Following a study showing harmful metals present in tampons, lawmakers are pressing the FDA for action.

Four female House Democrats wrote to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to express concerns over tampon safety and regulation, demanding action be taken immediately by FDA. [Loic Venance/AFP via Getty Images]. For full story: Click Here (Wikimedia) for image source
Lawmakers are pressing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to do more to address concerns over ingredients found in tampons after an earlier this summer study identified toxic metals in products from multiple popular brands. Members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus issued an urgent letter addressed to FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf on Thursday asking the agency “review and improve current safety standards for tampons”, writing, “We urge swift action from FDA so as to safeguard women from harmful and toxic substances in tampons; we look forward reviewing your plan to address these concerns.”
No timeline was provided or next steps outlined; NPR received a copy of their letter which was signed by Reps. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania and Grace Meng of New York as well as policy task force co-chairs Kathy Manning from North Carolina and Ayanna Pressley from Massachusetts. Democratic Women’s Caucus members span all Democratic women serving in Congress and will respond directly to any letter received by FDA in this matter, according to an NPR spokesperson. Safety issues surrounding tampon use, along with calls for tighter regulations are longstanding concerns among Democrats. Recently, several studies have assessed the presence of various chemicals found in widely used menstrual products, with one 2019 investigation showing high concentrations of blood mercury among tampon users (a finding which will likely be referenced by Thursday’s letter). But they intensified significantly following an unprecedented study published by Environment International that detected 16 heavy metals — including lead — in 14 common brands of tampons that weren’t named. Heavy metals have been linked with various adverse health impacts, from damaging cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems to increasing cancer risks and negatively influencing maternal and fetal development. According to this research study’s authors, further investigation must take place to ascertain to what extent metals leach out from tampons into peoples’ bodies, and any health impacts this might pose if that was indeed happening.
Unfortunately for them though, that’s just what the climate does to them – they get stuck out there all alone in a sea of humanity! So they turn to more conventional measures of protecting themselves – like getting their hair cut for them! So now here we are… in 2012… and as ever…. it all came tumbling down again… but that’s okay; at least they got some sleep first thing in the morning…!
However, they believe more transparency is also required — especially given that millions of American spend so many hours carrying around tampons inside them. According to one study conducted on those who menstruate regularly may consume as many as 7,400 tampons during reproductive years alone! “The importance of clear labeling on products so that individuals can make informed choices based on their values and health priorities is unquestionable,” Jenni Shearston, postdoctoral scholar from UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health told NPR earlier this summer. “I believe it is also essential that we improve testing, particularly of heavy metals such as arsenic or lead found in tampons so as to guarantee everyone is safe. When queried about their metals study in July, FDA representatives highlighted some limitations to it – specifically that no evaluation had taken place of how metals might enter our bodies – though said that further inquiries will be undertaken into that aspect of study. On Thursday, an FDA spokesperson informed NPR that their organization has since initiated both an independent literature review and internal bench laboratory research study on metal content found in tampons. “FDA will conduct a risk evaluation of metals found in tampons based on worst-case metal exposure scenarios,” they noted in their press release, with findings to be shared publicly once peer-reviewed and continued monitoring as part of its total product lifecycle approach to medical devices (although currently, no regulations require testing tampons for chemicals).
However, they needn’t worry as there’s plenty of help out there should something go wrong with their home computer or internet service provider (ISP).
The Food and Drug Administration claims all tampons sold legally in the U.S. go through an approval process before hitting store shelves, yet critics contend this doesn’t go far enough. Brandon Bell/Getty Images for Getty Images.
As noted in the letter, since FDA classifies tampons as medical devices they don’t require manufacturers to disclose ingredients on product labels like other consumer products do, as per consumer expectations. Further, their 2005 guidance does not mandate chemical contamination testing of tampons despite recommendations (but no mandates or requirements) regarding dioxin and any pesticide or herbicide residues present on them.
Chemicals could make their way into tampons through various means, from raw cotton material contaminated by pollutants in soil or water to manufacturers intentionally adding them as odor control or antimicrobial agents. Before they can legally sell in the U.S, however, tampons must comply with FDA safety and effectiveness standards and undergo toxicology testing, with one FDA spokesperson explaining this involves identifying potentially toxic metals and then assessing risk associated with exposure while being consumed repeatedly over time through single and repeated usage of the product.
