Author: University of California, Berkeley
Published: 03/07/2024
Type of publication: Research, study, analysis – Peer reviewed: Yeah
Content: Summary – Introduction – Major – Related
Synopsis: The presence of toxic metals such as lead, arsenic and cadmium in tampons could pose several potential health risks to women. Researchers assessed the levels of 16 metals (arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium and zinc) in 30 tampons from 14 different brands. Metals have been found to increase the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes and cancer. They can damage the liver, kidneys and brain, as well as the cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems. In addition, metals can harm maternal health and fetal development.
Introduction
Tampons of various brands that are potentially used by millions of people each month may contain toxic metals such as lead, arsenic and cadmium, a new study led by a UC Berkeley researcher has found.
Main Summary
Tampons are of particular concern as a potential source of exposure to chemicals, including metals, because vaginal skin has a greater potential for chemical absorption than skin on other parts of the body. In addition, a large percentage of the population uses these products every month (50-80% of menstruating women use tampons) for several hours at a time.
“Despite this significant potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals present in tampons,” said lead author Jenni A. Shearston, a postdoctoral researcher at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and the UC Berkeley Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management. “To our knowledge, this is the first paper to measure metals in tampons. It’s concerning that we found concentrations of all of the metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead.”
Metals have been found to increase the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes and cancer. They can damage the liver, kidneys and brain, as well as the cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems. They can also harm maternal health and fetal development.
“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 may be at increased risk of exposure when using these products,” said study co-author Kathrin Schilling, an assistant professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.
Researchers assessed levels of 16 metals (arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc) in 30 tampons from 14 different brands. Metal concentrations varied depending on where the tampons were purchased (US vs. EU/UK), whether they were organic vs. nonorganic, and whether they were branded or off-brand. However, they found that metals were present in all types of tampons; no category had consistently lower concentrations of all or most metals. Lead concentrations were highest in nonorganic tampons, but arsenic was highest in organic tampons.
Metals could get into tampons in several ways: The cotton material could have absorbed the metals from water, air, soil, through a nearby contaminant (for example, if a cotton field was near a lead smelter), or some could be intentionally added during manufacturing as part of a pigment, bleach, antibacterial agent, or some other process in the factory that produces the products.
“I really hope that manufacturers are forced to test their products for the presence of metals, especially toxic metals,” Shearston said. “It would be exciting to see the public calling for that or to see improved labeling of tampons and other menstrual products.”
It is currently unclear whether the metals detected in this study contribute to any negative health effects. Future research will look at how much of these metals can leach out of tampons and be absorbed by the body, as well as the presence of other chemicals in tampons.
Attribution/Source(s):
This peer-reviewed publication entitled Study reveals presence of arsenic, lead and other toxic metals in tampons The editors of Disabled World selected this book for publication because of its relevance to the disabled community. While the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity, its original author was University of California, Berkeley and published on 07/03/2024. For further details or clarifications, you can contact University of California, Berkeley directly from berkeley.edu Disabled World does not offer any warranty or endorsement related to this article.
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Cite this page (APA): University of California – Berkeley. (July 3, 2024). Study reveals presence of arsenic, lead and other toxic metals in tampons. Disabled worldRetrieved July 3, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/news/research/toxic-tampons.php
Permanent link: Study reveals presence of arsenic, lead and other toxic metals in tampons:The presence of toxic metals such as lead, arsenic and cadmium in tampons could pose several potential risks to women’s health.
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