FDA to analysis; examine’s co-author weighs in
The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration introduced it might examine heavy metals in tampons after a 2024 examine discovered that tampons contained arsenic and lead.
“The FDA is conscious of issues about tampon security after a 2024 examine discovered metals in tampons throughout laboratory testing,” said the FDA’s announcement, which was revealed final week. “We wish the general public to know that earlier than tampons could be legally offered within the U.S., they need to meet FDA necessities for security and effectiveness.”
The FDA will check if the metals are being launched from the tampon and absorbed into the vaginal lining and infiltrating the bloodstream whereas it’s getting used.
“Our examine solely confirmed what’s current in tampons, however not whether or not or not these metals are impacting our well being from tampon use,” Jenni Shearston, a co-author of the unique examine and a post-doctoral scholar on the College of California Berkley, informed USA TODAY.
Shearston, who has her PhD in Environmental Well being Sciences, is worked up to see the FDA testing if the metals would leach into individuals’s our bodies.
“I am actually glad that they are doing that and looking out extra into potential well being problems which may come about from the presence of those metals in tampons,” she stated.
The lab Shearston works in can also be conducting analysis on if the physique absorbs the metals. It’s “presently wrapping up” the experiments and can be sending the outcomes to be peer-reviewed.
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What did the examine discover?
The examine, which was revealed by Setting Worldwide on July 3, analyzed 30 tampons from 14 tampon manufacturers and located that they had measurable concentrations of the next metals:
- Arsenic
- Barium
- Calcium
- Cadmium
- Cobalt
- Chromium
- Copper
- Iron
- Manganese
- Mercury
- Nickel
- Lead
- Selenium
- Strontium
- Vanadium
- Zinc
Between 50% to 80% of people that menstruate use tampons, however the metals listed above “might be absorbed by the vagina’s extremely absorptive tissue, leading to systemic publicity,” based on the examine.
Some metals aren’t a priority
Metals like zinc, which was essentially the most prevalent, and calcium aren’t a priority for Shearston as a result of they’re each important components, which is “any chemical component required by an organism for wholesome progress,” based on Dictionary.com.
What involved her most, nonetheless, is the truth that the examine detected lead within the menstrual product as a result of “there isn’t any secure degree of publicity to that,” she stated.
“Though poisonous metals are ubiquitous and we’re uncovered to low ranges at any given time, our examine clearly exhibits that metals are additionally current in menstrual merchandise and that girls is perhaps at larger threat for publicity utilizing these merchandise,” stated examine co-author Kathrin Schilling.
Pads vs. Tampons: Potential for leaching
Shearston has not achieved an identical examine for pads and stated she and the opposite researchers at her lab are extra targeted on researching tampons.
They believe the metallic is extra more likely to leach out into the physique whereas utilizing tampons than it’s whereas utilizing a pad as a result of tampons are inserted vaginally.
“The vagina has loads of blood vessels,” she stated. “It is permeable so substances can cross over it, and so we predict it is extra of a regarding publicity route.”
Nonetheless, an individual’s vulva, the skin of the vagina which touches the pad, can also be permeable and does have the potential to soak up any metals or chemical substances discovered within the sanitary product.
“I believe it is positively one thing that must be studied as nicely,” stated Shearston. “However the principle concern proper now could be tampons as a result of they’re inserted into your physique, and it is such a delicate space.”
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You may join along with her on LinkedIn, comply with her on X, previously Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or electronic mail her at jgomez@gannett.com
