Harmful Substances Found in Tampons: Lead and Arsenic Discovered

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Harmful Substances Found in Tampons: Lead and Arsenic Discovered by Researchers

Harmful Substances Found in Tampons: Lead and Arsenic Discovered by Researchers [Latest Study]

Detection of Various Metals in All 14 Brands and 30 Types of Tampons: What This Study Reveals and Its Implications.

A recent study has discovered that tampons from several well-known brands, used by millions of people monthly, contain harmful metals such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium. Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, examined 16 types of metals present in 30 different tampon varieties from 14 brands.

The concentrations of these metals in menstrual products varied depending on factors such as the purchase location (U.S., EU, or UK), whether the product was organic, and if it was a private label or manufacturer brand. Despite these variations, almost all metals were detected across all tampon types. Non-organic tampons showed higher levels of lead, while organic tampons had higher levels of arsenic.

Jenny Shearston, a researcher at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health and the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, expressed concern over the lack of studies testing the chemical composition of tampons despite significant public health concerns. “To our knowledge, this study is the first to measure all metals in tampons, including harmful ones like arsenic and lead,” she stated.

Harmful Substances Found in Tampons: Lead and Arsenic Discovered by Researchers . Detection of Various Metals in All 14 Brands and 30 Types of Tampons: What This Study Reveals and Its Implications.

What Metals Were Found in Tampons?

The study measured 16 metals in tampons, including arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc. Cotton used in tampons may absorb these metals from water, air, soil, or surrounding pollutants, especially if factories are located near cotton fields. Additionally, metals could be introduced during the tampon manufacturing process through pigments, bleaching agents, and antimicrobial treatments.

The Risks of Harmful Metals in Tampons

There is a concern that the vagina may absorb chemicals more readily than other skin areas. In Western countries, 50-80% of women use tampons, often for several hours at a time. Metals are linked to increased risks of dementia, infertility, diabetes, and cancer, as well as adverse effects on the liver, kidneys, brain, cardiovascular system, nervous system, and endocrine system. They may also impact maternal health and fetal development.

“These harmful metals are ubiquitous, and we all ingest small amounts,” said Kathryn Schilling, an assistant professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and co-author of the study. “Our study clearly shows that menstrual products also contain these metals, and using these products could increase women’s exposure to harmful metals.”

The study’s authors hope their findings will lead to mandatory testing of tampons for harmful metals by manufacturers and increased consumer awareness and improvements in the quality labeling of tampons and other menstrual products.

Whether the detected metals adversely affect health remains uncertain. Further research is needed to measure the amount of these metals that might leach from tampons and be absorbed into the body, as well as to examine other chemicals present in tampons.