1978-1980

Procter & Gamble introduced this super absorbent tampon with the slogan “it even absorbs the worry.” Little did they know that their product would cause a whole lot more than just worry: death. Rely was made with the new highly absorbent material carboxymethylcellulose. This also happened to be a highly toxic material. Women were leaving tampons in for much longer periods of time, which could cause a deadly bacterial infection called Toxic Shock Syndrome. Rely tampons became associated with death and illness, and were discontinued.