Researchers Found Elevated Levels of Lead, Arsenic and Other Toxic Metals in Tampons: Study

Popular name brand tampons often contain higher amounts of toxic heavy metals than their cheaper, store brand competitors, researchers found.

A recent study has revealed that many tampons contain high levels of toxic metals, such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium, which can be quickly absorbed through vaginal tissue, posing various health concerns that may result from systemic exposure.

In a report published in the August 2024 edition of the scientific journal Environment International, a team of researchers from Columbia University, University of California Berkeley, and Michigan State University indicate that the metals were found in at least 14 tampon brands and 18 different product lines commonly sold throughout the United States.

Metals can contaminate tampons through the cotton or fibers from soil, pesticides, and fertilizers. Processing, bleaching, industrial equipment, packaging materials, and environmental factors like polluted air or water may also contribute to the contamination. Additives, dyes, or fragrances can introduce metals as well.

Exposure to toxic metals in tampons could pose several health risks, including reproductive health issues such as infertility and hormonal disruption, the researchers warn. Metals like cadmium and lead are known human carcinogens, and may increase the risk of cancer with chronic exposure. They can also weaken the immune system, cause skin irritation, and accumulate in organs like the liver, kidneys, and brain, leading to long-term health issues.

For pregnant women, exposure to toxic metals in Tampons may harm fetal development, potentially causing birth defects and developmental delays. Additionally, chronic exposure can contribute to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Regular use of tampons with elevated toxic metal levels can lead to their absorption through the vaginal mucosa, accumulating these health risks over time, according to the researchers.

In this latest study, a team led by Jenni A. Shearston, of Columbia University and the University of California Berkley, looked at 60 samples from 30 unique tampons, analyzing them to measure concentrations of 16 metals. Most metals showed consistent levels within the same tampon but varied significantly between different brands and products.

Toxic metals like arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and vanadium were detectable in all samples, with lead showing the highest concentration. Metal concentrations differed notably across various brand-product line-absorbency combinations. Several metals demonstrated moderate to strong correlations with each other, highlighting complex interactions within tampon compositions.

According to the findings, lead, cadmium, and cobalt were lower in tampons from the EU and the UK compared to those from the U.S. Levels were also lower in store brand tampons versus name brands. No differences were observed between tampons with cardboard and plastic applicators.

The study revealed significant variability between brands and manufacturers for nearly all metals analyzed, with some metals showing very high variability across brands and manufacturers. Differences in median metal concentrations were observed between organic and non-organic tampons. For example, lead levels were higher in non-organic tampons, while arsenic levels were higher in organic tampons.

Tampons purchased in the EU/UK had lower concentrations of lead, cobalt and cadmium, compared to those purchased in the U.S.  Store-brand tampons generally had higher median concentrations of copper, nickel, and selenium, compared to name-brand tampons, while zinc concentrations were lower in store-brand tampons. These findings underscore significant variability in metal content across different tampon types and brands, the researchers determined.

Regulations regarding tampons vary among the U.S., EU, and UK, with minimal requirements for testing and safety assessment.

In the United States, tampons are classified as medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which does not mandate testing for chemical contaminants beyond recommendations to avoid certain compounds.

Similarly, in the EU and UK, tampons fall under general safety directives and regulations that emphasize market entry safety but do not specifically require testing for chemicals like toxic metals. Unlike textiles in the EU, which have strict limits for metals like lead, copper and arsenic, tampons lack comparable regulatory limits, despite potential increased absorption risks due to vaginal contact.

“Tampon use is a potential source of metal exposure. We detected all 16 metals in at least one sampled tampon, including some toxic metals like lead that has no ‘safe’ exposure level,” Shearston’s team reported. “Future research is needed to replicate our findings and determine whether metals can leach out of tampons and cross the vaginal epithelium into systemic circulation.”