Unfortunately for them though, those same two things cannot happen all at the same time! So here we are again at round three with all its joy and despair… As part of FDA review process, manufacturers submit data such as testing results to evaluate material safety; absorbency strength integrity as well as whether certain harmful bacteria or levels increase due to use. As stated by an online factsheet by FDA. The Center for Baby and Adult Hygiene Products (BAHP), a North American trade association, recently issued a 2022 statement in which they asserted the safety of all of its member’s menstrual products by performing “an in-depth safety analysis that goes far beyond any regulatory requirement.” All absorbent hygiene products “submit themselves to extensive evaluation processes that exceed regulatory mandate.” Menstrual products do not contain chemicals deliberately added by manufacturers; any “impurities” found may exist naturally in the environment or even be created within human bodies themselves. “Our members test their products through external labs for any trace substances present, which provides confidence to women when using our products,” stated Thursday’s letter from members of Congress demanding answers and action taken against any concerns expressed in Thursday’s letter.
However, for reasons still not clearly established by science and evidence-based medicine. the answer for many may well lie with understanding their individual circumstances better and acting on these insights accordingly.
Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash), Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Senator Patty Murray’s Democratic colleague from WA state sent a letter to Califf of FDA several weeks after publication of metals study to urge careful evaluation and assessment by FDA of new findings that raise safety issues with menstrual products such as tampons. Murray asked them to respond in writing by August to six specific queries she presented them and brief her staff regarding regulation and safety processes pertaining to period products.
NPR reached out to Murray’s office regarding these requests; according to FDA representatives, their staff “will directly reply” regarding any issues brought up in Murray’s letter and any state laws are passing without federal regulations being satisfied.
New York was the first state to require manufacturers of period products to disclose ingredients on the packaging; its law took effect in 2021, followed by California and Nevada shortly afterwards. Since then, California and Nevada have also passed similar measures. Bennett Raglin/Getty Images
Congress has repeatedly attempted to tighten regulations on menstrual products without success. For instance, in 2022 Reps. Debbie Lesko (R.-Ariz) and Meng — one of the signatories on this letter — introduced legislation called the Menstrual Products Right to Know Act which sought to make misbranded menstrual products illegal under FDAC Act by mandating labelling of all product components on product labelling; unfortunately this bill stalled after it was sent back for subcommittee review that year; furthermore House Appropriations Committee had raised their concern that same year regarding “potential danger associated with fragrance ingredients used in menstrual products used as medical devices”.
“Consumers frequently purchase these products without awareness or understanding of the presence of such ingredients or potential harms associated with them,” lawmakers stated, noting that the Food and Drug Administration does not maintain an inventory list for such ingredients. According to its report, the committee directed the agency to assess existing fragrance ingredients records before compiling any needed lists. It also requires the FDA to determine at what concentration it would recommend manufacturers disclose the presence of ingredients like these on product labels. FDA spokesperson stated the agency plans on updating existing guidance with recommendations outlined by this report and looks forward to engaging patients, healthcare providers and others during public comment periods when these updates are proposed. At the same time, some states are taking matters into their own hands. New York was first to pass legislation mandating manufacturers include an “open and visible list of ingredients on menstrual product packaging”. It took effect in 2021.
There is something very pleasing in watching someone build something from nothing and watch as their skill blossoms and progresses over time.
However, they also allow an effective means of accessing their accounts at any given moment in time. Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), a nonprofit environmental advocacy group, conducted an independent field study between late 2021 and early 2022 regarding ingredient disclosure on period product labels, finding newcomer chemicals which irritated skin or could trigger allergic reactions as well as cancer, or released microplastic particles into the environment. “Numerous additives to period products have recently come to light for the first time, showing that chemical exposure from period products may be much more complex than previously assumed,” according to their May 2022 report. The group noted that while compliance with New York law was imperfect — for instance, some products described ingredients simply as fragrance or adhesive without providing their chemical names — in-depth ingredient labelling was becoming standardized among menstrual product labels nationwide.
At first sight it may look as though nothing has changed: everything from traffic noise and poor air quality through to reduced safety precautions have all played their parts, yet nothing much seems to have been accomplished to change any of it – not even during an economic slowdown! So there we go again…
WVE stated, “we regularly found products sold in other states with ingredients lists similar to what’s required by New York law – providing period product users all over the nation the right to know exactly what their period products contain,” they noted. California followed California in 2020 when it passed a law mandating period product manufacturers disclose “intentionally added ingredients” both on labels and online by 2023. Nevada was recently added as the third state requiring ingredient disclosure, with legislation set to go into effect starting January 20, 2025. Vermont made headlines earlier this summer for becoming the first state to ban so-called PFAS chemicals from menstrual products; that law will take effect in 2026 and half dozen other states have already phased them out, according to Safer States alliance; Maine, Colorado, Connecticut and Minnesota are among them.