FDA to Investigate Safety of Toxic Metals in Tampons

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it will launch an independent review into any possible effects of toxic metals found in tampons.

The announcement follows the release of a study in July that found traces of lead and other metals in 30 tampons from 14 brands obtained from major online retailers and stores in the United States, the U.K. and Greece. That study was conducted by a team at the University of California, Berkeley, and published in the journal Environmental International.

“The FDA is aware of concerns about tampon safety after a 2024 study found metals in tampons during laboratory testing,” the agency said in its announcement.

The agency stressed that tampons are tested for safety and effectiveness before making it to store shelves, but added that its review of existing data and its own laboratory study should clear up questions raised by the UC Berkeley study.

“While the study found metals in some tampons, the study did not test whether metals are released from tampons when used,” the FDA noted. “It also did not test for metals being released, absorbed into the vaginal lining, and getting into the bloodstream during tampon use.”

“The FDA’s laboratory study will measure the amount of metals that come out of tampons under conditions that more closely mimic normal use,” the agency added. “These initiatives will enable the FDA to complete a risk assessment of metals contained in tampons, based on a worst-case scenario of metal exposure.”