Tampons Found to Contain Toxic Metals in World First Study
An estimated 52–86% of people, who menstruate in the US, use tampons.
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A new study has detected toxic metals in tampons from 14 different brands. Published in Environment International, this research is the first to measure metal concentrations in tampons.
The vaginal epithelium has a higher potential for chemical absorption
Tampons are commonly used to manage menstrual bleeding. An estimated 52–86% of people, who menstruate in the US, use tampons. Given the average length of an individual's reproductive years, a menstruator may use more than 7,400 tampons in the lifetime, each used for several hours.
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Subscribe for FREEThe epithelium of the vaginal canal has a higher potential for chemical absorption compared to skin elsewhere in the body. Considering the widespread and prolonged use of tampons, there is increasing interest in understanding their potential role as a source of chemical exposure.
“Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons,” said Dr. Jenni A. Shearston, lead author and postdoctoral scholar at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and UC Berkeley’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management.
A previous review investigated 15 studies that looked at the presence of chemicals in tampons, finding a range of chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, parabens and flame retardants. However, until now, no studies have investigated the potential contamination of metal(loids).
Metals are naturally found in the environment, but heavy metal toxicity poses several health risks to humans. Exposure to these metals can increase the risk of dementia, infertility and cancer. Additionally, these inorganic substances can damage the liver, kidneys and cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems.
Toxic metals were found in all tampon samples
A total of 30 individual tampon products were tested, consisting of 24 unique brand-product line-absorbency combinations, purchased from US, EU and UK stores. The levels of 16 metals were measured, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), including several toxic metals such as lead and arsenic. Tampons were compared by various characteristics such as region of purchase, organic material and brand type/ absorbency.
“Concerningly, we found concentrations of all metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead,” said Shearston.
Although metal concentrations varied depending on where the tampons were purchased, organic vs. non–organic and store vs. name–brands, no category had consistently lower concentrations of all or most metals. Several toxic metals were present in all samples, with the highest lead concentrations in non-organic tampons and the highest arsenic concentrations in organic tampons.
Calling for tighter regulations
“Although toxic metals are ubiquitous and we are exposed to low levels at any given time, our study clearly shows that metals are also present in menstrual products and that women might be at higher risk for exposure using these products,” said co-author Dr. Kathrin Schiling, assistant professor in Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
“I really hope that manufacturers are required to test their products for metals, especially for toxic metals. It would be exciting to see the public call for this, or to ask for better labeling on tampons and other menstrual products,” said Shearston.
Further studies are needed to assess whether the metals detected can leach out of the tampons and be absorbed by the body, contributing to any potential negative health effects. Considering the abundance of several toxic metals — including lead that has no recognized “safe” exposure level — the results call for stricter regulations in menstrual products.
Reference: Shearston JA, Upson K, Gordon M, et al. Tampons as a source of exposure to metal(loid)s. Environ Intl. 2024;190:108849. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108849
This article is a rework of a press release issued by the University of California, Berkeley. Material has been edited for length and content.
