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Researchers found mercury, arsenic, lead and other observable and absorbable amounts of metals found in over a dozen tampon brands, according to a report in the Environment International journal. “To our knowledge, our study is the first to assess concentrations of metals in tampons, despite the potential for substantial vaginal absorption of metals and the widespread and frequent use of tampons among menstruators,” the study’s authors wrote. Tampons are in direct contact with the vagina, which has a more absorbent lining than other areas of the body. The scientific journal conducted a study on 14 brands,18 product lines and 5 absorbances. They found: arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium and zinc. While some elements, like iron and selenium, are needed by the body in trace amounts, others, like mercury, cadmium and lead, are known to be toxic. The tested tampons including organic-labeled and nonorganic tampons were purchased during the months of September 2022 and March 2023 from stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and online retailers. The study revealed that 52 percent to 86 percent of menstruators in the United States use tampons during their cycle. The study states that “vaginally absorbed chemicals do not undergo first-pass metabolism and detoxification via the liver and directly enter systemic circulation,” which means the metals could enter the bloodstream more easily and move, unfiltered, to other parts of the body where they might cause harm. With the discovery of several toxic chemicals and no established “safe” levels of exposure, the researchers are encouraging better regulations. The study suggests several possible sources for the presence of the metals, including that the material could have absorbed them from nearby contaminants, and that the metals could have been intentionally added as pigments, whiteners, or antibacterial agents. ✍️: Racquel Bethea, product & tech fellow 📸: Sven Olof Jonn/Getty Images

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