A move aimed at giving <g data-gr-id="49">boost</g> to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet project 'Beti Bachao, Beti <g data-gr-id="32">Padhao</g>', the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed biodegradable sanitary napkins.
The skin-friendly, medicated and scented pads have been made of bio-actives extracted from plants. The bio-actives will prevent bacterial and fungal infection.
The low-cost pads have been developed by Dr Dinesh Singh, a scientist at CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (CSIR-<g data-gr-id="27">CIMAP</g>), Lucknow.
“It is a low-cost product is especially targeted towards women from the lower income group, who still use unhygienic and cheap alternatives – a major concern for the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) and state governments. The patent on this invention has been filed in India,” Singh told Millennium Post over <g data-gr-id="43">phone</g>.
Singh added: “Like other napkins in the market, this too has a shelf life. The product is best before 24 months from the date of manufacturing,” adding that an eight-member team of scientists from CSIR-<g data-gr-id="37">CIMAP</g> had started the project in 2009, which was finally commissioned this year.
"The plant extracts used in this product provide comfort, heal skin infection and minimise irritation,” said Singh, who lead the team of scientists.
“The antibacterial nature of this medicated sanitary pad prevents subsequent infection and UTI (urinary <g data-gr-id="34">track</g> infection)-related diseases. Furthermore, unlike other such products in the market, this product is biodegradable and thus prevents <g data-gr-id="29">non-degradable</g> waste generation,” said Anil Kumar Tripathi, director of CSIR – <g data-gr-id="35">CIMAP</g>.
At present, less than 20 <g data-gr-id="38">per cent</g> women/girls use sanitary napkins in the country. The overall sanitary napkin market is growing by about 24 <g data-gr-id="40">per cent</g> every year. Due to increasing awareness in rural and town areas, a huge market for sanitary pads is foreseen in the country.
“The know-how for manufacturing this low-cost, biodegradable sanitary pad is available for licensing to micro, small and medium enterprises and industries for mass production and distribution,” Tripathi added.