Tampons : According to the results of this study, tampons have raised concerns as a possible source of exposure to chemicals, including metals, because the skin of the vagina has a greater ability to absorb chemicals compared to the skin of other parts of the body.
A new study has shown that tampons contain several metals, including arsenic and lead, and therefore emphasizes that manufacturers should be required to test and report the metals.
This study, which was published on July 3 in the journal Environment International, examined 30 tampons from 14 brands and found that the amount of metals such as arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, zinc and Some other metals in tampons are present in amounts that can be measured using laboratory tools and techniques.
Kathryn Schilling, one of the authors of the study, says: “Although toxic metals are everywhere and we are always exposed to small amounts of them, according to the results obtained these metals are present in menstrual products and women may be more exposed to the risks of consumption. These products should be placed.”
Increasing Public Concerns About Tampon Use
According to the results of this study, tampons have raised concerns as a possible source of exposure to chemicals, including metals, because the skin of the vagina has a greater ability to absorb chemicals compared to the skin of other parts of the body.
According to this research, 50 to 80 percent of people use from this during menstruation, and the mentioned metals, considering that the vagina has a very absorbent tissue, are absorbed in this way and thus enter the bloodstream and thus are transferred to other parts of the body. which can leave potentially harmful effects.
Jenny E. “Despite the high potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure the chemicals in tampons,” Shearston, lead author of the study, said in a statement. To our knowledge, this is the first study to measure metals in tampons. We worriedly checked the amount of metals in it, including toxic metals such as arsenic and lead.”
According to USA Today, more research is needed on the impact of these metals on health, as well as an evaluation of other chemicals in it.
According to research, it doesn’t matter if tampons are made from natural materials or not (organic or not), they all contain these metals. Researchers looked at tampons made from natural and non-natural (organic and inorganic) materials in the UK and the US and found that it didn’t matter where the tampons were made or how they were grouped because none contained less metal than the other.
How Did Metals Get Out Of Tampons?
According to the results of these studies, metals are placed on tampons in different ways. Its cotton material can absorb metals from the surrounding environment or nearby pollutants. Metals may also be added to it as a way to add pigment, bleach, or an antibacterial agent.
“I really hope that manufacturers are required to test their products for metals, especially toxic metals,” says Shearston. It will be very effective to make a public call for this issue and to request the installation of labels on menstrual products.”
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