Do you use tampons while you’re on your cycle? Well, what if I told you that in a recent study published in the journal Environment International, researchers found that many tampons contain harmful leads? This revelation underscores the urgent need for increased scrutiny and regulation of menstrual products to ensure the safety of women’s health.
The findings
The study meticulously analyzed 30 different tampon products from 14 popular brands across the U.S. and Europe. The researchers tested these products for 16 different metals, including lead, arsenic, nickel, mercury, and zinc. All the products that were tested contained at least one of these toxic metals. Although the specific brands tested could not be disclosed, the implications are clear: no tampon brand is immune from potential contamination.
What does this mean？
Lead, even at low levels of exposure, can damage a human's health. The article's author, Grace Snelling, urges that there is no safe amount of lead a human can consume without taking health damage. This is because the lead that is found in tampons can leak out and be absorbed into the bloodstream, which can cause damage to the circulatory system. Lead being absorbed into the circulatory system is unhealthy because of how it can cause a range of neurological issues.
More research is needed...
In the US, the FDA classifies tampons as Class II medical devices. This classification does not include testing for harmful toxins, such as lead. The author claims that more research should be conducted and that there should be more stringent regulations put in place to prevent women from becoming ill from using tampons.
With the majority of women relying on tampons during their cycle, the potential health risks that come with using tampons should not be ignored. Although researchers are still unclear about the amount of toxic chemicals that leak out of tampons while women use them, the research done is an important and significant step toward addressing this crucial problem.
What’s next?
As we wait for more research to be done, it is important to stay informed and advocate for better regulations and testing of menstrual products (not only tampons). To read the full article, please refer to this link.
References
Snelling, G. (2024, June 8). An alarming study shows many tampons contain lead, arsenic, and other toxic metals. Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/91152385/popular-top-selling-tampons-have-lead-arsenic-toxic-metals-list
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