Levels of 16 different metal(oid)s in tampons were assessed, including arsenic and cadmium; several toxic metals were detected, including lead.
In the study, published in Environment International, researchers evaluated 30 tampons from 14 brands and 18 product lines. Each tampon sample, weighing between 0.2 and 0.3 grams, underwent microwave-acid digestion and was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine the presence of arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and/or zinc. The researchers used median quantile mixed models to compare concentrations by tampon characteristics.
The study results revealed measurable concentrations of all 16 assessed metals. The geometric mean (GM) concentration was 120 ng/g for lead, 6.7 ng/g for cadmium, and 2.5 ng/g for arsenic. Zinc had the highest found concentration, with a GM of 52,000 ng/g.
Metal concentrations varied depending on organic status and brand type. Nonorganic tampons exhibited higher lead concentrations, whereas organic tampons had higher arsenic levels. Store-brand tampons contained higher concentrations of copper (GM = 81.2 ng/g), nickel (GM = 50.1 ng/g), and selenium (GM = 454.3 ng/g) compared to name-brand tampons, which had lower zinc concentrations (GM = −21,721.58 ng/g).
Researchers also observed significant differences in metal concentrations between tampons purchased in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) and those purchased in the United States. Specifically, cadmium (effect estimate: −8.17 ng/g [95% CI: −12.78, −3.56]), cobalt (−17.22 ng/g [95% CI: −25.76, −8.68]), and lead (−133.14 ng/g [95% CI: −177.35, −88.94]) concentrations were lower in tampons purchased in the EU/UK compared to those purchased in the U.S.
Significant differences in metal concentrations were also detected between store-brand and name-brand tampons, with store-brand tampons containing higher concentrations of copper (effect estimate = 81.26 ng/g, 95% CI: 45.6, 116), nickel (effect estimate = 50.10 ng/g, 95% CI: 63.9, 106), and selenium (effect estimate = 454.39 ng/g, 95% CI: 8.69, 56.5).
Lead was found in all tested tampons. “There is no safe exposure level to [lead]; any proportion of [lead] that may leach out of a tampon and reach systemic circulation might contribute to negative health outcomes,” noted researchers.
They also noted lead may be retained in the body for decades and is associated with numerous adverse effects including neurological, renal, cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, reproductive, and developmental issues.
“It is critical that future studies evaluate the potential for metal leaching from tampons and uptake into the body, " the authors concluded.
This research was supported by NIEHS, NHLBI, and NINR of NIH, with disclosures declared by the authors.
