tampon arsenic: Do tampons contain toxic metals like Arsenic and Lead?

Tampons might expose users to chemicals (tampon arsenic), including metals because the vaginal skin absorbs chemicals more easily than other body parts. Many people who menstruate—between 50-80%—use tampons each month for several hours.

Lack of Research on tampon arsenic:

“Even though this could be a big health concern, not much research has been done to check for chemicals in tampons,” says Jenni A. Shearston, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley.

Findings on Metal Presence in Tampons:

“Our study is the first to measure metals in tampons. We found all the metals we tested for, including harmful ones like arsenic and lead.”

Health Risks of Metals:

Metals can increase the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes, and cancer. They can harm the liver, kidneys, brain, and other systems in the body. Metals can also affect maternal health and fetal development.

“Even though we are exposed to low levels of toxic metals all the time, our study shows that tampons also contain these metals, which could increase women’s risk of exposure,” says Kathrin Schilling, a professor at Columbia University.

Details of the Study:

Researchers tested 16 metals (like arsenic, lead, and mercury) in 30 tampons from 14 brands. They found metals in all types of tampons, whether bought in the US, EU/UK, organic or non-organic, and store or name brands. Non-organic tampons had more lead, while organic tampons had more arsenic.

How Metals Get Into Tampons?

Metals might get into tampons through the cotton absorbing them from water, air, soil, nearby contaminants, or during manufacturing as part of the process.

“I hope manufacturers will test their products for metals, especially toxic ones,” says Shearston. “It would be great if the public demanded this or better labeling on tampons and other menstrual products.”

Future Research:

Right now, it’s not clear if the metals found in this study cause any health problems. Future research will test how much of these metals can come out of the tampons and be absorbed by the body, and will also check for other chemicals in tampons.