The first flushable, biodegradable pregnancy test has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to Lia Diagnostics, the developers of the test, the device provides women with an accurate and discreet way to determine whether or not they’re pregnant.
The Lia Pregnancy Test contains a proprietary coating, along with nonwoven and paper components, which allows it to be free of plastics. The device itself is lighter than a handful of squares of three-ply toilet paper, allowing it to be flushed safely.
Bethany Edwards, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Lia Diagnostics explains that the at-home pregnancy test was introduced in 1987, the same year other such personal devices – including the cell phone and the Apple PC – were launched.
“It has been 30 years since 1987, and these revolutionary innovations have all advanced significantly – except for one: the at-home pregnancy test,” said Edwards. “It is the same, stiff, plastic relic highlighted in movies for its lack of privacy – someone sees the positive result in the trash, and breaks the news before you can!
“Worse yet, they are bulky, expensive, and add two million pounds of plastic and digital waste to US landfills every year. At Lia, we have modernized the pregnancy test, ditching wasteful plastic and unnecessary electronics for a streamlined alternative that is both good for the environment and more discreet for its users.”
Like most other home pregnancy tests, Lia is over 99 percent accurate at detecting pregnancy when the test is taken on the day of the woman’s expected period. The Lia Pregnancy Test was unveiled at TechCrunch Disrupt Berlin’s Startup Battlefield, and won first place.
“Pregnancy tests account for enough plastic waste to travel from Philadelphia to the Space Station and back seven times,” said Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Anna Couturier Simpson. “Lia is the only discreet pregnancy test made with zero glass fibers, batteries, plastic or nitrocellulose – elements found in nearly all single-use diagnostics available on the market today. Lia provides the only sustainable solution to-date.”
According to MedCity News, the test will be on the market starting in the middle of 2018. The price of the pregnancy test kit has yet to be announced, however Shannon Leaf, COO of Lia Diagnostics says it will be on par with comparable tests.
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