FDA investigating toxic metals found in tampons

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Health officials at the Food and Drug Administration are launching an investigation into toxic metals found in tampons and what risk they may pose to women who use them.

Concerns were sparked after a study by researchers with the UC Berkeley School of Public Health found toxic metals like lead and arsenic in several different tampon brands. Jenni Shearston was the lead author of the study.

“It’s not reason to throw away your tampons just yet, but it is reason to be concerned. To pause, to ask questions,” Shearston said.

She notes exposure to toxic metals is linked to dangerous health impacts. However, she says their research didn’t look into how the toxins are linked to health risks.

“Right now, we don’t know if the metals we found can come out of the tampons or if they could be absorbed by the body. So, we don’t know if they could or could not be contributing to any sorts of health effects,” Shearston said.

The toxic tampon study caught the attention of lawmakers in the Democratic Women’s Caucus, who called on the Food and Drug Administration to investigate. Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) was one of the women sounding the alarm.

“We want to make sure that the FDA and our government is doing everything it can to protect people who are using tampons,” Meng said.

Now the FDA says it will do a risk assessment to evaluate whether tampon users are exposed to the toxic metals and whether that poses health risks.

“It’s really important that we do ask these scientific questions and that we prioritize funding and research to answer them, especially because we know that there are some toxic and harmful chemicals present in those products,” Shearston said.

Once the FDA gets more data Congresswoman Meng says leaders will be able to make policy accordingly and women will be able to make more informed health decisions.

“We as consumers in America have a right to know what we’re putting inside our bodies,” Meng said.

The FDA is promising to share its findings with the public.

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