Researchers find traces of toxic metals in tampons

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Tampons are the most popular menstrual hygiene product on the market–but a recent study found traces of arsenic, lead and other toxic metals in them.

Researchers including Kristen Upson , an assistant professor at Michigan State University, detected more than a dozen metals in several different kinds of tampons sold across the United States and Europe.

This is, of course, raising concerns for millions of people who use the product every month.

Though researchers have not disclosed which brands demonstrated the presence of metals, Upson said the researchers had intentionally selected the brands that are commonly purchased in the United States.

“Tampon use is common in the United States,” Upson said. “Between 52% and 86% of menstruators use tampons, and they are used in the vagina, which can very efficiently absorb chemicals.”

That being said–some experts are saying there’s no need to panic.

“There’s nothing in the study that should raise people’s concern, because the amounts are very, very low,” said MSU toxicology professor Norbert Kaminski , highlighting the limitations of the study. “The headlines that people are seeing are actually very misleading.”

Kaminski said the amounts of the metals were miniscule, and so do not pose a health concern.

Upson raised another point. “But we have to remember, using lead as an example, there’s no safe exposure to lead,” Upson said. “What we need to do next is research to understand whether those who use tampons are exposed to metals.”

In the mean time, people may be looking for alternative menstrual hygiene products.

“There’s menstrual cups and discs, and those can be inserted similar to a tampon,” said Lysne Tait, Executive Director of the local organization Helping Women Period .

Tait said cups, discs and period underwear are safe, along with being environmentally friendly.

Anyone who has questions about alternative menstrual products can visit the organization’s website , Tait said.

Researchers, meanwhile, are still unsure how the metals got into the tampons in the first place. The metals may have existed in the raw materials use to make the tampons, or they could have been contaminated during manufacturing.

Upson said this is just the beginning of the research–not only with tampons, but with other products that many people use every day.

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