A new study has found that tampons contain several metals, including arsenic and lead.
“Our results highlight the need for regulations requiring manufacturers to test for metals in tampons,” the study said.
The study, published by Environment International on July 3, analyzed 30 tampons from 14 tampon brands and found that they contained measurable concentrations of the following metals:
- Arsenic.
- Barium.
- Calcium.
- Cadmium.
- Cobalt.
- Chromium.
- Copper.
- Iron.
- Manganese.
- Mercury.
- Nickel.
- Lead.
- Selenium.
- Strontium.
- Vanadium.
- Zinc.
“Although toxic metals are ubiquitous and we are exposed to low levels at all times, our study clearly shows that metals are also present in menstrual products and that women may be at higher risk of exposure when using these products,” said Kathrin Schilling, co-author of the study.
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Exposure to metals in tampons poses a ‘significant potential risk of public concern’
According to a press release about the study, tampons “are of particular concern as a potential source of exposure to chemicals, including metals, because vaginal skin has a higher potential for chemical absorption than skin on other parts of the body.”
Between 50 and 80 percent of menstruating people use tampons, but the metals mentioned above “could be absorbed through the highly absorbent tissue of the vagina, leading to systemic exposure,” the study says.
“Despite this significant potential risk to public health, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons,” Jenni A. Shearston, lead author of the study, said in a statement. “To our knowledge, this is the first paper to measure metals in tampons. It is concerning that we found concentrations of every metal we tested, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead.”
Further research is needed to measure the presence of other chemicals in tampons and determine whether metals can affect a person’s health.
Metal exposure not different in organic tampon products, study finds
The study analyzed tampons from the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as organic and non-organic tampons, and found that regardless of where the tampons came from or how they were classified, neither contained low amounts of metals.
How did the metals get into the buffer?
According to the study, the metals could have ended up on the tampons in several ways.
- The cotton material could have absorbed it from its surroundings or nearby contaminants.
- The metals could have been added as a means of adding pigment, whitening, or an antibacterial agent.
“I really hope that manufacturers will be required to test their products for metals, especially toxic metals,” Shearston said. “It would be interesting to see the public demand for that or better labeling of tampons and other menstrual products.”
