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In late June this year, a team of scientists led by researchers at the University of California-Berkeley published a study reporting dangerous levels of heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic, in the products of major menstrual tampon brands. Since then, Health Canada and Manufacturers have remained silent, despite the obvious health risks.
The study tested tampons from the United Kingdom, European Union and the US, with the majority of products manufactured in the US. No matter their country of origin, all tampons tested were said to contain equal amounts of heavy metals.
One of them is particularly dangerous: lead was found in every single tampon, researchers warned “There is no safe exposure level to lead; any proportion of lead that may leach out of a tampon might contribute to negative health outcomes.”
Researchers also indicated that tampon users are also at much greater risk of heavy metal contamination because the part of the body exposed to them is “highly permeable” and as a result “absorbed chemicals do not undergo first-pass metabolism and detoxification via the liver and directly enter systemic circulation.”
Therefore, users are made to use medical devices that can lead to a long and frightening list of potential health problems.
“Lead is associated with numerous adverse neurological, renal, cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, reproductive, and developmental effects," the study states.
"Even low-level exposure to lead can result in neurobehavioral impacts […] including decreased cognitive function such as impaired attention, memory, and learning ability […] Arsenic is a known carcinogen and is associated with cardiovascular disease, dermatitis and other dermal effects, and respiratory and neurological disease.”
The government of Canada says that “tampons are essential to the health of Canadians” and in Winter 2023, they took the initiative of requiring all federal buildings to provide access to pads and tampons.
Despite this apparently unequivocal commitment for menstrual health, this study has generated no official statements from the government, no official investigation has been launched, and no demands made to manufacturers for product recalls.
The North Star reached out to Health Canada for comment on the study and how the ministry intends to respond to this critical health concern.
In their response, Health Canada said it "monitors information related to the safety of medical devices, including tampons […] Health Canada is aware of this study and its findings are being assessed. Health Canada will take action if warranted.”
That's a lukewarm response compared to that of the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA), which officially announced in early September that it has launched independent and internal inquiries to test the findings of the study.
This is happening three months after the study has been made public, after the publication of more than 1400 news articles, and after numerous demands from concerned citizens that health authorities do something.
The North Star also reached out to two of the biggest tampon manufacturers in North America for comment; Procter & Gamble (P&G), who did not respond, and Edgewell Personal Care (Edgewell). Edgewell stated that they are aware of study but are waiting on the FDA, among other health authorities, to require them to act.
Edgewell concluded “Consumers can continue to feel confident and trust that our products are safe.” Health Canada suggests Canadians with concerns for tampon safety consult "a healthcare professional”. However, the scientists say their study "findings point towards the need for regulations requiring the testing of metals in tampons by manufacturers."