Studies reveal toxins in certain menstrual products
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A recent study published in the Environment International journal detected small amounts of lead, arsenic, and other potentially toxic chemicals in tampons. The research highlighted that organic tampons had higher arsenic levels, whereas non-organic ones contained more lead. Further research is needed to determine whether these heavy metals can leach into the body and affect health. This finding is prompting both users and industry leaders to push for stricter regulations and clearer labeling to ensure safety and informed choices in commonly used menstrual products.
Source
Shearston, J. A., Upson, K., Gordon, M., Do, V., Balac, O., Nguyen, K., Yan, B., Kioumourtzoglou, M. A., & Schilling, K. (2024). Tampons as a source of exposure to metal(loid)s. Environment international, 190, 108849. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.108849
Additional Reading
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/11/health/tampons-lead-arsenic-plastics-wellness/index.html
https://www.npr.org/2024/07/11/nx-s1-5036484/tampons-heavy-metals-study