Petition to manufacturers demanding they remove metal from their sanitary products
A new study led by a UC Berkeley researcher has found that tampons from several popular brands may contain toxic metals, such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium.
This discovery raises significant public health concern regarding the presence of toxic metals in tampons. Once again, and as with the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome first encountered in the 1970’s through the use of super absorbency tampons and not changing any tampon regularly used throughout the days of wearing them; the safety of tampon use is again in question.
This time, concerns due to the potential health risks associated with these toxic metals, especially given the sensitive nature of the vaginal tissues, which is more susceptible to chemical absorption compared to other areas of the body, are now growing.
With 50-80% of people who menstruate using tampons on a monthly basis, often for extended periods, the presence of these harmful substances in such widely used products is alarming.
The research conducted by UC Berkeley and Columbia University reveals that tampons from various brands, including both organic and non-organic options, contain potentially harmful metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium.
Researchers analysed the levels of 16 different metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, in 30 tampons from 14 different brands. The study revealed that metal concentrations varied depending on factors like the region where the tampons were purchased (US vs. EU/UK), whether they were organic or non-organic, and whether they were store-brand or name-brand.
However, no category consistently showed lower concentrations of all or most metals, indicating that these toxic substances were present across the board. Notably, lead concentrations were found to be higher in non-organic tampons, while arsenic levels were higher in organic tampons.
Metals have been found to increase the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes, and cancer. They can damage the liver, kidneys, and brain, as well as the cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems. In addition, metals can harm maternal health and fetal development.
Metals could make their way into tampons in several ways: The cotton material could have absorbed the metals from water, air, soil, through a nearby contaminant (for example, if a cotton field was near a lead smelter), or some might be added intentionally during manufacturing as part of a pigment, whitener, antibacterial agent, or some other process in the factory producing the products.
Given the high absorption potential of the vaginal skin, which is more permeable than other areas of the body, the findings are particularly troubling.
This is especially concerning as a large portion of the population regularly uses tampons, exposing them to these metals for extended periods each month.
The study underscores the need for increased scrutiny and regulation of menstrual products, particularly regarding the presence of toxic metals.
The researchers call for more rigorous testing and better labelling of these products to inform consumers and potentially reduce exposure to harmful substances.
Although the direct health impacts of the detected metals are not yet fully understood, the study sets the stage for future research to explore how much of these metals can be absorbed by the body and the potential long-term health effects.
Commenting on the research, co-author Kathrin Schilling, assistant professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, said:
“Although toxic metals are ubiquitous and we are exposed to low levels at any given time, our study clearly shows that metals are also present in menstrual products, and that women might be at higher risk for exposure using these products.”
“I really hope that manufacturers are required to test their products for metals, especially for toxic metals,” said co-author Jenni Shearston. “It would be exciting to see the public call for this, or to ask for better labeling on tampons and other menstrual products.”
You can sign the petition to manufacturers demanding removal of toxic metals from tampons, by clicking on the image above.
The full Report and further info is available in the Unionionsafety E-Library here or by clicking on the image top-left.
Source: Environment International / CNN / Eko.org / Columbia University
