1981
the sea sponge becomes an outlaw
The sea sponge, a porous-bodied animal that grows on the ocean floor, has been harvested for centuries for use as a natural tampon. When inserted, the sponge absorbs blood and discharge, and then it can then be removed, cleaned and reused over and over.
In 1981 the FDA banned the commercial sale of menstrual sea sponges after it was found that a sponge (which is basically the dried carcass of the dead animal) can contain bacteria, fungi and sand from its, er, days among the living.
Today, sea sponges are still sold for cosmetics and cleaning purposes only.
