Recent research has raised serious safety concerns regarding the presence of harmful metals in tampons.
According to a new study, multiple tampon brands on the market were found to contain potentially dangerous toxins, including lead and arsenic. This discovery has sparked discussions about the safety of these widely-used menstrual products and their potential long-term health effects.
In the study, scientists tested 30 different tampons from 14 popular brands sold in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe. They searched for a variety of metals, including arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, and nickel, among others.
Surprisingly, the researchers found that every tampon tested contained at least some level of toxins. The findings were published in the journal Environment International.
“I was surprised we found metals, including the toxic metal lead, in all the tampons we tested,” says the first study author Jenni Shearston, PhD, MPH, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of California in Berkeley.
Organic Tampons Not Immune
One important aspect of the study was the inclusion of organic tampons, which are often marketed as safer alternatives to conventional products. However, the results showed that even organic tampons did not fully eliminate exposure to toxic metals. While the levels of lead in organic tampons were generally lower than in non-organic ones, the researchers noted that arsenic levels were higher in some organic brands.
Although the study did not investigate how these metals ended up in tampons, it speculated that the cotton used to manufacture the products might have absorbed the contaminants from the environment, such as soil, air, or water. Another possibility is that the metals were introduced during the manufacturing process through the use of pigments, whiteners, or antibacterial agents.
Health Risks of Metals in Tampons
The discovery of toxic metals in tampons is concerning because these substances have been linked to a range of serious health risks.
According to the study, exposure to metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury has been associated with issues such as dementia, infertility, diabetes, and cancer. There are also concerns about their impact on pregnancy, fetal development, and the endocrine system, which regulates hormones.
Lead is particularly alarming, as there is no known safe level of exposure. Even small amounts of lead can cause significant health problems, especially when exposure occurs over a long period. Despite these findings, the study leaves an important question unanswered: Are these metals actually leaching out of the tampons and being absorbed by the body?
“We therefore cannot yet assess to what extent, if any, metals in tampons contribute to any health problems,” Dr. Shearston says. “We cannot yet say that people should not be using tampons.”
FDA and Industry Response
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates tampons as medical devices, is currently reviewing the study. They have raised similar questions about the findings and the methods used in the research.
“While the chemical method used indicates these metals are present in the tampons tested in the laboratory, the study does not assess whether any metals are released from tampons when used in the body,” says Amanda Hils, the FDA spokesperson.
“It also does not address whether any metal, if released, can be absorbed into the vaginal lining or, subsequently, into the bloodstream. We plan to evaluate the study closely, and take any action warranted to safeguard the health of consumers who use these products,” Hils added.
The study did not name specific brands of tampons, but the makers of popular products like Tampax, Kotex and Playtex did not respond to requests for comment.
How to Choose Safer Menstrual Products
Given the uncertainties surrounding the safety of tampons, many consumers may be wondering whether they should continue using them or switch to alternative menstrual products.
Unfortunately, the study’s findings make it difficult for individuals to make informed decisions. There’s currently no clear information about whether other menstrual products, like pads or period underwear, contain similar toxins.
“I believe that a prudent FDA would require product testing and ongoing surveillance for tampons for not only toxic metals but other potentially harmful substances,” says Shruthi Mahalingaiah, MD, an assistant professor of environmental, reproductive, and women’s health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who wasn’t involved in the study.
Dr. Mahalingaiah added, “It is possible that tampons may be recalled — no one wants arsenic, mercury, or lead exposure to their reproductive organs.”
Other types of menstrual products, such as period underwear, have also come under scrutiny for containing potentially harmful chemicals. Previous research has found markers for PFAS – chemicals that are known to disrupt the endocrine and reproductive systems – in these products.
“There may be exposures in different menstrual products — so until we have improved exposure assessment and absorption studies for menstrual products, I won’t be able to answer the question of what is the safest option,” Mahalingaiah says.
Menstrual Cups as an Alternative
One option for those concerned about toxic exposure from tampons is to switch to menstrual cups. These bell-shaped devices are inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood. Unlike tampons, menstrual cups haven’t been linked to toxic metals or harmful chemicals.
Menstrual cups are reusable and can be emptied, cleaned and reinserted, making them a potentially safer and more sustainable choice for menstrual care. For those comfortable with using them, menstrual cups could be an alternative to reduce the risk of exposure to toxic substances.
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