1
Return

Do metals in tampons pose a health risk? A toxicological risk assessment study

delete2026-05-29
delete0
PRE
AI
Y
Ying Jin *
M
Michael Eppihimer
M
Md Shah Alam
A
Anne T Powell
E
Edward Margerrison
A
Arghavan Victoria Nawaby *
DOI:10.1093/toxsci/kfag065delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Recently concern has been raised over metal content in tampons and the possibility of toxicological risk to women. As a result, researchers at the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated metals present in tampons and estimated the maximum exposure and toxicological risk associated with tampon use. The levels of metals contained in, and released from eleven tampon products, which are legally marketed in the U.S., were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Levels of metals released were determined under exaggerated test conditions (50 °C for 24 hours in acidified water) considering the recommended use of tampons. The potential for metals to be released from the tampons was used to conduct a toxicological risk assessment (TRA) based on ISO 10993 and FDA guidance. In this investigation nineteen metals were detected including ICH Class I metals–arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) were found at trace levels. Based on the in-depth TRA, all detected metals had margins of safety (MoS) indicating that there is negligible toxicological concern from the presence of metals in tampon materials. This study expands on prior investigations of metal content in tampons.

Journal

Toxicological Sciences cover
Toxicological Sciences
IF:
4.1
Papers:
7.2K
Citations:
1.6W

Organization

U
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Scholars:
340
Papers: 87
Citations: 0
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers