You expect tampons to be clean, safe and made with care. But new research suggests they could carry more than just cotton.
In a disturbing discovery, scientists have found traces of a toxic chemical in tampons - one that most people try to avoid in their food and water.
A recent investigation by the Pesticide Action Network UK, the Women’s Environmental Network, and the Pesticide Collaboration tested 15 boxes of tampons bought from UK retailers.
They were looking for traces of pesticides — and they found them. One sample showed the presence of glyphosate, a controversial weedkiller.
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40 times over the legal limit
The amount detected was 0.004 mg/kg. To put that into perspective, the legal limit for glyphosate in drinking water is just 0.0001 mg/kg.
That means this tampon contained 40 times more of the chemical than what’s considered safe to drink.
Even more alarming is how tampons are used. Unlike food or drink, substances absorbed through the vagina go directly into the bloodstream.
They bypass the body’s normal detox systems — meaning even tiny traces could pose real health risks.
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Experts believe the glyphosate likely came from the cotton used in the product.
Cotton is one of the most pesticide-dependent crops in the world, and it's not unusual for it to be treated with a cocktail of chemicals during farming.
No regulation and no public awareness
Despite mounting concerns, there are no UK regulations in place to monitor or limit chemicals in menstrual products.
That means women, girls and others who menstruate could be unknowingly exposed to harmful substances.
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Advocates are now calling for urgent action.
They want period products to be routinely tested and labelled, just like food or cosmetics.
Because at the moment, consumers are left in the dark — and their health may be at risk.
This article is based on information from The Guardian.
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