Photo by Natracare on Unsplash

A recent study led by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia University, tested 30 tampons from 14 different brands. The brands were from the U.S., UK and Europe. Both organic and non-orgranic. Brand name and generic. Metals were present in every tampon. Predominately lead and arsenic, with lead concentrations averaging 120 parts per billion (ppb). For comparison, the (FDA) sets the allowable limit for lead in bottled water at 5 ppb (public water it is 15ppb), indicating that the lead levels in some of these tampons were 24 times higher than that standard.

This is very alarming and means that follow-up studies are necessary. The vagina is permeable, it has a large number of blood vessels and means that it can easily absorb anything it is exposed to. The FDA has initiated an investigation to assess the potential risks associated with metal exposure from tampon use.

Have menstrual companies broken any laws?  Not any obvious ones, why?
Some metals and chemicals can be intentionally added to the products to make them whiter, or for antibacterial purposes, however we do not know in the state of New Mexico, because the FDA classifies menstrual materials tampons, pads, period underwear as medical devices, so it does not require the manufactures to disclose ingredients on their packages.

However three states, New York, California, and Nevada have enacted laws to require manufacturers to disclose all intentionally added ingredients in menstrual products on the packaging.

That word intentional is very important, because manufacturers may not always have full knowledge of the chemicals present in their products, as some chemicals are introduced during upstream processes, such as farming and raw material preparation. For instance, the use of pesticides or herbicides. The contamination can also be present because fields are located near industrial sites, such as chemical plants or waste treatment facilities, may expose crops like cotton to runoff containing heavy metals and other pollutants.

However, this can no longer be an excuse for manufactures overlooking potential contaminants… manufacturers have the means—and the responsibility—to routinely check raw materials for residues. Failing to do so compromises consumer safety and perpetuates health risks. Consumers deserve this transparency and assurance that every component in these products meets rigorous health standards.

At Free Flow NM, we respect individuals’ right to make informed choices about what’s best for their bodies, including eco-friendly reusable products. Our goal is to provide access to a range of period products, including tampons, to ensure everyone can find an option that suits their personal needs. While these findings about potential contaminants are concerning, a comprehensive, peer-reviewed study has not yet been fully released to confirm the extent of any risk. For now, we remain committed to providing a choice of products while following emerging research closely and adjusting our approach as needed for safety.