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Researchers discover toxic metals, contaminants in tampons
A study from the University of California Berkley revealed high levels of toxic metals, including arsenic, lead, and cadmium, in tampons.
Recently, researchers from the University of California (UC) Berkley published an article in Environment International revealing measurable concentrations of 16 metals in tampons, indicating a potential health risk.
According to the article, 52–86% of menstruating individuals in the United States use tampons during their menstrual cycle; however, tampons —typically made of cotton or rayon — may contain metals picked up during the agricultural or manufacturing processes. Since these compounds are inserted into the vagina, which is highly absorbent, there is a potential health risk.
In the US, the FDA regulates tampons as medical devices; however, they are not regularly tested for chemical contaminants.
“Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons,” said lead author Jenni A. Shearston, a postdoctoral scholar at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and UC Berkeley’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management, in the UC Berkley news release. “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.”
The researchers analyzed the levels of 16 different metals and metalloids in 30 tampons, which included 14 different brands and 18 product lines. They collected 0.2–0.3 g of each tampon and broke them down using microwave acid digestion. Then, the samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to detect levels of arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc.
Researchers found measurable concentrations of all of the metals tested. Additionally, the geometric mean concentrations of lead, cadmium, and arsenic were 120, 6.74, and 2.56 ng/g, respectively.
“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,” said study co-author Kathrin Schilling, assistant professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
