Do you remember the recent study from the University of Berkeley, that has shed light on a pretty concerning issue: the presence of toxic metals in tampons. This revelation might not been that just surprising; still, it should remain a wake-up call for anyone who menstruates.
The researchers tested 14 popular tampon brands and found measurable amounts of lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium in all of them. Yes, all of them! What's more alarming is that even 100% of the organic cotton tampons tested contained detectable levels of these metals.
A little reminder of the big numbers:
Lead was found in 96% of samples, mercury in 71%, arsenic in 62% and
cadmium in 29% of samples. These aren't just abstract statistics. These metals can accumulate in our bodies over time, potentially leading to serious health issues. The study also highlighted that tampon users may be exposed to these metals for up to 24% of their menstrual lifetime. That's a significant portion of time to be in contact with potentially harmful substances.
But it's not just about personal health. The environmental impact is equally concerning. With billions of tampons ending up in landfills or oceans annually, these toxic metals are also seeping into our ecosystems.
So, what's the alternative? First, it's time we start asking more questions about what we put in our bodies during menstruation. The Berkeley study is a crucial step towards greater transparency, but it's up to us to make informed choices. And second? Well, if you figure out you want to switch to a more healthy but also pretty much more cool reusable alternative, there might be good news for you...
Btw, that's me selling my nookees in New York because one thing is for sure: American customers are pretty done with anything toxic inside of their period products and they totally fell in love with mine...
