Toxic Chemicals Feminine Tampons

Toxic Chemicals Detected in Feminine Tampons
Study Reveals Presence of Metals Such as Arsenic and Lead
Organic Tampons Had Less Lead but More Arsenic than Non-Organic

Arsenic and lead are among the metals found in feminine tampons distributed in the United States and Europe.

Millions of women could be affected by the regular use of 14 well-known brands.

The findings were published on July 6 in the journal Environmental International.

The effect on women’s health could be at risk, according to the article, as lead exposure can cause neurological damage.

Study on Metal Concentration and Toxic Chemicals in Tampons

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This is the first study on metal concentrations in tampons, said Jenni Shearston, a researcher from the Berkeley School of Public Health and the University of California.

The research began with tests on 30 tampons from 14 brands.

The analysis started by looking for concentrations of arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc.

Only one product contained all 16 metals, though the journal did not specify the brand.

The results alarmed researchers due to the potential health impact of metal concentrations on women’s health.

The vaginal skin, the journal notes, is more permeable than other body areas.

This means everything absorbed through this route goes directly into the bloodstream without filters, according to the study’s authors.

Lead concentrations could cause the most damage to women’s bodies.

Tampons are made of cotton, rayon, or a combination of both.

Researchers believe there are two ways the product could become contaminated.

The metals could have come from the soil through the plants used to manufacture the products, which they detail as the first cause.

The second cause, according to specialists, could be related to chemicals used in tampons as antimicrobials or to control odor.

The scientific article highlights that organic feminine tampons had less lead and more arsenic than non-organic ones.

Additionally, those sold in the United States had higher concentrations of lead than those sold in Europe.

To determine what influenced the levels of metal concentration, new studies are needed, according to the researchers.

These analyses, according to specialists, should be part of the regulation by health institutions. In the United States, this would be the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).