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What to know about heavy metals in tampons

A  used very high heat and acid to leach heavy metals from tampons. Researchers were testing to see if the tampons contained 16 heavy metals, including arsenic, copper, lead and iron.

The tampons they tested came from several different locations and brands. Some were organic, and some weren¡¯t. Ultimately, each of the 60 samples contained heavy metals, with 12 of the heavy metals found in every tampon.

It's hard to know exactly how the heavy metals ended up in the tampons. It's possible that the plant used to make tampons absorbed heavy metals from the soil or from chemicals or pesticides. It¡¯s also possible the heavy metals got into the tampons during processing.

The study also found that organic tampons weren't necessarily safer than non-organic tampons when it comes to heavy metals exposure. It's possible that fewer other chemicals and pesticides are used to grow the cotton for organic tampons, but we don¡¯t know this for sure. Whether or not it makes a difference in terms of any short-term or long-term harm is another question.

These findings lead to new questions as to how this may impact humans. It¡¯s hard to say whether the heavy metals will be able to leach out from the tampon under the body¡¯s normal conditions, which don¡¯t include high heat and using certain acids. It's unclear whether it would be harmful for patients. However, it's important for patients to be aware of this potential exposure so they can make informed decisions about the products they use.

If these metals can be leached out from tampons into the body, we also need to consider their dosage. In our daily lives, we get exposed to so many chemicals, even in the food we eat. For example, apple juice and apples even have trace amounts of arsenic, which is harmful for people. However, at very small concentrations, it doesn't necessarily pose a short-term or long-term health risk. Right now, we don't know whether this exposure in tampons is significant or not.

What to know about PFAS

In addition to heavy metals, some tampons contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The use of PFAS ¡ª sometimes called ¡°forever chemicals¡± due to how long they last ¡ª isn't only limited to tampons, however. There are thousands of these types of chemicals used in many types of products; they can even be found in tap water. The popularity of PFAS makes it difficult to know exactly how they impact health; however, some studies have reported they may be harmful to humans and animals, according to the .

As with heavy metals, there are still a lot of unknowns surrounding PFAS. Research into the exact ways they impact health and cancer risk is ongoing.

To learn more about the ingredients in your tampons, check the product packaging or visit the manufacturer's website.

Tips for using tampons safely

Whatever type of tampon you choose, here are some general tips for using them safely. Follow these tips to help prevent infection.

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands before and after inserting a tampon.
• Change your tampon every 4 to 6 hours.
• Only use tampons while you are on your period.
• Cancer patients with low white blood cell counts should consider avoiding tampons to reduce the risk of infection.

Use the menstrual product that¡¯s most convenient for you

Until there is more definitive research on this subject, people may have questions about if it¡¯s OK to keep using tampons and what type of tampons to choose.

My advice is to choose the product that¡¯s most convenient. For some, that may mean continuing to use tampons. For others, that might mean choosing another type of menstrual product.

Some alternatives to tampons include:

• Pads
• Period underwear
• Menstrual cups

While less traditional products like menstrual sponges are also available, they aren¡¯t something I recommend. These products haven't been studied or regulated as much as other menstrual products, so they may not eliminate any exposure to heavy metals.

Looking to find more information on the topic as research evolves? Reputable online sources like the  post product guidance and health safety warnings.

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