Nightmare News found that tampons contain arsenic and lead

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In terms of health and exposure, tampons are of particular concern because, according to Futurity, the skin of the vagina has a higher potential to absorb chemicals than skin on other parts of the body.

Despite all this, researchers say tampons are still woefully under-researched. A new study has even found that millions of tampons contain toxic substances such as arsenic and lead.

Lead author Jenni A. Shearston, a postdoctoral fellow at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, said: “Despite this great potential for health concern, very little research has been done to measure the chemicals in tampons.

“To our knowledge, this is the first study to measure metals in tampons. Worryingly, we found concentrations of all the metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead.”

This is of course worrying, but the health consequences are far more frightening.

Berkeley Public Health stated: “Metals have been found to increase the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes and cancer.

“They can damage the liver, kidneys and brain, as well as the cardiovascular, nervous and hormonal systems. In addition, metals can affect the health of the mother and the development of the fetus.”

Co-author Kathrin Schilling, assistant professor at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, said: “Although toxic metals are ubiquitous and we are exposed to small amounts of them at all times, our study clearly shows that metals are also present in menstrual products and that women may be at higher risk of exposure when using these products.”

We don't currently know if these metals have any negative health effects, but researchers have stated that further studies will be conducted to determine how much of these metals can leach out of the tampons and be absorbed into the body, as well as measuring other chemicals.

Shearston said: “I really hope that manufacturers will be required to test their products for metals, especially toxic metals.

“It would be exciting if the public would demand this or demand better labeling of tampons and other menstrual products.”

Yes, actually.

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