Metals in Tampons: FDA Initiates New Safety Measures and Testing

The FDA is addressing concerns about tampon safety following a 2024 study that discovered metals in tampons during laboratory testing.

Some of the tampon makers include Procter & Gamble Co PG, Johnson & Johnson JNJ, Edgewell Personal Care EPC, and Kimberly-Clark Corporation KMB.

A study published in July found a variety of metals, including arsenic,  cadmium, and lead, in more than a dozen brands of tampons.

The researchers said they evaluated the concentrations of 16 metal(loid)s in 30 tampons from 14 tampon brands and 18 product lines.

The FDA reassured the public that all tampons must meet strict safety and effectiveness requirements before they can be legally sold in the U.S. Tampon manufacturers are required to conduct thorough tests of their products and component materials throughout the manufacturing process.

This includes pre-market biocompatibility testing, which the FDA evaluates.

While the study identified the presence of metals in certain tampons, it did not examine whether these metals are released during use or absorbed by the vaginal lining, nor did it explore the potential for metals entering the bloodstream.

In response, the FDA has launched two initiatives to investigate the issue further.

• First, the FDA has commissioned an independent review of the available literature on tampon safety. This review aims to enhance the agency’s understanding of existing data on the chemicals found in tampons and any associated health risks.
• Second, the FDA has begun its internal laboratory study to measure how much metals are released from tampons under conditions mimicking typical use.

The findings from these studies will contribute to a comprehensive risk assessment of metal exposure from tampons. The FDA plans to share the results of its literature review and lab tests with the public once they have been peer-reviewed.

Additionally, the FDA emphasized that it will continue to monitor tampon safety as part of its total product lifecycle approach to medical devices.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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