Telha
A new study has found arsenic, lead, and other toxic metals in multiple tampon brands. Researchers analyzed 18 product lines from 14 brands, discovering “concentrations of several toxic metals,” according to a publication in Environment International.
The study tested for arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc, finding “measurable concentrations of all 16 metals assessed.”
“Lead concentrations were higher in non-organic tampons, while arsenic was higher in organic tampons,” the study noted, adding that “no category had consistently lower concentrations of all or most metals.”
These findings are particularly concerning due to the unique biology of the vagina, which has more permeable skin than other body parts. Researchers also highlighted that “vaginally absorbed chemicals do not undergo first-pass metabolism and detoxification via the liver,” entering systemic circulation directly.
Although the brands in the study were not named, they were available for purchase in the U.S., U.K., and Greece.
The study also pointed out that “regulations in the U.S., EU, and U.K. protecting consumers from potential contaminants in tampons are nearly nonexistent, and none of these governments requires manufacturers to test their products for harmful chemicals, including metals.”
