Toxic Metals Found in Tampons

New research just came out and it's something you want to know about and share with all the women in your life.

But also may have you wondering - gosh - what more? 

Because sometimes it feels like everything around us has some impact on our health...

but my hope is that knowing the research helps you feel empowered and helps you know actions you can take for your health!  

And to help you - I'll be sharing some tips at the end!

Let's get started...

What did the research find?

Several toxic metals like lead, cadmium and arsenic were found in 100% of the tampons tested in a new published study.

All 30 tampons tested from 14 tampon brands (including organic ones) had some heavy metals, with organic tampons higher in arsenic while non organic tampons had higher lead concentrations.

 How do these heavy metals get into the tampons in the first place?

There are a few ways that this may be occurring including from how the cotton plants are grown to what happens when tampons are made.

Cotton plants may readily take up metals from: 

• soil
• water
• metal-containing pesticides and fertilizers

Metals may be added during production for: 

• product whitening
• antimicrobial purposes
• odor reduction
• lubrication
• colouring of applicators

Why should we care?

There are multiple concerns especially when an estimated 52-86% of women in the US use tampons (Canada statistics are most likely similar)!

Plus...

• the average age when girls start periods is 12 and ends around 51. That's an average of ~40 years with potential exposures from tampons
• as many as >7400 tampons may be used by a woman during these years
• tampons are left in the vagina for hours (increasing long term exposure)
• the vaginal lining is very good at absorbing (making it easier for heavy metals to be absorbed here)
• things absorbed in the vagina don’t go to the liver (where it could help filter things out) instead it can be absorbed directly to the tissues and bloodstream

What can this exposure to heavy metals do?

As an example:

Lead: linked to neurological, kidney, heart, blood, immune, reproductive, developmental, etc. impacts, no amount of lead is considered safe

Arsenic: linked to heart, skin, lung, neurological, etc. impacts 

Many heavy metals are considered potentially cancer causing agents.

The issue with this, as with other potentially harmful environmental exposures, is related to long term constant exposures.  Especially because exposures for heavy metals could be coming from many sources, not just tampons.

Unfortunately - this is not the first time tampons were found to have some form of toxic compounds in them. 

In past research, a range of chemicals were detected in tampons, including dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), fragrances, phthalates, parabens, bisphenols, triclocarban, glyphosate, flame retardants, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can also impact your health in negative ways! 

These have been linked with hormone disruption, immune impact, fertility, increased risk for certain cancers, and more.

This makes cutting down possible exposures, when possible, really important.  

Here are a few tips to help reduce possible exposures:

• If needed, use tampons for the shortest time possible 
• Buy fragrance-free sanitary items
• Avoid tampons with polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene or other plastic materials
• Opt for pads instead of tampons when possible (ie cotton and organic when possible)
• Use Menstrual cups free from BPA and phthalates: ie. silicone ie. Blossom, Diva, Dutchess, Lena, etc.)
• Use Period underwear: brands like Period, Modibodi, Bambody, Luna, Wuka, etc.  Some Knix and Thinx branded products have rated poorly in some tests so are not added here as a recommendation for that reason. For more on this check out two Environmental Working Group recommendations for sources on period underwear info including Better Goods (an environmental watchdog site for cosmetic and personal care products) and Mammavation.

As a cancer survivor, woman and someone who is passionate about woman's health and cancer prevention hearing this type of news is always disappointing! 

But I appreciate that while there needs to be more research done to understand the full impact, being informed can always help us make necessary changes for our health!

Hope this helps and empowers you,

Dr. Becky ND

P.S. to find low tox products that help you decrease your toxic exposures, check out my Thriver Product Picks Amazon page. This page will be constantly changing so make sure to check it out regularly!  Please note: as an Amazon Associate I earn commissions from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This page was created with the purpose to serve as a resource so please feel free to purchase items anywhere you find convenient!

P.P.S. the Femme Thrive Method program was built to help you if you're finished cancer treatments and looking for your recovery and prevention plan (including ways to help decrease toxic exposures!). Book your Discovery Call HERE to see how you can get started.

Sources:

1. Shearston JA, Upson K, Gordon M, Do V, Balac O, Nguyen K, Yan B, Kioumourtzoglou MA, Schilling K. Tampons as a source of exposure to metal(loid)s. Environ Int. 2024 Jun 22;190:108849. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108849. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38963987.

2. Upson K, Shearston JA, Kioumourtzoglou MA. Menstrual Products as a Source of Environmental Chemical Exposure: A Review from the Epidemiologic Perspective. Curr Environ Health Rep. 2022 Mar;9(1):38-52. doi: 10.1007/s40572-022-00331-1. Epub 2022 Mar 17. PMID: 35302185; PMCID: PMC9876534.

3. Environmental Working Group. https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2022/06/tampon-shortage-beware-forever-chemicals-backup-options. Accessed July 10 2024.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Toxic Substances Portal. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=93&toxid=22#:~:text=The%20International%20Agency%20for%20Research,will%20cause%20cancer%20in%20humans. Accessed July 12 2024.