What is going on with tampons and metal?

There are many negative aspects to the menstrual cycle: the taboo around discussing it, the pain, the discomfort, the acne, the fatigue, the high cost of menstrual products, which many people still cannot afford due to financial limitations and period poverty that remains an issue. It’s not the only one. A scientific study published in the journal Environmental International found the presence of toxic metals in tampons purchased in the United States, England, and Greece. The results seem alarming, especially considering that vaginal tissue is more permeable than other parts of the body and that on average a person with menstruation will spend about five years of their reproductive life using approximately 11,000 pads, tampons, liners, and other menstrual products.

Heavy metals in tampons? What the new research proves

Researchers at UC Berkeley tested 30 internal and external tampons, both organic and non-organic, from 14 different brands (the names of which were not specified), purchased from retailers in New York, Greece, and London between September 2022 and March 2023. Investigating potential contaminants, they measured the metal concentrations in the non-woven outer layer of the tampons and the inner absorbent core, which is made of materials like cotton, rayon, or viscose. They found measurable concentrations of at least 16 different metals: arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc. The exact amount varied depending on the region where the products were purchased and the material they were made of. Data reports an average of 100 nanograms per gram of lead and 2 nanograms per gram of arsenic. Notably, the study found that organic tampons, despite being promoted in recent years as a sustainable alternative for menstrual care, contained higher levels of arsenic, while non-organic ones had higher levels of lead.

Are tampons dangerous?

Jenni A. Shearston, PhD, MPH, lead author of the study and postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkeley, emphasizes that "It is important to recognize that these are small concentrations, but at the same time, people use tampons for several hours at a time, for several days in a row, for decades of their lives, so even a low concentration of a truly harmful substance can be a problem". The negative effects of heavy metal exposure on health are well documented: they damage the cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems, harm the liver, kidneys, and brain, increase the risk of dementia and cancer, and harm maternal health and fetal development. The accumulation of lead in the body can cause organ damage, seizures, and even death; while arsenic can increase the risk of cancer or neurological diseases. Despite these risks, the study, the first of its kind, only observed the presence of metals and does not conclude that tampons are unsafe or dangerous for health. It was unable to determine whether a metal, even if released into the body, could be absorbed by the vaginal mucosa and subsequently into the bloodstream.

Should we stop using tampons?

As mentioned, the Berkeley study does not determine if metals can be absorbed by the body, if one tampon is better than another, or if it is truly dangerous to continue using tampons. Therefore, Kathrin Schilling, associate professor of environmental health sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in New York City and co-author of the study, advises not to panic: "I don’t want people to panic, but to know that heavy metals have been found in these menstrual products." Upon learning of the study, Amanda Hils, spokeswoman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates tampons and other menstrual products as medical devices, said the agency is reviewing the research to "take any necessary steps to safeguard the health of consumers using these products".

Is there a way to protect oneself?

Regarding tampons, it is important to remember that manufacturers and the FDA recommend not using them overnight or for more than eight hours because they increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome, a deadly bacterial infection that can cause organ failure and death if untreated. With the news of the presence of metals, some people may feel safer using other menstrual hygiene devices, such as the menstrual cup. However, researchers are cautious about demonizing these products and argue that the next step will be research to understand whether these metals can leach from tampons and be absorbed by the body. The UC Berkeley study is the first on the subject and demonstrates how women’s health has historically been underrepresented, poorly studied, and underfunded, highlighting the importance of changing this trend.