More than a dozen metals, including lead and arsenic, have been found in a wide range of tampons sold in the United States and Europe, raising concerns about the menstrual products used by millions of people, according to a recent study.
Tests found lead in 30 tampons from 14 brands purchased from major online retailers and stores in the United States, the United Kingdom and Greece, according to results published this week in the journal Environmental International.
“Our results highlight the need for regulations requiring manufacturers to test for metals in tampons,” the researchers write.
The analysis focused on concentrations of arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium and zinc. All 16 metals were detected in only one product.
More studies are needed to determine whether metals are leaching from tampons, which would be particularly worrisome since vaginal skin is more permeable than other parts of the body, noted the researchers, led by Jenni Shearston, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health. Any substances that enter the bloodstream through the vagina also would not be filtered by the liver, the researchers added.
The results do not mention the brands tested. Shearston said it was unable to provide a list of the brands tested.
Organic tampons contain less lead and more arsenic than non-organic tampons, and those sold in the United States contain higher lead concentrations than those sold in Europe, the study found.
Popular tampon brands include Procter & Gamble’s Tampax, Kimberly-Clark’s Kotex and Edgewell Personal Care’s Playtex. All three companies did not respond to requests for comment.
Tampons are made from cotton, rayon, or both, and the study noted that the metals could come from the soil and plants used to make the materials. The presence of metals could also be the result of chemicals used as antimicrobials or to control odors.
“We can’t yet say that people shouldn’t use tampons. So far, we know that metals are present in all of the samples we’ve tested. However, we don’t yet know whether the metals are leaching out of the tampon and being absorbed into the body. So we can’t yet assess the extent to which (if any) the metals in tampons are contributing to health problems,” Shearston told CBS MoneyWatch. “Our research underscores the need for more testing for toxic compounds in the products we use every day and for better labeling so users can make more informed decisions.”
The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates tampons in the United States, told CBS MoneyWatch it is reviewing the findings, but noted that all of the studies have limitations.
“While the chemical method used indicates that these metals are present in the tampons tested in the laboratory, the study does not assess whether metals are released from tampons when they are used in the body. Nor does it address whether a metal, if released, can be absorbed through the vaginal mucosa or subsequently into the bloodstream,” an agency spokesperson said. “We plan to evaluate the study closely and take any necessary steps to protect the health of consumers who use these products.”
