Toxic Metals Found in Tampons

a { color: #880000 !important; background: #ffeeee !important; } Latest NewsToxic Metals Found in TamponsHealth > HealthA study led by the University of California, Berkeley, has found concerning levels of toxic metals, including lead and arsenic, in tampons. Researchers tested 30 tampons from 14 different brands and detected all 16 metals they were looking for. The study highlights the potential health risks associated with these metals, which can be absorbed more easily through the vaginal skin. The FDA regulates tampons as medical devices, but this is the first study to measure metal concentrations in these products.

What's happened

A study led by the University of California, Berkeley, has found concerning levels of toxic metals, including lead and arsenic, in tampons. Researchers tested 30 tampons from 14 different brands and detected all 16 metals they were looking for. The study highlights the potential health risks associated with these metals, which can be absorbed more easily through the vaginal skin. The FDA regulates tampons as medical devices, but this is the first study to measure metal concentrations in these products.

What's behind the headline?

What the papers say

According to The Independent, the study led by UC Berkeley found that tampons contain concerning levels of toxic metals, including lead and arsenic. Vishwam Sankaran reports that the skin of the vagina has a higher potential for absorbing chemicals, making the findings particularly alarming. Al Jazeera echoes these concerns, noting that the vagina's greater capacity for absorbing chemicals compared to other body parts makes the presence of toxic metals in tampons especially troubling. The Guardian highlights the broader implications of the study, pointing out that the findings add to the growing body of evidence about the ubiquity of toxic chemicals in everyday products.

How we got here

Tampons are widely used menstrual products, with estimates suggesting that more than half of people who menstruate use them regularly. Despite their widespread use, there has been little research into the presence of toxic chemicals in tampons. This study, led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, is the first to measure the concentration of metals in tampons. The researchers tested 30 tampons from 14 different brands and found all 16 metals they were looking for, including toxic metals like lead and arsenic. The findings raise significant public health concerns, given the potential health risks associated with these metals.

Go deeper

What are the health risks associated with toxic metals in tampons?
How did the researchers conduct the study on tampons?
What can consumers do to protect themselves from toxic metals in tampons?

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