Tampon Heavy Metal Scare: Experts Warn of Chronic Exposure Risks
In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the women's health community, numerous scientific studies conducted over recent years have uncovered deeply concerning ingredients within common period products. Researchers have detected the presence of heavy metals like arsenic, toxic pesticides at concentrations up to forty times higher than drinking water limits permit, and alarmingly high levels of persistent toxic chemicals known as PFAs in reusable menstrual items.
A Regulatory Vacuum in the UK Market
Perhaps most troubling is the current legislative landscape in the United Kingdom. Presently, there exists no specific legislation that compels manufacturers to disclose a full ingredient list or to actively prevent chemical residues from contaminating these intimate products. Helen Lynn, a senior consultant and research fellow at the Women's Environmental Network, provided a stark comparison to The Independent, noting that in certain instances, period products are subject to "less regulation than candles". This regulatory gap leaves millions of consumers in the dark about what they are routinely exposing their bodies to.
Understanding the Long-Term Health Implications
Leading gynaecological health experts have stepped forward to clarify the potential risks. Valentina Milanova, founder of the health company Daye, and Justyna Strzeszynska, CEO of the AI-powered period care platform Joii, emphasise that the primary concern is not acute poisoning but long-term, cumulative exposure.
"There is no evidence yet of anyone getting metal poisoning from a tampon," Justyna Strzeszynska explained. "But the conversation is decisively shifting toward chronic exposure and what happens when we use these products for thirty or forty years. That is precisely where we urgently need more comprehensive research."
Valentina Milanova elaborated on this critical point, stating: "The key issue is chronic, repeated exposure. Menstrual products are used internally, for hours at a time, month after month, for decades. Even low-level exposure matters profoundly when it's cumulative over a lifetime."
The experts detailed how certain heavy metals can act as endocrine disruptors at sufficient doses. Furthermore, pesticide residues and dioxins have been scientifically associated with immune system disruption, hormonal interference, and increased bodily inflammation. Added fragrances, a common feature in many products, are frequently identified as triggers for vulvovaginal irritation, contact dermatitis, and harmful microbiome imbalances.
Navigating the Market: How to Choose Safer Products
When it comes to selecting period products, both authorities concur that brands which voluntarily list all ingredients and publicly share their rigorous testing protocols represent a "huge green flag" for consumers. However, Valentina Milanova issued a strong caution against being misled by marketing.
"Be extremely wary of vague claims like 'natural' or 'non-toxic'," she advised. "Be vigilant against greenwashing. An organic certification alone does not guarantee safety if no contaminant testing has been conducted on the final product."
Justyna Strzeszynska encouraged consumers to simplify their choices by avoiding unnecessary "extras" such as fragrances, dyes, or special coatings that promise enhanced freshness. She offered a practical suggestion: "If you are worried about internal exposure, consider switching between tampons and external options like pads or period underwear throughout your cycle to reduce cumulative contact with any single product."
The Source of Contamination: An Unintended Consequence
Addressing why these substances appear, Justyna Strzeszynska clarified a crucial point for consumers: "It's important to understand these contaminants aren't usually 'added' by manufacturers on purpose. Instead, they often enter the supply chain naturally, as cotton plants can absorb metals from the soil or water during growth. Even organic cotton isn't a total shield, as it can still be cultivated in soil that contains natural elements like arsenic."
Currently, the decision to test for or disclose ingredients rests almost entirely at the discretion of individual manufacturers. Some companies, like Valentina Milanova's Daye, have chosen to exceed the industry's minimal standards.
"At Daye, we've been proactively testing our tampons for heavy metals and other contaminants since 2019, long before this topic entered the mainstream dialogue," she stated. "We do this not because regulation requires it, but because women fundamentally deserve to know what they're putting into one of the most absorbent and biologically sensitive areas of the body. Our complete testing protocols and full results are publicly available as part of our core commitment to radical transparency."
Is Regulatory Change Finally on the Horizon?
Despite alarming findings being reported for decades, Justyna Strzeszynska believes the "tide is finally turning" regarding the urgency of regulating period products. "In the United States, they are classified and treated as medical devices, but in the UK, they haven't faced the same level of mandatory ingredient disclosure," she noted.
"There is a massive and growing push at the moment for a Menstrual Act that would legally compel brands to be one hundred percent transparent about what is in their cotton and their entire manufacturing processing."
Valentina Milanova concurs that progress is being made, but describes the pace as "slow and frustratingly fragmented". She added: "In the UK and the EU, manufacturers must meet general product safety standards, yet there are no harmonised, specific requirements for mandatory contaminant testing or full transparency. Public pressure is clearly shifting the conversation, and that momentum matters immensely. However, we are not yet at a point where regulation consistently protects women across all markets. Until that day arrives, the responsibility rests largely with conscientious manufacturers who are willing to go far beyond the regulatory minimum."
