Toxic Metal in Tampons Risks Brain's Cognitive Function, Scientists Warn

Scientists have issued a warning after finding toxic heavy metals in dozens of mainstream tampon products. In particular, lead was detected in all products tested, raising concerns about the impacts of this exposure on women's health.

Tampons are used by between 52 to 86 percent of menstruators in the U.S., with the average woman using thousands of tampons throughout their reproductive years. Not only that, but tampons spend long periods of time in contact with the delicate skin of the vagina, which is more absorptive than other tissues in the body. As a result, any contaminants in the tampons have a higher chance of entering our bloodstream.

"Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons," Jenni Shearston, a postdoctoral scholar at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and UC Berkeley's Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, who led the study, said in a statement.

In their study, published in the journal Environment International, Shearston and colleagues from Berkeley and Columbia University evaluated the levels of 16 heavy metals in 30 tampons from 14 different brands. They included tampons with different absorbencies, as well as organic vs, non-organic, EU/U.K. vs. U.S., and whether it included a plastic applicator.

In total, heavy metals were found across all tampon types and brands, including detectable levels of lead.

"There is no safe exposure level to lead," the researchers wrote. "Any proportion of lead that may leach out of a tampon and reach systemic circulation might contribute to negative health outcomes."

Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal that can replace the calcium in our bones and teeth and can be stored in our body for decades after the initial exposure. Over time, this heavy metal can accumulate and may be released back into our blood.

The metal has been associated with a range of neurological and cardiovascular conditions, as well as problems with our kidneys, our blood, our immune system and our reproductive health.

"Of particular note, even low-level exposure to lead can result in neurobehavioral impacts in adults and children, including decreased cognitive function such as impaired attention, memory, and learning ability," the researchers wrote.

Children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure, as are unborn fetuses, which might be exposed to lead that is rereleased from the mother's bones into her blood during pregnancy.

Of all the tampons included in the study, the highest levels of lead were found in non-organic tampons, those with plastic applicators, and those with higher absorbencies.

"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 might be at higher risk for exposure using these products," study co-author Kathrin Schilling, assistant professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, said in a statement.

Exactly how these metals enter the tampons is unclear, but the researchers have suggested it could occur at several stages of the manufacturing cycle: metals may be accidentally absorbed by cotton through water, air and soil or they may be intentionally added through pigmentation and whitening.

It is also unclear how much (if any) of the lead and other heavy metals in these tampons is able to be absorbed into the body, warranting further investigation.

"I really hope that manufacturers are required to test their products for metals, especially for toxic metals. It would be exciting to see the public call for this, or to ask for better labeling on tampons and other menstrual products," Schilling said.

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