A US study has revealed shocking findings: scientists from the University of California examined tampons and tested them for harmful substances. “What’s concerning is that we found concentrations of all the metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead,” says study author Jenni A. Shearston.
For the first time, tampons were tested for their metal content – 30 tampons from 14 different brands from the US, EU and UK were tested – the exact products were not disclosed.
“Although toxic metals are ubiquitous and we are exposed to small amounts at any given time, our study shows that metals are also found in menstrual products and may therefore put women at greater risk,” said co-author Kathrin Schilling.
Study author: “Very little research has been done to date”
Particularly dramatic: pollutants can enter the body through the vaginal skin even more easily than through other parts of the skin. “Despite this great potential for public health, very little research has been done on the chemicals in tampons,” warns Shearston.
The tampons were tested for levels of 16 metals: arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium and zinc. According to the researchers, different concentrations of contaminants were found depending on whether the tampons were purchased in the US or Europe or whether they were organic products.
Organic products also contain toxic metals
Metal could be detected in each test object. Lead concentration was higher in non-organic products, but arsenic concentration was higher in organic products. The researchers cannot say how the tampons became contaminated, but they point to an increased risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes and cancer due to the contamination.
“I really hope that manufacturers are required to test their products for metals, especially toxic metals,” Stearson hopes the research results will lead to action. “It would be exciting to see the public demand this or demand better labeling on tampons and other menstrual products.”
Source: Krone
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