Tampons Poisoning You? Study Reveals Toxic Metals Used in Tampon Brands

New Delhi, India: If you prefer tampons over pads for convenience, there's concerning news for you. A study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, analyzing 30 tampons from 14 brands, has revealed the presence of 16 metals including arsenic, lead, mercury, nickel, copper, and iron. These findings suggest a potential risk of serious health conditions associated with their use.

Findings of metal levels varied depending on whether the tampons were sold in the US, UK, or EU, whether they were organic or not, and whether they were branded or supermarket lines.

The study revealed that around 52% and 86% of women in the US use tampons during their menstrual cycle. 

According to the researchers, these metals are very dangerous if contaminated with harmful substances as they come into direct contact with the vagina, where they are more easily absorbed.

“Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to measure metals in tampons. Concerningly, we found concentrations of all metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead,” said Jenni Shearston, lead author of the study quoted by some news reports. 

What happens if the metal in tampons is absorbed by vagina? 

In case the metal gets absorbed by vagina it increases the risk of dementia, cancer, infertility and diabetes. The metal absorption also creates issues in the liver, kidneys, brains, cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems. 

These metals are also harmful for unborn babies. 

No brands’ tampons could be considered as safe as the study found higher levels of arsenic in Organic tampons while non-organic ones had more lead in them. 

Metals can make their way into tampons through various means - by the cotton absorbing contaminated water, air or soil, or through manufacturers intentionally adding it as part of a pigment.

There is no "safe" level of any of the metals tested for, the researchers warned.

Shearston added: "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 labelling on tampons and other menstrual products.”