A new study published this month has discovered some tampons could contain toxic heavy metals, including lead and arsenic. Before panicking, it’s essential to understand the study and question why this information is only now coming to light.
The study, titled “Tampons as a Source of Exposure to Metal(loid)s,” is available on Science Direct. It measured the levels of heavy metals in 30 tampons from 14 brands, including both organic and non-organic, name brand and generic, from the US and EU. Although the detected amounts are small, they are not zero. The study explicitly states there is no known safe exposure level to lead, and lead is just one of the many metals found.
I usually recommend organic tampons to consumers to reduce the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. This study found concentrations of lead higher in non-organic products and arsenic higher in organic tampons tested.
Where Did The Metals Come From?
How did metals end up in tampons? The contamination could occur as simply as the cotton absorbing metals from the environment during growth or more directly through the cleaning or bleaching processes.
Frustratingly, the study does not specify the brands tested, meaning that whatever tampons you have in your cabinet—or are using right now—could be from one of the affected brands. While it’s important not to panic, it’s equally crucial not to dismiss this issue.
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Should You Throw Away Your Tampons?
As someone not fully qualified to interpret this study, I find some reassurance in knowing that the detected levels of heavy metals in tampons are very low according to other experts. Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, in a video where she used ChatGPT to assist with the calculations, compares these levels to those found in other everyday items like plastic water bottles. The levels found in tampons are below food products and water bottles according to her interpretation of the study data.
The harsh reality is that our environment is inundated with toxins and microplastics. Case in point, even the most trusted brands of period underwear must label their products as having “no detectable levels of PFAS” because these substances are so ubiquitous that no brand can truthfully claim their products are entirely free of them.
Until further studies clarify how much, if any, of these metals are absorbed into the skin via tampons, consumers face a tough decision. Should we stop using tampons altogether out of an abundance of caution, or continue using them, acknowledging that while the detected levels are minimal, they are not zero, and the potential health impacts remain uncertain?
Only you can decide for yourself which option feels right.
Tampon Alternatives
Following the recent study, many have inquired about starting with reusable menstrual cups and discs. Cups and discs, made from medical-grade silicone, offer significant peace of mind as they neither absorb nor leach substances back into the skin. Additionally, cups and discs hold more fluid than tampons and allow for longer wear times. Their reusability contributes to waste reduction and offers substantial savings over time, with an initial investment of $30-$40 potentially saving you money over their up-to-ten-year lifespan.
While there is a learning curve with both products, choosing the one that best suits your body can lead to optimal results. To assist in making the right choice, Period Nirvana offers a quiz to help you find the best menstrual cup or disc for your needs.
For those unable to use cups but interested in other alternatives, period underwear brands like Saalt Wear and Aisle have tested their products and found no detectable levels of PFAS. Aisle also offers cloth pads, another reusable and sustainable option.
What’s Next?
The recent study underscores the need for more extensive testing, marking the first investigation into the presence of heavy metals in tampons. This initial research paves the way for significant work ahead. Brands are likely to pay attention, but in an era where governments favor reduced regulation, this study exemplifies the necessity for stricter oversight. Without adequate regulation, unethical brands may do the bare minimum, posing potentially serious risks to consumer safety. The reduction of regulatory standards for products that are worn in such a porous part of the body could lead to future health crises.
As our understanding of the effects of heavy metals in tampons deepens, it is crucial to establish new standards to ensure these products are safe. Historical precedents show the dire consequences of insufficient regulation. Tampon manufacturers had to alter their bleaching processes after the discovery of dioxin, a harmful by-product linked to cancers, hormone disruption, and endometriosis. In the 1980s, Procter & Gamble had to halt the production of their Rely tampons after they were linked to a surge in Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) cases, prompting the FDA to tighten tampon regulations.
This latest study could signal a turning point in the testing and regulation of tampons. With rigorous testing and regulated limits, we can better protect consumers and prevent future health issues. Womens health research is underfunded, a likely contributing factor to why we are just finding out about the presence of lead in tampons. The best thing we can do for our health and also sanity is to make the best choices we can with what we know today.
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