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A study by US researchers has revealed a worrying fact about tampons used by women around the world. Arsenic, lead, and other toxic metals have been found in tampons. Toxic metals could put women at greater risk for potentially fatal health conditions, Mediafax writes. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, examined 30 tampons from 14 different brands and found that each contained 16 metals. The metals found included arsenic, lead, mercury, nickel, copper, and iron, among others, Sky News reported.
The levels of metals found varied depending on whether the tampon was sold in the US, UK or EU, whether it was organic, and whether it was a brand name or supermarket product. Studies show that between 52% and 86% of American women use tampons during their period.
They are particularly dangerous if they are contaminated with harmful substances because they come into direct contact with the vagina and are more easily absorbed.
The study found that metal absorption can increase the risk of dementia, cancer, infertility and diabetes, causing problems for the liver, kidneys, brain, and cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems. It can also be harmful to unborn babies. “There have been very few studies measuring chemicals in tampons, despite their huge potential impact,” said Jenni Shearston, lead author of the study. “To our knowledge, this is the first paper to measure metals in swabs. Worryingly, we found concentrations of all the metals tested, including toxic metals such as arsenic and lead.” The study found that organic tampons had higher levels of arsenic, while non-organic tampons had higher levels of lead. Metals can get into pads in a number of ways – through cotton absorption from contaminated water, air or soil, or through manufacturers deliberately adding them as part of the pigment. The researchers warned that there is no “safe” level for any of the metals tested.
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