Study Finds Lead, Arsenic and Toxic Metals in Tampons
Author: University of California - Berkeley
Published: 3 Jul 2024 - Updated: 28 Sep 2026
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed | Research, Study, Analysis
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This research, a peer-reviewed study led by UC Berkeley postdoctoral scholar Jenni A. Shearston with co-author Kathrin Schilling of Columbia University, tested 30 tampons from 14 brands for 16 metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium. Every metal tested for turned up in the samples. Levels varied by where the tampons were bought (US versus EU and UK), by organic versus non-organic, and by store brand versus name brand, but no category had consistently lower levels of all or most metals. That finding matters because 50 to 80 percent of people who menstruate use tampons, often for hours at a time each month, and vaginal tissue absorbs chemicals more readily than skin elsewhere on the body. Metals have been linked to dementia, infertility, diabetes, cancer and damage to the liver, kidneys, brain and nervous system, along with harm to maternal health and fetal development. The study gives consumers, clinicians and regulators a concrete starting point, and it is especially relevant to women with chronic illness, kidney disease or other disabilities, whose bodies may be less able to clear toxic metals.*
At a Glance
- 1 - Lead levels were higher in non-organic tampons, while arsenic levels were higher in organic tampons.
- 2 - Researchers believe this is the first published paper to measure metal levels in tampons. Very little research has examined chemicals in these products.
- 3 - Some metals may be added during manufacturing as part of a pigment, whitener or antibacterial agent. Others may come from water, air or soil absorbed by cotton.
- 4 - The lead author hopes manufacturers will be required to test products for toxic metals. She also encourages the public to push for better labeling on menstrual products.
Topic Definition
- Heavy Metal Exposure
Heavy metal exposure refers to contact with metallic elements such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury that are toxic to the human body even at low levels. These metals can enter the body through food, water, air, soil, consumer products and absorption through skin or mucous membranes. Because the body clears many of them slowly, they can build up in organs and tissues over time. Long-term exposure has been linked to kidney and liver damage, nervous system problems, heart disease, hormone disruption, reduced fertility, developmental harm in children and several types of cancer. Risk depends on the type of metal, the amount, how long exposure lasts and the route by which it enters the body.
Overview
Study Reveals Presence of Arsenic, Lead, and Other Toxic Metals in Tampons
Tampons from several brands that potentially millions of people use each month can contain toxic metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium, a new study led by a UC Berkeley researcher has found.
Tampons are of particular concern as a potential source of exposure to chemicals, including metals, because the skin of the vagina has a higher potential for chemical absorption than skin elsewhere on the body. In addition, the products are used by a large percentage of the population on a monthly basis-50-80% of those who menstruate use tampons-for several hours at a time.
"Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons," said lead author Jenni A. Shearston, a postdoctoral scholar at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and UC Berkeley's Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management. "To our knowledge, this is the first paper to measure metals in tampons. Concerningly, we found concentrations of all metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead."
Metals have been found to increase the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes, and cancer. They can damage the liver, kidneys, and brain, as well as the cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems. In addition, metals can harm maternal health and fetal development.
"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," said study co-author Kathrin Schilling, assistant professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
Researchers evaluated levels of 16 metals (arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc) in 30 tampons from 14 different brands. The metal concentrations varied by where the tampons were purchased (US vs. EU/UK), organic vs. non-organic, and store- vs. name-brand. However, they found that metals were present in all types of tampons; no category had consistently lower concentrations of all or most metals. Lead concentrations were higher in non-organic tampons but arsenic was higher in organic tampons.
Metals could make their way into tampons a number of ways: The cotton material could have absorbed the metals from water, air, soil, through a nearby contaminant (for example, if a cotton field was near a lead smelter), or some might be added intentionally during manufacturing as part of a pigment, whitener, antibacterial agent, or some other process in the factory producing the products.
"I really hope that manufacturers are required to test their products for metals, especially for toxic metals," said Shearston. "It would be exciting to see the public call for this, or to ask for better labeling on tampons and other menstrual products."
For the moment, it's unclear if the metals detected by this study are contributing to any negative health effects. Future research will test how much of these metals can leach out of the tampons and be absorbed by the body; as well as measuring the presence of other chemicals in tampons.
Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)
Can toxic metals be absorbed through the vaginal wall?
Yes, vaginal tissue is a mucous membrane with a rich blood supply, which allows many substances to pass into the bloodstream more easily than through ordinary skin.
Are menstrual cups or period underwear safer than tampons?
Medical-grade silicone menstrual cups are generally considered low in chemical risk, but period underwear and pads can also contain chemicals, so independent testing and clear labeling matter for every product type.
Does the FDA regulate tampons in the United States?
Yes, the FDA classifies tampons as medical devices and reviews them for safety and absorbency, but there has been no federal requirement to test tampons for heavy metals.
What are common symptoms of lead or arsenic poisoning?
Symptoms can include fatigue, headaches, stomach pain, memory problems, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, and skin changes, though low-level exposure often causes no obvious symptoms at first.
How can I get tested for heavy metals in my body?
A doctor can order blood, urine or sometimes hair tests to check for heavy metals, and the right test depends on which metal is suspected and how recent the exposure was.
Should I stop using tampons because of this study?
The study did not show that tampons cause health problems, so decisions should be based on personal risk factors and a conversation with a health care provider about available options.
Who is most vulnerable to harm from heavy metals?
Pregnant people, developing babies, young children, older adults and people with kidney disease, liver disease or weakened immune systems are generally at greater risk from heavy metal exposure.
How long should a tampon be worn to reduce health risks?
Health agencies advise changing tampons every 4 to 8 hours and using the lowest absorbency needed, which also lowers the risk of toxic shock syndrome.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Finding a metal in a product is not the same as proving it causes harm, and the researchers are careful to say that. It is not yet clear whether the amounts they detected lead to health problems. The key open question is how much of these metals can actually leach out of a tampon and enter the bloodstream, and that is what the team plans to test next, along with screening for other chemicals. Still, the study fills a real gap. A product used by tens of millions of people every month has had almost no independent chemical testing, and buying organic or name brand does not appear to be a reliable way to avoid exposure. Until follow-up research and possible testing rules arrive, the practical takeaway is to follow the study's call for better labeling and to talk with a health care provider about menstrual product options. That is especially important for anyone managing a condition that affects the kidneys, liver or immune system.*
Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by University of California - Berkeley and published on 3 Jul 2024, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.
* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.