Study finds toxic metals present in popular tampons
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A new study found 14 brands of tampons contained metals, such as lead and arsenic. Photo: Annette Riedl/dpa
A new study found popular brands of tampons may contain toxic metals, such as lead and arsenic.
Why it matters: Chemicals absorbed vaginally enter directly into the body, without detoxification, the study noted. Despite more than half of those who menstruate in the U.S. using tampons, the researchers said theirs was the first endeavor to assess the concentration of metals in tampons.
- Those who menstruate may use more than 7,400 tampons in their lifetime, the researchers stated.
Details: A team of scientists from U.C. Berkeley, Columbia University and Michigan State University evaluated 30 tampons — from 14 different brands and 18 product lines — to measure the presence of 16 metals. All 16 were found in measurable traces, and toxic metals, like lead, were detectable in all of the samples.
- The team picked from products listed as "top sellers" from an online retailer and store-brand versions from New York City; Athens, Greece and London.
- Metals were detected in both organic and non-organic tampons, with lead concentrations being higher in non-organic products and arsenic higher in organic ones, which researchers said could be attributable to natural fertilizers used to grow cotton for organic products.
Zoom out: The Food and Drug Administration regulates tampons as medical devices.
- The study noted that while the FDA recommends the devices not contain two dioxin compounds or pesticide residues, "There is no requirement to test tampons for chemical contaminants."
- "I really hope that manufacturers are required to test their products for metals, especially for toxic metals," lead author Jenni Shearston said in a statement. "It would be exciting to see the public call for this, or to ask for better labeling on tampons and other menstrual products."
Reality check: Several of the metals studied appear commonly in nature and come into contact with humans every day — including inorganic arsenic, which can be found in the rice we eat.
Yes, but researchers noted the difference between metals present in other textiles touching human skin versus those metals entering the vagina, saying metals in tampons could result "in higher exposure risk even from low concentrations."
The big picture: Researchers noted that more studies are needed to replicate their results to help further understanding as to whether metals can "leach out" of tampons and cause harm.
- "Our findings point towards the need for regulations requiring the testing of metals in tampons by manufacturers," the study concluded. "This is especially important considering that we found measurable quantities of several toxic metals, including Pb, which has no known 'safe' exposure level."
- But a U.C. Berkeley press release noted it is still "unclear if the metals detected by this study are contributing to any negative health effects."
Go deeper: The quest for a better tampon comes as women's sports surge
Editor's note: This article has been corrected to reflect that chemicals are absorbed vaginally, not metals.
