Written by: Kristýna Vondrová
In July, a disturbing report by a research team at the University of Berkeley flooded the media. She draws attention to the high metal content in tampons. And it is definitely not the fruit of the cucumber season, which bends and inflates the data in an attempt to create a sensation. How do dangerous substances get into period products (and our bodies)? Does the "organic" sticker on the box of tampons mean a guarantee of safety? And why did we wait until last year to test with real blood?
The case of summer 2024: tampons contain lead and arsenic
Researchers from the University of California at Berkeley focused (for the first time ever) on the metal content of tampons. In the United States, England and Greece, they bought (through brick-and-mortar stores and e-shops) tools from 14 different brands and subjected them to careful testing.
The result struck the scientists' breath away: they detected the presence of heavy and toxic metals (e.g. lead, arsenic, chromium, copper, iron, manganese or mercury) in all tampons. Their quantity varied by point of sale and product line. Although organic tampons contained less lead, they "won" in terms of arsenic content.
And we are not talking about marginally exceeding the permitted standards. There is no "safe level" of metals in tampons. Through the sensitive mucous membrane of the vagina, the mentioned substances get directly into the blood and act as so-called endocrine disruptors (chemical substances with an adverse effect on the hormonal balance of women). In addition, exposing the organism to heavy metals can lead to cancer, dementia, diabetes, infertility and other health complications.
Weak regulation and testing with blue liquid
Does it surprise you that we do not find support in European legislation that keeps a protective hand over its consumers? According to the General Product Safety Directive, all products placed on the EU market must be safe. But the regulations do not oblige manufacturers to chemically test their products.
Speaking of testing, allow us one more moan. Until 2023, pads and tampons were tested with a blue liquid instead of real menstrual blood. Thus, there was an incorrect evaluation of the absorption capabilities and - above all, the safety - of the aids. In television commercials, the mythical blue liquid made us feel ashamed and taboo about menstruation, and in laboratories, it caused unfathomable health consequences. Admitting color is not a question of aesthetics, but of life.
Where do the toxic substances in tampons come from?
Heavy metals are not the only problematic component of the products that we regularly insert into the vagina with naive trust. Pesticides or phthalates can also spoil a decent meadow. How do toxic substances even get into hygiene products?
Growing cotton. The main raw material for the production of tampons is cotton. Its cultivation cannot be done without the use of pesticides, herbicides and other fertilizers.
Bleaching processes. In order for tampons to meet the prescribed requirements for cleanliness, their pulp is bleached. This is how dioxins (chemical compounds of chlorine) get into it.
Perfuming tampons. An odor neutralizer or added fragrance is also a common component of disposables. Another source of synthetic dyes and a threat to vaginal microbiome.
Environmental pollution. Water, soil and air suffer long-term climate change and pollution, which leads to the accumulation of toxic substances in the environment.
Organic tampons aren’t the answer
It is us women who are the drivers of change in the matter of sustainability. In our consumer behavior, we emphasize frugality and safety to a greater extent than men. And manufacturers of tampons respond to our desires with brown packaging that imitates recycled paper and the unmistakable slogan "made from 100% certified organic cotton".
However, as can be seen from the previous lines, even the sincere efforts of responsible and ecologically minded companies are not enough to ensure that their final products do not contain toxic substances. Despite the fact that there is no legislative definition of what such a designation means in practice.
Medical-grade silicone is the safer choice
The method of use is closest to a tampon menstrual cup. You won't find any metals, BPA, phthalates, absorbents or deodorants in it. With it, you do not expose yourself to drying of the vaginal mucosa or to the unwanted multiplication of bacteria and the accompanying odor. And you won't throw away 1,200 used disposables in the trash (if you use our cup for five years - in fact, it lasts up to twice as long).