Sullivan Anderson 
The Facts
Women already go through enough on our monthly cycles, so we should be able to safely enjoy period products, right? WRONG. On Sunday, July 3rd, a study published by Environmental International was released highlighting toxic chemicals in the products. The research analyzed 30 tampons across 14 tampon brands, and found that there were measurable concentrations of these various metals:
- Arsenic
- Barium
- Calcium
- Cadmium
- Cobalt
- Chromium
- Copper
- Iron
- Manganese
- Mercury
- Nickel
- Lead
- Selenium
- Strontium
- Vanadium
- Zinc
“Our findings point towards the need for regulations requiring the testing of metals in tampons by manufacturers. This is especially important considering that we found measurable quantities of several toxic metals, including Pb, which has no known ‘safe’ exposure level,” the study concludes. While it does not explicitly name any brands, the study sounded alarms across the country – an estimated 50 – 80 percent of menstruators use tampons.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Although a relatively easy option, the potential long-term health effects of tampons are unappealing, simply put. Good thing, they aren’t our only option. There are various tampon alternatives, including reusable cloth pads, menstrual cups, menstrual discs, and period underwear. If you’re a tampon girly, it might be difficult to let them go (trust me, I know), but it is better to be safe than sorry. Research each project, and see which one works best for you. We got this ladies!
By Sullivan Anderson, North Carolina A&T State University Alumna
Instagram: @SullivanGrace_
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