Staff Perspectives: Helen Lynn on activism and her journey with Wen Wen’s Senior Consultant and Research fellow shares her passion for feminist activism and what keeps her optimistic.

This women's history month I've been reflecting on my journey and activism for the last 30 years - mostly with @wen-uk.bsky.social but also with #frompinktoprevention and #allianceforcancerprevention

www.wen.org.uk/2026/03/25/s...

🚨 A new ITV documentary has revealed the shocking levels of toxic forever chemicals in the blood of some residents in Bentham, North Yorkshire. 

The small market town became known in 2024 for having the highest recorded PFAS contamination levels in the UK.

Wen March News - Women’s History Month isn’t just March. What comes next? Dear friends As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we’ve been taking a moment to reflect on the women, stories and movements that have shaped Wen over nearly 40 years, and those continuing to sha...

Women’s History Month isn’t just March.

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we’ve been taking a moment to reflect on the women, stories & movements that have shaped Wen over nearly 40 years, & those continuing to shape what comes next. @wen-uk.bsky.social

www.linkedin.com/pulse/wen-ma...

Toxic pet flea treatment chemicals found in Wales' rivers harming wildlife Scientists have found further evidence that pet flea treatments are widespread in rivers across the UK.

Toxic flea treatment chemicals harming rivers wildlife in Wales. Call for vets to stop pushing this treatment onto pet owners. Also to highlight the need to stop the practice of leaving animal fur for birds, esp if contaminated with #pesticides. #fleatreatments
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Wen statement on government’s PFAS plan to tackle ‘Forever Chemicals’ Wen statement on government’s PFAS plan to tackle ‘Forever Chemicals’

The UK new #PFASPlan - a plan to make a plan. This is so disappointing, esp as the next steps to eliminating #PFAS from period products is just more discussion, when we urgently need action! Read @wen-uk.bsky.social take on the proposal

www.wen.org.uk/2026/02/03/w...

🔎 In our latest blog, CHEM Trust breaks down where the UK government’s new PFAS Action Plan falls short.
 
Crucial gaps in the government’s plan include failure to introduce new restrictions, no mention of the EU’s proposed #PFAS ban, no binding deadlines, and no clear strategy for remediation.

JOIN THE CALL FOR SAFE, REGULATED PERIOD PRODUCTS

Are you an #obstetrician, #gynecologist, or health care professional concerned about the amount of toxic chemicals & heavy metals found in #periodproducts? Making the connections between health & lack of regulation of period products? Join our call! www.wen.org.uk/sign-open-le...

Cover image of Corporate Europe Observatory's report: Chemical reaction: Inside the corporate fight against the EU’s PFAS restriction

It has been exactly one year since launch of #ForeverLobbying Project & our own Chemical Reaction report.

Together we exposed access, strategies, & misleading messaging of prominent parts of #PFAS industry against proposed ban.

➡️ corporateeurope.org/en/chemical-...
➡️ foreverpollution.eu/lobbying/

Forever-chemical firms continue forever EU lobbying The PFAS corporate lobby should have been chastened by the revelations of the devastating impacts of forever chemicals – this has not happened.

And just to add, there is now a new @euobserver.com op ed on this topic newly published: euobserver.com/health-and-s...

What is #lobbying — and why should you care?
This new video series breaks down how power, influence, and politics really work behind the scenes.

Watch the first episode with @marcellablues.bsky.social and follow along as we unpack lobbying and its impact on everyday life.

COP30: A TURNING POINT FOR CLIMATE AND GENDER JUSTICE? As COP30 kicks off in Belém, Brazil, the need for bold, intersectional feminist climate action has never been more urgent.

🌍 #COP30: A turning point for climate & gender justice?
Women, particularly racialised & marginalised women are on the frontlines of climate & environmental injustice.Yet their leadership, knowledge & solutions are often overlooked in decision-making spaces like COP.
www.wen.org.uk/2025/11/10/c...

78,000 VOICES FOR TOXIC-FREE PERIODS DELIVERED TO DOWNING STREET On Wednesday 5 November, Wen delivered the #ToxicFreePeriods petition to 10 Downing Street and to DEFRA, representing more than 78,000 voices calling for safer, non-toxic period products.

Yesterday, 5th Nov, we delivered 78,000 voices to Downing Street!

Our #ToxicFreePeriods petition calls for regulation to make period products safe and free from toxic chemicals.

Thank you to everyone who stood with us 💪
www.wen.org.uk/2025/11/06/t...

