Research suggests that some tampons may contain toxic metals, including arsenic, lead, and cadmium. A large portion of the population uses these products every month, but are tampons safe to use? Consumer Reports explains.
Tampon users have been taking to TikTok to video themselves tossing their unused products straight into the trash, and the panic comes after a new study found traces of toxic metals such as lead and arsenic in many tampons.
The types of metals found varied slightly depending on the brand, but one key finding was that even tampons labeled “organic” contained traces of these contaminants, particularly arsenic.
Although the study did not reveal brand names, researchers found that more than a dozen popular brands of tampons contained the toxic metal, including European brands.
Exposure to lead can cause serious health problems, including high blood pressure and reproductive health issues. Arsenic is a known carcinogen and is associated with an increased risk of several cancers.
Dr. Sasha Hernandez of NYU Langone Health says the study comes with an important caveat: “Vaginal tissue is different from other tissues in that it is highly absorbent, but this study did not look at absorption rates.”
The study found that there are several ways metals can get into tampons, including through raw materials like cotton, which can become contaminated in water, air or soil during production.
Tampons need to be more tightly regulated. For example, manufacturers should be required to test their products for heavy metals and other contaminants. There should also be laws requiring manufacturers to disclose all ingredients and additives in their feminine hygiene products.
If you want to avoid some of the additives that many brands contain, you can take a few extra steps when buying tampons.
Read labels carefully and choose products with fewer and simpler ingredients. Look for tampons that are plastic-free. Avoid added fragrances and dyes.
The biggest known risk from using tampons is toxic shock syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening illness caused by toxin-producing bacteria. The illness can cause sudden high fever, vomiting, and dizziness. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately and be sure to tell them you’re using tampons.
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