A new one The study found that tampons Many metals are present, including arsenic and lead.
“Our findings point to the need for regulations requiring manufacturers to test for metals in tampons,” the study says.
The study, published July 3 by Environment International, analyzed 30 tampons from 14 tampon brands and found they contained measurable concentrations of the following metals:
- Arsenic.
- Barium.
- Calcium.
- Cadmium.
- Cobalt.
- Chromium.
- Copper.
- Iron.
- Manganese.
- Mercury.
- Nickel.
- Lead the way.
- Selenium.
- Strontium.
- Vanadium.
- Zinc.
“Although toxic metals are ubiquitous and we are exposed at low levels at any given time, our study clearly shows that metals are also present in menstrual products and that women are at greater risk of exposure by using these products,” said the study’s co-author. Kathryn Schilling.
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Metal exposure in tampons ‘major potential for public concern’
According to a news release about the study, tampons are “of particular concern as a potential source of exposure to chemicals, including metals, because vaginal skin has a greater potential for chemical absorption than skin elsewhere on the body.”
Fifty percent to 80 percent of women use tampons during menstruation, but the metals listed above “are absorbed by the highly absorbent tissues of the vagina, leading to systemic exposure,” the study says.
“Despite this huge potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure the chemicals in tampons.” Jenny A. Sherston, lead author of the study, said in a statement. “To our knowledge, this is the first paper to quantify metals in tampons. In this regard, we found concentrations of all metals we tested, including toxic metals such as arsenic and lead.
More research is needed to measure the presence of other chemicals in tampons and determine whether metals can affect a person’s health.
Metal exposure is no different in organic tampon products, study finds
The study examined tampons in the United States and England, both organic and non-organic, and found that tampons, regardless of where they came from or how they were classified, contained low levels of metals.
How did metals get into tampons?
There are several ways metals can end up in tampons, the study says.
- The cotton material may have been absorbed from its environment or from nearby contaminants.
- Metals may be added as a way to add a pigment, whitener, or antibacterial agent.
“I believe manufacturers should test their products for metals, especially toxic metals,” Sherston said. “It would be exciting to see the public calling for this, or asking for better labeling on tampons and other menstrual products.”
