Heavy metals in tampons - German experts issue warning
Recently, a US study reveals that metals in tampons could be harmful to health. This news has alarmed users of this hygiene product, but experts from German institutions reassure: The study results are not a reason to stop using tampons.
In a US analysis, trace amounts of heavy metals such as Arsen, Cadmium, and Lead were detected in various tampon brands. The health consequences from using tampons are, according to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), not to be expected. The elements were only found in very small quantities.
Even if all the contained metal particles were absorbed through the mucous membrane - an unrealistic scenario - the exposure would reportedly be negligible, when compared to the background exposure from food, water, household dust, traffic, and industry.
No Reason to Abstain
"The study results are not a reason to abstain from using tampons," emphasizes toxicology expert Andrea Hartwig from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Elements like Lead and Arsen are present everywhere, a detection in consumer products or food is therefore not unusual. The detected amounts were even in the worst-case scenario of complete absorption only a few percent of the daily intake through food.
The team led by Jenni Shearston from Columbia University in New York investigated 30 tampons from 14 tampon brands - the number of inspected products was therefore very small. They specifically looked for Arsen, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, and Lead.
Every one of the 16 metals was detected in at least one tampon sample, as the team reports in the journal "Environment International". The concentrations varied significantly by region, material, and brand.
Below EU Guidelines for Textiles
In the EU, the amounts of Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, and Arsen in textile fabrics must not exceed one milligram per kilogram, as stated in the study. The tampons all fell below this limit. However, tampons come into contact with the vaginal mucous membrane, which might absorb more of these substances.
Calcium and Zinc, which were found in relatively high concentrations, are intentionally added - for fragrance control, as lubricants, and as antimicrobial agents. "Perhaps this explains why we found them in such high concentrations," explain the researchers.
It is concerning that toxic metals like Arsen and Lead are found in tampons, explains Shearston. However, the researchers themselves point out that it is unclear whether the metals are released from the tampons and whether they penetrate the vaginal epithelium into the bloodstream. It cannot be determined at this time whether the detected metals contribute to negative health effects.
Sources: Plants and Manufacturing Processes
The metals could originate from the cotton fabric due to soil contamination in plant growth, as explained by Shearston's team. Another source could be the manufacturing processes. The researchers consider it necessary for manufacturers to test tampons in the future for toxic metals.
Toxicologist Hartwig considers this demand reasonable: It should be mandatory for manufacturers of other consumer goods and hygiene products to control the heavy metal content of their products.
According to the BfR, the share of heavy metals should continue to be reduced responsibly through careful raw material selection and good manufacturing practices. The concentration of lead in particular should be as low as reasonably achievable.
A major entry point for heavy metals are the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. They are also absorbed through the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, for example through cigarette smoke. Chronic, long-term exposure to heavy metals can lead to health problems. Neurological damage can occur with lead and mercury, and cadmium can cause kidney and bone damage.
Heavy metals accumulate
Heavy metals are contained in rocks in the Earth's crust and can enter plants and other foodstuffs as a result of natural weathering processes. In addition, they enter the environment through certain industrial processes, automobile traffic, the discharge of sewage sludge, and the use of certain pesticides, as the Federal Institute for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) states.
Therefore, heavy metals accumulate in certain plants or organs of livestock. Higher cadmium concentrations are frequently found in poultry, mushrooms, and the internal organs of slaughtered animals, according to the BVL. Organically bound mercury predominantly occurs in fish and mussels.
In the past few decades, the overall contamination with metals has already decreased significantly, says KIT expert Hartwig. In the case of lead in particular, this is due to the ban on lead in gasoline. However, since there is no safe value for lead and arsenium, it is sensible to reduce the contamination in all areas as much as possible.
Despite the detection of trace amounts of heavy metals like Arsen and Lead in some tampon brands, these elements are present everywhere and a detection in consumer products is not unusual. The detected amounts were even in the worst-case scenario rarely surpassed a few percent of the daily intake through food.
Hygiene educators and health professionals agree that women should continue to prioritize good menstrual hygiene, which includes regular tampon use. According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), the amounts of Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, and Arsen in textile fabrics must not exceed one milligram per kilogram, and all tampons in question fell below this limit.
