New Study Finds Toxic Metals in Popular Tampon Brands: Lead and Arsenic Detected in All Types

Berkeley, California United States of America
Lead was present in all 30 tampons tested, while arsenic was more common in organic ones.
The study emphasized the need for regulations requiring manufacturers to test metals in tampons.
University of California Berkeley and Columbia University researchers found toxic metals, including lead and arsenic, in tampons from 14 brands.
New Study Finds Toxic Metals in Popular Tampon Brands: Lead and Arsenic Detected in All Types

In a recent study, researchers from the University of California Berkeley and Columbia University discovered concerning levels of toxic metals, including lead and arsenic, in tampons sold across the US, Europe, and the UK. The findings were published in the journal Environmental International.

The team tested 30 tampons from 14 different brands purchased from major online retailers and stores. Their results showed that all types of tampons contained detectable levels of metals, with no single category consistently showing lower concentrations across all or most metals.

Lead was found in all 30 tampons tested, while arsenic was more frequently present in organic tampons than non-organic ones. The researchers noted that the presence of metals could be due to contamination of raw materials or water during manufacture, or the intentional addition as antimicrobial agents, odor control, or lubrication.

The study highlighted the need for regulations requiring manufacturers to test metals in tampons. The researchers also emphasized that any substance entering the bloodstream from the vagina is not filtered by the liver and could potentially have negative effects on health, including impacting the brain, kidneys, heart, blood, immune system, and reproductive organs.

Further studies are necessary to determine whether these metals leach out of tampons. The Food and Drug Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the findings.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Are the detected levels of metals significant enough to pose a health risk?
  • Could other factors, such as individual use patterns or contamination during testing, have influenced the results?

Sources

82%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Toxic arsenic and lead commonly found in tampons: landmark study

New York Post Reda Wigle Friday, 05 July 2024 14:29
  • Unique Points
    • New study finds toxic metals like lead and arsenic in 30 tampons from 14 brands
    • Study is the first to measure metals in tampons, concerning levels of arsenic and lead found
    • Lead concentrations higher in nonorganic tampons, arsenic greater in organic tampons
    • Metals present in all types of tampons, varying by purchase location and brand type
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The article makes several statements that are sensational and may manipulate the reader's emotions. The title itself, 'Toxic arsenic and lead commonly found in tampons: landmark study', is misleading as it implies that all tampons contain high levels of toxic metals which is not supported by the study. The author also states that '34 million American women use tampons, often for hours at a time and for several days' without providing any context or evidence to support this claim. Additionally, the article selectively reports on certain findings from the study, such as higher lead concentrations in nonorganic tampons and arsenic in organic tampons, while ignoring other findings that do not fit the narrative. The author also uses emotional language when describing potential health effects of metal exposure without providing any evidence or context.
    • Lead is of particular concern. Any lead that leaches out of a tampon can lead to numerous adverse neurological, renal, cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, reproductive, and developmental effects.
    • Metals can be introduced into tampons in several ways. The raw materials of cotton, rayon or viscose may be contaminated during production. Tampons can also be contaminated by water during the manufacturing process, or metals may be deliberately added for whitening, antibacterial agents, odor control or lubrication.
    • Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to measure metals in tampons. Concerningly, we found concentrations of all metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead.
    • Take this in – a new study of 30 tampons from 14 brands finds they contain toxic metals like lead and arsenic.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating 'concerningly, we found concentrations of all metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead.' This is an appeal to emotion and can be considered a form of informal fallacy. The author also makes a dichotomous depiction by stating 'Lead is of particular concern. Any lead that leaches out of a tampon can lead to numerous adverse neurological, renal, cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, reproductive, and developmental effects.' This statement oversimplifies the potential health effects of lead exposure and creates a false dichotomy between 'leads that leach out' and 'non-lead' tampons.
    • ][The author] found concentrations of all metals they tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead.[/
    • ][The author] Lead is of particular concern. Any lead that leaches out of a tampon can lead to numerous adverse neurological, renal, cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, reproductive, and developmental effects.[/
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

90%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Arsenic, lead and other toxic metals detected in tampons, study finds

CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ Kate Gibson Saturday, 06 July 2024 00:38
  • Unique Points
    • A study found over a dozen metals, including lead and arsenic, in tampons sold across the US and Europe.
    • Lead was detected in all 30 tampons from 14 brands tested.
    • Arsenic was found to be present more frequently in organic tampons than non-organic ones.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (50%)
    The article makes selective reporting by only mentioning the presence of arsenic and lead in tampons without providing context on the levels or potential health effects. The author also uses emotional manipulation by stating 'raising concerns about menstruation products used by millions' without providing any evidence of harm.
    • The findings point towards the need for regulations requiring the testing of metals in tampons by manufacturers.
    • The presence of metals could also be the result of chemicals used as antimicrobials or to control odor.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

94%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Toxic Tampon Warning As Arsenic and Lead Found in Common Menstrual Products

Newsweek LLC Isabel Cameron Thursday, 04 July 2024 15:52
  • Unique Points
    • Study found toxic metals including lead and arsenic in tampons from popular brands
    • Metals could make their way into tampons through cotton material or intentional addition during manufacturing
    • Tampons are a concern as potential source of exposure to chemicals due to vaginal skin absorption and large usage population
    • Metals have been linked to increased risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes and cancer, can cause damage to various systems in the body and adversely affect maternal health and fetal development
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (70%)
    The article contains selective reporting by focusing on the presence of toxic metals in tampons without mentioning that all types contained detectable levels of metals and no single category consistently showed lower concentrations across all or most metals. The author also uses emotional manipulation by stating that 'metals have been linked to an increased risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes and cancer' without providing any context or evidence for the reader that these risks are directly related to the metals found in tampons.
    • Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons.
    • Metals have been linked to an increased risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes and cancer.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

90%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Are Tampons Safe? Researchers Find Lead, Arsenic in US, UK and EU

Bloomberg News Now Anna Edney Saturday, 06 July 2024 00:40
  • Unique Points
    • Researchers found lead in all 30 tampons tested from 14 different brands.
    • Lead was found in all tampons tested in a study published this week in the journal Environmental International.
    • The study, led by Jenni Shearston of the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health, is the first to measure metal concentrations in tampons.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (50%)
    The author makes a statement about lead being found in all tampons tested, which is selective reporting as it implies that all tampons contain lead when the study only tested 30 tampons from 14 brands. The author also uses emotional manipulation by stating that lead exposure can cause neurological damage without providing any context or quantification of the risk.
    • Lead was found in all 30 tampons tested from 14 different brands.
    • Researchers found more than a dozen metals, including lead and arsenic, in widely available tampons in the US and Europe used by potentially millions of people.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

86%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Toxic arsenic and lead found to be common in tampons

New Atlas Friday, 05 July 2024 05:16
  • Unique Points
    • Few studies have investigated whether tampons contain health-affecting chemicals despite their widespread use and potential for vaginal absorption.
    • Lead was detected in all of the tested tampons with higher concentrations in non-organic ones.
    • Arsenic was found to be higher in organic tampons.
    • There is no safe exposure level for lead, any amount that leaches out of a tampon and enters the bloodstream can have negative effects on health including impacting the brain, kidneys, heart, blood, immune system and reproductive organs.
    • Metals could have been introduced into tampons through contamination of raw materials or water during manufacture or intentionally as antimicrobial agents, odor control, or lubrication.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The article makes several statements that imply deception by selectively reporting and sensationalizing. The title of the article, 'Toxic arsenic and lead found to be common in tampons', is misleading as it implies that all tampons contain toxic levels of arsenic and lead when the study only found measurable concentrations. The author also states, 'Of most concern to the researchers was the presence of lead in all of the tested tampons.' This statement is not entirely accurate as while lead was detected in all tampons, it does not mean that all tampons contain toxic levels of lead. The article also fails to disclose sources for some statements made and uses emotional manipulation by stating potential negative health effects without providing concrete evidence.
    • It's estimated that, in the US, between 52% and 82% of people who menstruate use tampons.
    • Lead is stored in the bones, replacing calcium, and can stay there for decades. It's known to negatively affect the brain, kidneys, heart, blood, immune system, and reproductive organs and impact development.
    • Of most concern to the researchers was the presence of lead in all of the tested tampons.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication