100% of Tampons Contain Toxic Heavy Metals like Lead and Arsenic
Use of shop-bought sanitary products is likely to be a source of persistent exposure to toxic substances
One-hundred percent of tampons tested by scientists as part of a new study contained toxic heavy metals such as lead and arsenic.
Heavy metals are highly toxic and can even cause death in sufficient concentration. At lower concentrations, they can cause profound health effects by binding to vital cellular components such as proteins, enzymes and nucleic acids. Long-term exposure can have carcinogenic, neurotoxic and circulatory effects.
Researchers tested 60 tampons representing 14 different brands from the US, UK and EU. These included name brands and also store-brand products, and organic and non-organic products.
The samples were analyzed using a process called inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to identify metals present.
The researchers founded lead and cadmium in 100% of samples. Arsenic was found in 95% of samples. The highest concentrations were for zinc and calcium, which are not considered to be toxic.
UK and EU tampons generally had lower concentrations of metals than US tampons.
While organic products had lower levels of lead, they had higher levels of arsenic.
It’s unclear what the effects of this contamination are at present, and the researchers behind the new study believe further research is urgently needed. Vaginal tissue is among the most absorbent tissue in the body and provides a direct route into the bloodstream without undergoing first-pass metabolism in the digestive system. Vaginal delivery is known to lead to higher uterine concentrations of drugs than oral delivery.
It’s therefore likely that regular use of shop-bought tampons is a source of significant exposure to toxic heavy metals.
The average woman will may use as many as 11,000 tampons in her lifetime, amounting to 1,800 days or five full years of intimate exposure to whatever substances are on those tampons.
As well as heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic chemicals are persistent contaminants of women’s sanitary products, including tampons and pads. Many of these chemicals are used as fragrances or for their antimicrobial or non-stick properties. Others may be present due to the manufacturing process. Dioxins, known carcinogens, are a byproduct of chlorine bleaching, which is often used on sanitary products.
