The FDA Launches Research Project to Examine Toxic Metals in Tampons
Helena Oliviero | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)
The Food and Drug Administration has initiated a research project to investigate the potential effects of toxic metals in tampons, raising concerns about the safety of products used by millions of women in the U.S.
A recent study discovered the presence of various metals, such as mercury, arsenic, and lead, in over a dozen brands of tampons.
The FDA stated that this study will help in gaining a better understanding of the potential impact of these metals and whether they pose harm to women. Given that up to 80% of menstruating girls and women use tampons for extended periods throughout their lives, comprehending this issue is crucial.
While a recent study led by a UC Berkeley researcher and published in July found metals in certain tampons, it did not investigate whether these metals are released from tampons during use. Consequently, the FDA has commissioned an independent literature review and initiated an internal laboratory study to assess the presence of metals in tampons.
One of the primary concerns is determining the extent to which these metals leach out of tampons and are absorbed by the body.
The study, published in the journal Environment International, evaluated the levels of 16 metals in tampons, including arsenic, calcium, chromium, copper, mercury, lead, and zinc. The tested tampons included organic and non-organic varieties from various brands sold in the U.S. and Europe.
Researchers emphasized the need for further investigation to fully comprehend the potential risks associated with these metals.
Lead author Jenni A. Shearston, a postdoctoral scholar at UC Berkeley, mentioned that their research might be the first to measure metals in tampons.
After the release of the study, Dr. Cherie Hill, a gynecologist and obstetrician at Emory Healthcare, expressed surprise that such findings had not been explored earlier.
While Hill doesn’t recommend discarding all tampons, she acknowledged the alarming findings of the study that could prompt some women to reconsider their tampon use. She highlighted the critical necessity for more research to understand the potential health impact.
Concerns about tampons are not new, with historical associations between super-absorbent tampons and toxic shock syndrome dating back to 1980.
The FDA did not provide a timeline for the release of its findings.
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