In a recent study published in Environment International , a team of researchers from the United States (U.S.) investigated the presence of metals in tampons commonly used by menstruating women.
The study tested 30 tampons from 18 product lines and 14 brands for 16 metals or metalloids and compared the metal concentrations based on tampon characteristics. Study: Tampons as a source of exposure to metal(loid)s . Image Credit: Skrypnykov Dmytro/Shutterstock.
com Close to 50% of the global population are biologically female and experience menstruation. Menstruation begins on average at the age of 12 years and continues till menopause, which occurs around the age of 50 years, and menstruating individuals experience bleeding for an average of four days every menstrual cycle, which occurs every 29 days. A significant portion of menstruating individuals use tampons to manage the bleeding.
Tampons are plugs made of viscose, cotton, or rayon that can be inserted into the vagina, where it absorbs the menstrual blood. Given that anywhere between 52% and 86% of menstruating individuals in the U.S.
use tampons, it is important to understand whether tampon usage can lead to systemic chemical exposure, as the vaginal tissue is highly absorbent. Previous studies have detected various chemicals in tampons, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, parabens, volatile organic compounds, dioxins, etc. However, few studies have investigated the potential exposure to metals through tampons.
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