Menstruation is defined as the shedding of the uterine lining in females every month for 3 to 7 days, typically starting between the ages of 9 and 16. During menstruation, blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus are discharged through the vagina. This process is controlled by the rise and fall of different hormones, with estrogen and progesterone playing crucial roles. Menstruation indicates the absence of pregnancy. The menstrual cycle has four phases:
Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5)
Follicular Phase (Days 1-13)
Ovulation (Day 14)
Luteal Phase (Days 15-28)
Many different products are used during menstruation, including sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups, panty liners, menstrual discs, and period panties. Among these, sanitary pads and tampons are widely used all over the world, regardless of the type of flow. Approximately 70-80% of women in the US, Canada, and Europe use tampons.
There have been concerns about the presence of toxic metals in tampons, leading to the first study measuring toxic metals in tampons by a UC Berkeley researcher. Due to the higher absorption rate of vaginal skin compared to other parts of the body, metal poisoning can be very dangerous.
According to the research paper "Tampons as a Source of Exposure to Metal(loid)s," the concentration levels of 16 metals in 30 tampons from 14 brands and 18 product lines were evaluated and the results were compared.
About 0.2–0.3 grams from each tampon (n = 60 samples) were microwave-acid digested and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the concentrations of arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc. Concentrations were compared by several tampon characteristics (region of purchase, organic material, brand type) using median quantile mixed models.
Results
They found out that measurable concentrations of all 16 metals were assessed. Elevated mean concentrations of several toxic metals were detected, including lead (geometric mean [GM] = 120 ng/g), cadmium (GM = 6.74 ng/g), and arsenic (GM = 2.56 ng/g).
Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons, 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.
Jenni A. Shearston, Postdoctoral Scholar, UC Berkeley School of Public Health
Metal poisoning can cause dementia, infertility, diabetes, cancer, and many more severe complications like kidney and liver failure, and cardiovascular problems. Metals also affect the nervous and endocrine systems.
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.
Kathrin Schilling, Assistant Professor, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
Sixteen different metals were evaluated in this study, which included 30 tampons from 14 different brands. The metal concentrations showed variations depending on factors such as the country of purchase (US vs. EU/UK), organic vs. non-organic materials, and store-bought vs. branded products. Despite these differences, all tampons contained some level of metals. In non-organic tampons, lead concentrations were higher, while in organic tampons, arsenic levels were higher.
Metals can be mixed into tampons during the manufacturing process. For example, the cotton used in tampons can absorb metals from soil, air, and water, especially if the cotton field is near a lead smelter. Some metals can be added intentionally as adulterants, such as whiteners or for pigment purposes.
Currently, due to the limited number of studies on metal poisoning from tampons, the evidence regarding negative effects is not well proven. Future studies can show how much of these metals are absorbed from tampons into the skin and what other chemicals are also present.
Reference :
1. Proulx, E. (2024, July 12). First study to measure toxic metals in tampons shows arsenic and lead, among other contaminants. Berkeley Public Health. https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/news-media/research-highlights/first-study-to-measure-toxic-metals-in-tampons-shows-arsenic-and-lead https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/news-media/research-highlights/first-study-to-measure-toxic-metals-in-tampons-shows-arsenic-and-lead
2. Shearston, J. A., Upson, K., Gordon, M., Do, V., Balac, O., Nguyen, K., Yan, B., Kioumourtzoglou, M. A., & Schilling, K. (2024). Tampons as a source of exposure to metal(loid)s. Environment International, 190, 108849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.108849.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024004355
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)
