The Food and Drug Administration has launched an investigation into heavy metals in feminine care products. In July, Straight Arrow News reported on a study that found toxic metals like lead and arsenic in 30 tampons from 14 popular brands. That study is what launched this FDA probe.
The study’s authors said only low levels of the metals were found in the organic and non-organic tampons they studied. However, the Environmental Protection Agency has said for decades there is no safe level of lead exposure.
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Researchers did not test whether the metals were released from the tampons when used, or if they could get into the bloodstream that way — so that’s what the FDA’s investigation will focus on.
Authors of the study say up to 80% of women in the U.S. use tampons, and in a letter asking the FDA for this study, the Democratic Women’s Caucus said each woman will use about 7,400. tampons over the course of their reproductive years.
The FDA has not yet said when it expects to release its findings from this study.
