• Metals from manufacturing or agricultural activities may be present in tampons; if absorbed by the vaginal tissue, this could result in systemic exposure.

• A study was recently conducted and published in the Environment International Journal to Assess the concentrations of 16 metal(loid)s in 30 tampons from 14 brands and 18 product lines and compare metal concentrations based on tampon characteristics.

• For this, 0.2-0.3 g from each tampon (60 samples) were microwave-acid digested, and Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure concentrations of arsenic, barium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, lead, selenium, strontium, zinc, etc.

• As a result, elevated mean concentrations of lead (GM = 120 ng/g), cadmium (GM = 6.74 ng/g), and arsenic (GM = 2.56 ng/g) were found. 

• All 16 metals were found in the tampons.

• This study has proved that Tampon use is a potential source of metal exposure. 

• Therefore, further studies are needed to replicate findings and investigate if metals leach from tampons into the systemic circulation.

• The study underscores the potential public health risk of metal exposure from tampon use, highlighting the need for further investigation into metal leaching and systemic absorption to ensure menstrual product safety.

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