toxic metals in tampons shows arsenic and lead

[cbabe]

https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/news-media/research-highlights/first-study-to-measure-toxic-metals-in-tampons-shows-arsenic-and-lead

First study to measure toxic metals in tampons shows arsenic and lead, among other contaminants

By Elise Proulx
3 min. read ▪ Published July 3

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.

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[FeelingBlue]

1. Can anyone comment on...

How the metals got into the absorbent material in the first place?

[cbabe]

2. Search tampons manufacturing toxic metals

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/why-are-there-toxic-metals-in-my-tampons/ar-BB1pPlSy

Why Are There Toxic Metals in My Tampons?
Story by Bindu Bansinath

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But how are heavy metals even finding their way into these products? “We don’t know exactly how they may have gotten into specific tampons without being able to trace back the whole train of resources and manufacturing processes,” Shearston says. Manufacturers sometimes introduce metals into tampons when adding anti-microbial, whitening, lubricating, and odor-reducing agents. But the cotton these manufacturers use might be contaminated before it even gets to the factories: Cotton plants can accumulate metals from contaminated soil, pesticides, and fertilizers, and are sometimes grown next to pollution sources like highways or lead smelters, according to Shearston.

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[58Sunliner]

3. Horrible. I wonder if this may help explain the incidence of immune disorders being higher for women?

And what about pads? I assume those could pose a lesser risk.

[cbabe]

4. Pads, liners, diapers, underwear

https://www.ewg.org › news-insights › news › study-elevated-levels-toxic-chemicals-found-menstrual-pads-and-disposable

Study: Elevated Levels of Toxic Chemicals Found in Menstrual Pads and ...

Many brands of menstrual pads and disposable diapers contain elevated levels of chemicals linked to developmental and

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https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com › doi › 10.1111 › 1471-0528.17668

Chemicals in menstrual products: A systematic review

Sep 24, 2023Chemicals were identified in all menstrual pads, panty liners and tampons. Levels of exposure varied

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https://www.gmu.edu › news › 2023-12 › endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-found-menstrual-products-including-tampons-pads-and

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in menstrual products including ...

Dec 15, 2023The average menstruator will use more than 11,000 tampons or sanitary pads in their lifetime. Vaginal an

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(Search menstrual products chemicals.

Lesser risk would depend on use, person’s immune response, other environmental factors, etc. Probably not a lot of research. Try search for symptoms causes toxins, maybe.)