Do metals from tampons enter the body?

It is unlikely that metals from tampons will enter the body in quantities that pose a health risk.

Tampons are usually made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of both. They do not contain metals as part of their structure. Some tampons may contain trace amounts of metals as a result of the manufacturing processes, but these amounts are usually very small.

Tampons are closely regulated by health agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and similar agencies in other countries. These regulatory agencies ensure that tampons are safe to use and do not contain harmful substances in amounts that could pose a health risk.

During manufacturing, tampons may come into contact with machinery and materials that contain trace amounts of metals. However, these trace amounts are usually negligible and within safe limits. Some reports suggest that very low levels of metals such as titanium dioxide may be used as a whitening agent in tampons, but the amounts are small and considered safe. Environmental contamination can contribute to the presence of very small amounts of metals in cotton and other fibers, but these levels are usually low and not harmful.

The vaginal mucosa can absorb substances, but the amount of metals potentially present in tampons is very small and unlikely to cause significant absorption.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024004355

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-08-05 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024