New independent laboratory testing of eight widely available tampon products found quantifiable levels of lead in seven of the eight products tested, with conventional tampons showing substantially higher concentrations than products labeled as organic cotton.

The testing, commissioned by Oasishealth.app alongside researchers at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, screened eight retail tampon products for heavy metals, phthalates, residual solvents, and glyphosate/AMPA.

Among the key findings:

• Lead was detected in seven of eight products.

• Cadmium was quantified only in the three conventional products tested.

• No phthalates, residual solvents, or glyphosate/AMPA were quantified in any of the eight products. 

The results add to growing questions about what chemicals and metals may be present in menstrual products and how manufacturing materials and sourcing may contribute to contamination.

Researchers and regulators continue to examine the potential health implications of metals in tampons, including recent FDA research assessing both metal content and release from tampon products.

(Newswise/HG)