#ToxicFreePeriodsPetition#PeriodEquity

Toxic chemicals shouldn’t be in our period products. Until we have regulation and transparency, here’s how to protect yourself and make the switch: www.wen.org.uk/2008/... #ToxicFreePeriods #EnvironmenstrualWeek

What a day in Parliament. Wen took our call for toxic free period products to the House of Lords and Defra, handing in our petition with 76,000 signatures. Real momentum for change – let’s make every period product safe. Read more & sign: www.wen.org.uk/2025/...
#ToxicFreePeriods

Together, we’re building a future where everyone can choose safe, sustainable period products - free from toxic chemicals.
#ToxicFreePeriods #EnvironmenstrualWeek

🗣️ Powerful discussions, media coverage, and thousands joining the call to end toxic chemicals in period care for good.
We’ve reached a tipping point - and this is just the beginning.

What a week! #EnvironmenstrualWeek 2025 has been one to remember.
From powerful conversations in Parliament to 75,000+ voices calling for #ToxicFreePeriods, this week has shown what happens when we come together for menstrual health, dignity and sustainability.
Some Highlights...

Downing street front door with the petition box which says: 70k plus people want safe period products now! - we're taking your oices to Downing Street this Wednesday 5th November.

Tomorrow, 5th Nov, we’re taking your voices to Downing Street.
78,000 people have joined the call for #ToxicFreePeriods - demanding regulation to make sure period products are free from toxic chemicals. Add your name before the hand-in 👉 action.eko.org/a/toxic-peri...

#ToxicFreePeriodsPetition

1/6 Wen has been leading the fight for safe, sustainable, and toxic-free period products for 35 years.

Today, we’re in Parliament. Our event at the House of Lords, with Baroness Natalie Bennett, asks the question: Have we reached the tipping point for toxic period products?
With our expert panel we’ll explore the evidence and call for urgent regulation to make all period products safe.

Panelists include Susie Hewson MBE (Founder, Natracare), Dr Karen Joash (Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology), Kathrin Schilling (Assistant Professor), and Josie Cohen (Pesticide Action Network UK), chaired by Helen Lynn from Wen - #EnvironmenstrualWeek #ToxicFreePeriods

This week I will be hosting a meeting with the Women’s Environmental Network to push for regulation of period products.

Because no one should be exposed to toxic chemicals every month just for having a period.

#PeriodJustice #SafeProducts | @wen-uk.bsky.social

Toxic Free Periods Petition Join 30,000+ people who have signed the #ToxicFreePeriodsPetition to get toxic chemicals out of period products.

With over 75,000 signatures, we’ve shown that the public demands change.
Now it’s over to the government to act.
Find out more and add your voice:

Today, we delivered the #ToxicFreePeriodsPetition to DEFRA, urging the UK government to regulate toxic chemicals in period products.
It’s time for stronger regulation and a commitment to protect the health of women, girls and everyone who menstruates.

Outside DEFRA

What a day! Today we took our call for #ToxicFreePeriods to Parliament.

Starting with our House of Lords event with @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social, experts, campaigners & producers - we then went to DEFRA - with our call to make all period products safe. #ToxicTippingPoint #EnvironmenstrualWeek

We’re at a toxic tipping point: the UK must regulate period products now This post is by Helen Lynn, senior consultant and health advisor, Wen (Women’s Environmental Network)

Tampons are less regulated than candles.

Despite pesticides found at 40x safe drinking water limits and cross-party support for change, period products remain underregulated as health products.

@wildcardenviro.bsky.social from
@wen-uk.bsky.social on why the UK must act now.

We’re at a toxic tipping point: the UK must regulate period products now This post is by Helen Lynn, senior consultant and health advisor, Wen (Women’s Environmental Network).

Independent studies stretching back over 20 yrs have detected toxic chemicals and heavy metals in period products used by millions monthly. What will it take to secure proper regulation?

@wildcardenviro.bsky.social from
@wen-uk.bsky.social on the public health issue for #EnviromenstrualWeek:

WEN'S STATEMENT ON THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON UK TALC CASE Statement in response to UK case accusing Johnson & Johnson of knowingly selling talcum powder contaminated with asbestos.

Thousands in the UK are accusing Johnson & Johnson of selling asbestos-contaminated baby powder.

We urgently need stronger regulation of personal care products & full ingredient transparency.

Read our statement: 👉www.wen.org.uk/2025/10/16/johnson-johns...
#Talc #ToxicFree

Environmenstrual Week 2025. Text overlaid over a red blood drop with a person's arm - making a fist gesture.

It’s the start of #EnvironmenstrualWeek! 🩸 We’ve reached the #ToxicTippingPoint. Join us to demand #toxicfreeperiods products for everyone who menstruates. Join 72k people in signing the petition: wen.org.uk/toxicfreeper...

As a citizen, you can add your voice to the call urging European leaders to commit to a toxic free Europe and make taking action against toxic chemicals in our nature, air, water and bodies an urgent priority

📝 action.wemove.eu/sign/2024-01...

@wemoveeurope.bsky.social #ToxicFreeFuture