At Beppy, we think it’s important to keep you well informed about your health. A recent study published in the scientific journal Environment International by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, has shown that tampons can contain toxic metals such as arsenic, lead and cadmium. This news has since spread in the media worldwide. As millions of women around the world use tampons, we find these findings worrying. In this article, therefore, we would like to discuss with you what this information means and what you can do to protect yourself.
The findings: Toxic metals in tampons
The study analysed 30 different tampons from 14 brands from Greece, the US and the UK, among others. All 16 metals studied, including harmful substances such as lead and arsenic, were found. Interestingly, tampons from Europe and the UK generally contained lower concentrations of lead than those from the United States. In addition, private labels were often found to contain higher concentrations of these metals than branded products.
The presence of these toxic metals in tampons can have several causes, such as contamination during the cultivation of cotton plants or during the production process. These contaminations can occur through wastewater or other sources. In some cases, metals may even be intentionally added for infection control or odour control, for example.
Why this is only being investigated now
The fact that this study is the first to focus on the presence of toxic metals in tampons is significant. Until June this year, the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences decided to invest in a series of studies on intravaginal products for the first time. This is a worryingly late start, considering that the first intravaginal tampon was invented as long as 93 years ago. This delay in research is partly due to historical biases in medical research, where women were often excluded from clinical trials due to the misconception that female hormones would distort research findings.
The lack of research on products specifically for women is a symptom of a broader undervaluation of female health. For example, between 2020 and 2023, only 1% of research money was invested in innovation for products specific to women, about $44 million. By comparison, during the same period, $1.24 billion was invested in research on erectile dysfunction in men. This highlights a glaring disparity in priorities within medical research.
Call for action and more research
At Beppy, we believe there should be strict regulations on the testing of toxic metals in tampons. We call on manufacturers and regulators to demand transparency and more research into the potential health risks of these products. It is essential to understand how much of these metals can be absorbed into the body and what the potential consequences are.
Safe alternatives: Beppy Cup and Beppy Tampons
To provide women with safer options, Beppy offers durable and safe products such as the Beppy Cup and Beppy Menstrual Sponge. The Beppy Cup is a reusable menstrual cup made of medical silicone, free of toxic metals and designed for maximum comfort and safety. Our Beppy Menstrual Sponge is specially developed without added chemicals, made from safe and skin-friendly materials.
At Beppy, we are committed to providing safe, transparent and reliable menstrual products. We strive to set the standard in the industry and continue to advocate for more research and better regulation to ensure the health of our customers. If you have any questions? Feel free to contact us!
