FDA Study Finds Heavy Metals in Tampons Pose No Health Risk Despite Initial Concerns
A year after reports revealed the presence of heavy metals such as lead and arsenic in popular tampon brands, a new study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concludes that the amounts released during use do not pose a health risk. Published in Toxicological Sciences, the research was prompted by a 2024 study that detected 16 metals in tampons but did not assess whether these metals are released during use or if exposure could be harmful.
The FDA study analyzed 11 tampon types from six brands legally sold in the U.S., testing metal content and potential release under stringent conditions. A toxicological risk assessment estimated maximum lifetime exposure, finding all metal levels far below harmful thresholds. Dr. Moran Agassi Zeitler, a gynecology and menopause expert, noted the findings are reassuring, emphasizing that the prior study did not address whether metals actually leach out or pose a biological risk.
Researchers identified 19 metals, including lead, arsenic, and cadmium, mostly in trace amounts. Some metals likely originate from natural raw materials absorbing them from soil, while others may be unintentionally introduced during manufacturing. Titanium dioxide, used for whitening, may explain titanium presence. Dr. Agassi Zeitler explained that detection alone does not imply danger; the critical factor is the amount released and absorbed by the body. She also highlighted that trace amounts of lead and arsenic are commonly found in everyday foods.
The study found differences in metal composition depending on tampon materials, with viscose-based tampons containing higher lithium and zinc, and cotton-based ones showing more calcium and iron. The FDA’s risk assessment under worst-case lifetime exposure scenarios confirmed the released metal quantities are too low to cause harm.
Dr. Agassi Zeitler stated there is currently no medical basis to recommend women stop using tampons due to heavy metal concerns. The FDA continues to classify tampons as safe medical devices. In October 2025, the FDA issued updated draft guidelines for manufacturers to test for contaminants and increase transparency about product ingredients, aiming to standardize safety and performance evaluations. Dr. Agassi Zeitler concluded that while the initial discovery raised important questions, the headline "heavy metals found in tampons" is more alarming than warranted by the data, and ongoing monitoring and transparency remain essential.
