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Writer's pictureHealthHope Initiative

Toxic Metals and “Forever Chemicals” in Menstrual Products

Writers: Umme Rubab and Arisha Siddiqui


INTRO

The safety of menstrual products is currently being questioned because of the presence of toxic chemicals and metals found in them. With these rising concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the testing of these substances found in tampons. Since this affects such a large portion of the female population who menstruate, it has become a crucial concern for public health and safety, even though the exact dangers of these substances are currently unknown. While these findings raise many concerns, it is important to raise awareness about such toxic chemicals in these products and urge potential regulations and legislative action aimed to protect consumers.


CURRENT RESEARCH

After the announcement, the FDA later released a study in regards to the issue which found alarming amounts of arsenic and lead in tampons. It tested 30 from 14 different brands across the U.S., U.K., and Greece. The study further found that every tampon tested had some amount of toxins in it, with 16 different metals, "arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc" in various concentrations (Proulx). Even organic tampons, which women buy to avoid such chemicals, had significantly higher levels of arsenic compared to non-organic ones. There are many speculations that these metals might enter the products through the soil or cotton during harvest or manufacturing.

These toxic metals result in various significant health impacts. Vaginal and vulvar tissue is “highly permeable,". This means these chemicals are highly absorbent and can go into our body without going through the bloodstream or liver in order to remove toxins (Kiomourtzoglou). PFAS, a group of toxic chemicals found in menstrual products, have also been associated with serious health issues including “cancer, immune system suppression, increased cholesterol levels, pregnancy-induced hypertension, liver damage, reduced fertility, and increased risk of thyroid disease” (Doll, et. al). These dangers raise concerns about the potential long-term health effects associated with regular exposure to these metals through frequent use of these products.


INVESTIGATION CONSEQUENCES

The investigation was essentially done by the FDA due to the public pressure for transparency and safety in these menstrual products by consumers. Although not in immediate action, the potential outcomes for manufacturers could result in stricter regulations and better testing protocols for safety. However, it could be a good idea to reformulate pads and tampons altogether. This way, customers would be able to have better insight into what is in the products they pay for and use each month.


LEGISLATIVE ACTION

Rising concerns about the safety of menstruating women have motivated several state governments to take action. Vermont has made a significant stride in public health by enacting the first-ever ban on 17 different harmful chemicals found in menstrual products including phthalates, formaldehyde, mercury, and lead. Similarly, Minnesota, Maine, and Colorado have “banned the [entirety] of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’” (Doll, et. al). These landmark legislations not only address the immediate risks posed by these toxic chemicals but also set a crucial precedent for other states to follow, indicating a positive outlook for improved safety and health in the future. Greater awareness and advocacy for change would help strengthen this precedent.


“FOREVER CHEMICALS”

In addition to these toxic metals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals found in menstrual products. PFAS result in lasting harm to the environment as they “can take years or even centuries to degrade,” earning them the nickname “forever chemicals” (Redd). PFAS are commonly used in various consumer products for their waterproof, leakproof, and stain-resistant properties. However, the presence of PFAS in menstrual products raises concerns about personal health and safety. These chemicals are so widely used that “3M knew in the 1970s” how damaging they were to our environment (Doll, et. al). Despite all this information on PFAS, these chemicals were found to be toxic during a lawsuit against Thinx, a feminine hygiene company, where the claim that “its menstrual underwear [is] ‘free of chemicals’” was exposed by lab testing as “misleading” or false. Raising awareness about these toxic chemicals is essential to advocate for change to protect both consumers and the environment.


CONCLUSION

The newly found research for toxic metals and chemicals in these menstrual products has pointed out a critical health issue to attention. The rising awareness of toxic metals and “forever chemicals” in menstrual products is essential for pressing public health concerns affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Legislative action in various U.S. states and FDA investigative findings are pivotal steps toward safeguarding consumer health and the environment. It is important that more states take action to regulate these harmful chemicals found in these products as it builds a safer future by setting important precedents.


WORKS CONSULTED

Doll, Sarah. Gallagher, Marcie. Hierl, Lauren. “First-ever ban on multiple toxic

chemicals in menstrual products signed by Vermont Governor.” Safer States, 30 May. 2024, www.saferstates.org/press-room/first-ever-ban-on-multiple-toxic-chemicals-in-menstrual-products-signed-by-vermont-governor/

Kiomourtzoglou, Marianthi-Anna. Marroquin, Joanna. Pollack, Anna. Scantron,

Alexandra. “Chemicals in menstrual products: A systematic review.” An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 24 Sept. 2023, obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.17668

Mundel, Ernie. “FDA to Investigate Safety of Toxic Metals in Tampons.” U.S. News, 11

Sept. 2024, www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-09-11/fda-to-investigate-safety-of-toxic-metals-in-tampons

Proulx, Elise. “First study to measure toxic metals in tampons shows arsenic and

lead, among other contaminants.” Berkeley Public Health, 3 Jul. 2024, publichealth.berkeley.edu/news-media/research-highlights/first-study-to-measure-toxic-metals-in-tampons-shows-arsenic-and-lead#:~:text=among%20other%20contaminants-,First%20study%20to%20measure%20toxic%20metals%20in%20tampons,and%20lead%2C%20among%20other%20contaminants&text=Tampons%20from%20several%20brands%20that,UC%20Berkeley%20researcher%20has%20found.

Redd, Nancy. “We Had 44 Period and Incontinence Products Tested for Forever

Chemicals. Many Were Contaminated.” New York Times, 10 Aug. 2023, www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/forever-chemicals-in-period-incontinence-products/

“Toxins in tampons suggest need for FDA testing, says expert.” Harvard School of

Public Health, 23 Jul. 2024, www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/toxins-in-tampons-suggest-need-for-fda-testing-says-expert/


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