition Layer Perforated Film (Polypropylene)
Absorbent core
Barrier Sheet
(SAP+ Wood Pulp) (Polyethylene) Figure 1: Conventional structure and material used in sanitary napkin.
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