Winter 1999 

Kevin McNamee, D.C., L.Ac., founder California Health Institute    

Toxic Shock Syndrome is Still With Us

Toxic Shock Syndrome is a rare bacterial infection caused by streptococci. More than 50 women died from the syndrome between 1979 and 1980, when the link between tampons and Toxic Shock was first established.  A 1994 study showed that 99% of the menstruating women who developed Toxic Shock were tampon users. 

Tampons and other related products often contain additives, synthetic fibers and dioxin.  Dioxin is a toxic by-product of the paper manufacturing process.  Wood pulp, as well as the rayon used in nearly all tampons, undergoes several production processes; a common method is chlorine bleaching, which results in the formation of dioxin and other contaminants.  This causes trace amounts of dioxin to be present in most paper products -- from toilet paper to tampons.

A 1996 Environmental Protection Agency study linked dioxin exposure with an increased risk of endometriosis, an often painful menstrual-related condition and a leading cause of infertility. 

The EPA has concluded that women who have been exposed to dioxin over time may be at risk for other problems such as suppressed immunity, increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, and decreased fertility.  Dioxin exposure may also interfere with normal fetal and childhood development.

Dioxin is stored in the fatty tissue.  Since most women have more body fat than men, they store more dioxin from all sources not just tampons.  According to Dr. Philip Tierno, Jr., Director of Microbiology and Immunology at New York University Medical Center, these toxic residues in tampons comes in direct contact with some of the most absorbent tissue in a woman's body.  Almost anything placed on this tissue -- including dioxin -- is readily absorbed into the body.

Suppression of the body's immune system increases the risk for streptococcal infection.  The most common clinical symptom is severe pain that begins abruptly.  The pain, usually present in an extremity, may also mimic peritonitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, pneumonia, acute myocardial infarction or pericarditis.  Twenty percent of patients have an influenza-like syndrome characterized by fever, chills, myalgia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  Fever is the most common early sign, although hypothermia may be present in patients with shock.  Confusion is present in 55% of patients and in some, coma or combativeness is present. 

Complications associated with streptococcal soft-tissue infection include shock (95%); acute respiratory distress syndrome (55%), renal impairment (80%), bacteremia (60%) and death (30%).

Tampon manufacturers are not required to disclose ingredients to consumers either; however, many have voluntarily disclosed this information.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney from New York became involved in this issue after being told that the manufacturers' dioxin monitoring reports were proprietary information of the FDA.  Whether or not the manufactures are accurately testing and honestly reporting dioxin levels is in question.  Also, the level of dioxin exposure considered safe for humans is unknown.

Independent testing by the National Institutes of Health is addressed by H.R. 2900 Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1997 which was introduced into Congress by Carolyn Maloney on November 11, 1997.  This bill remains in the House -- unpassed.

Another Reason to Breast-Feed          

An 18-year study in New Zealand showed an association between breast feeding and childhood academic achievement.  The subjects were divided into the number of months each child was breast-fed (less than 4 months; 4 to 7 months; greater than 8 months).  The researchers found a proportional increase in the number of months of breast-feeding and IQ, performances on standardized tests, higher teacher ratings of classroom performance, and better high school achievement.   Christchurch Health and Development Study, Christchurch School of Medicine, New Zealand, 1997.  

Making Informed Choices about Vaccinations

The effects of some vaccines on the autoimmune system can be far greater than the adverse effects of the infectious disease itself.  For example, live oral polio vaccines have been shown to induce polio at a rate of 0.2 cases per 100,000.  This has caused some countries, including the U.S. to immunize with a killed polio vaccine instead of the live vaccine. 

In the case of the hemophilus influenza vaccine, immunization may only prevent 30 to 36 cases of meningitis per 100,000 while it may cause a rise in the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes in children (i.e., 200 cases per 100,000).  On one hand, the vaccine is helping a small number of potential meningitis cases, but on the other, is contributing to a chronic disease for which there is currently no cure.  In this case, the benefit does not outweigh the risk.

The Ministry of Health in France recently announced the suspension of routine hepatitis B immunizations of school age children in France.  Routine Hepatitis B immunizations given at birth would continue.  The reason for this decision was the increased risk of autoimmune diseases associated with the vaccine when it is given to school age children as compared to newborns.

Immunologist John B. Classen, M.D. originally published papers linking the hepatitis B and other vaccines to the development of insulin dependent diabetes, an autoimmune disease.  At that time certain public health officials attempted to deny an association between auto-immunity and immunization; however, two recently published U.S. government studies have supported the association.  One study linked hepatitis B immunization to an autoimmune form of hair loss.  Another small study showed that when hepatitis B immunization was given at two months and older, it was associated with a near doubling of the risk of diabetes.

"The French decision to continue hepatitis B immunization at birth while discontinuing immunization starting at school age suggests the French Ministry of Health may believe that timing of immunization has a role on the development of auto-immunity.  They appear to be accepting our findings." Dr. Classen is referring to his numerous publications indicating immunizations given at birth are associated with lower risks of auto-immunity than immunization given later in life.

Long-term safety studies are typically not performed on vaccines prior to them attaining government approval.  "Without these studies we can not be sure that the benefits of immunization exceed the risks of and thus we should not mandate the hepatitis B or other vaccines," adds Classen.