You’ve probably seen the TikToks. Or maybe it was a frantic headline in your newsfeed about lead, arsenic, and a "cocktail of toxins" found in the one thing millions of people stick inside their bodies for a week every month. It’s scary. Honestly, the thought of heavy metals sitting in your vaginal canal—one of the most absorbent tissues in the human body—is enough to make anyone want to switch to rags immediately. But if we’re going to talk about what chemicals are in tampons, we need to move past the panic and look at the actual chemistry, the manufacturing process, and the recent studies that have everyone freaked out.
The reality is complicated. Tampons aren't just "plugs" made of cotton; they are industrial products. They go through cleaning, bleaching, and binding processes before they ever hit the shelves at Target or CVS.
The Heavy Metal Study That Changed Everything
In July 2024, researchers at UC Berkeley released a study that sent shockwaves through the wellness world. They tested 30 tampons from 14 different brands and found measurable concentrations of 16 different heavy metals. We are talking about lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Lead was found in every single sample.
This isn't just about "cheap" brands, either. The study found that organic tampons actually had higher levels of arsenic, while conventional brands had more lead. It feels like a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation.
Why are these there? It’s rarely intentional. Plants like cotton and rayon—the two main ingredients in most tampons—are incredibly good at absorbing things from the soil. If the soil has lead in it from old gasoline or industrial runoff, the cotton will have lead in it. If the water used to irrigate the crops contains arsenic, the tampon will too. Sometimes, these metals are added as whitening agents or anti-microbial treatments during the manufacturing phase.
Bleaching, Dioxins, and the "Chlorine-Free" Label
For decades, the biggest concern regarding what chemicals are in tampons was dioxins. Dioxins are a byproduct of chlorine bleaching. Back in the day, companies used elemental chlorine to get that pristine, "medical" white look. This process created TCDD, one of the most toxic dioxins known to man.
The FDA eventually stepped in. Nowadays, most brands use "Elemental Chlorine-Free" (ECF) or "Totally Chlorine-Free" (TCF) bleaching. ECF uses chlorine dioxide, which significantly reduces—but doesn't always 100% eliminate—trace dioxins. TCF usually uses hydrogen peroxide. Is it better? Yes. Is it perfect? Nothing is. Even the FDA admits that dioxins are ubiquitous in the environment, so finding a "zero" reading is nearly impossible in any modern consumer good.
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VOCs and the Mystery of "Fragrance"
If your tampons smell like "Spring Rain" or "Fresh Meadow," you’re dealing with a whole different category of chemicals. "Fragrance" is a legal loophole. Under trade secret laws, companies don't have to list the specific ingredients that make up a scent. This can include phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors.
Recent testing by groups like Women’s Voices for the Earth has found Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in scented tampons. We’re talking about things like:
- Chloroform
- Hexane
- Acetone
These aren't things you want near your mucous membranes. The vaginal wall is highly vascularized. Unlike the skin on your arm, which has a thick layer of dead cells (the stratum corneum) to protect you, the vagina is designed to absorb. That's why some medications are delivered vaginally—it’s a direct highway to the bloodstream.
What About PFAS?
You’ve likely heard of "forever chemicals." Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used to make things water-resistant or grease-proof. Some third-party lab testing, notably by Mamavation, has detected organic fluorine (a marker for PFAS) in the wrappers or the strings of certain tampon brands.
While the levels found were generally low, the concern with PFAS is bioaccumulation. They don't leave your body easily. They stay. They build up. Over a lifetime of using thousands of tampons, that "trace amount" starts to look a lot more significant.
The "Organic" Marketing Trap
Many people switched to organic cotton tampons thinking they were escaping the chemical soup. But as the UC Berkeley study showed, organic doesn't mean "pure."
Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, which is great for the planet and reduces your exposure to glyphosate (Roundup). That is a win. However, because organic cotton is often grown in soil that hasn't been treated with synthetic fertilizers, the plants might actually be more stressed and absorb more minerals—including the bad ones like arsenic—from the earth.
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Also, "organic" only refers to the cotton. It doesn't necessarily cover the string, the "wicking" layer (often a plastic mesh), or the lubricants used on the applicator.
Understanding the Actual Risk
Here is the part where we need some nuance. Detection does not always equal danger.
The UC Berkeley study measured the presence of metals, not how much of those metals actually leave the tampon and enter your blood. We don't have that data yet. The human body is also fairly resilient. We ingest lead and arsenic in our drinking water and our rice every day.
However, the cumulative effect is what researchers like Jenni Shearston are worried about. We need more studies. We need the FDA to mandate testing for these specific contaminants before products hit the shelves, rather than relying on independent scientists to catch it after the fact.
How to Minimize Your Exposure
You probably aren't going to stop having a period tomorrow. So, what do you do? If you're worried about what chemicals are in tampons, you have several options that can lower your "toxic load."
- Ditch the Scent: This is the easiest win. Scented tampons provide zero health benefits and significantly increase your chemical exposure. Always choose "unscented."
- Look for TCF: "Totally Chlorine-Free" is superior to "Elemental Chlorine-Free." It’s a cleaner process.
- Switch to Menstrual Cups or Discs: Most of these are made from medical-grade silicone. Since they are reusable, you aren't constantly introducing new materials to your body every few hours. They don't absorb your natural moisture either, which keeps the vaginal microbiome happier.
- Period Underwear: Brands have had their own PFAS scandals (looking at you, Thinx), so check for third-party lab certifications before buying. But generally, high-quality period undies reduce the need for internal products.
- Vary Your Products: Don't use tampons 24/7. Use pads or undies at night to give your body a break.
The Path Forward
The "tampon gate" of 2024 and 2025 has forced a long-overdue conversation about menstrual equity and safety. For too long, period products were treated like "medical devices" that didn't require full ingredient transparency. We are finally seeing a shift.
Legislation like the Menstrual Products Right to Know Act is a start, but as a consumer, your power is in your wallet. Support brands that publish their third-party lab results for heavy metals and PFAS. Demand more than just a "pretty" box.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Cycle:
- Check your current box for the "TCF" label. If it’s not there, consider switching when you run out.
- Avoid any product with "fragrance" or "odor neutralizers" listed on the side.
- Research brands like August, Viv, or Honey Pot, which tend to be more transparent about their sourcing and testing than the "legacy" brands.
- If you aren't ready to give up tampons, try using an applicator-free version (digital tampons). This eliminates the plastic or cardboard applicator, which is one less source of potential chemical leaching.
- Keep an eye on the ongoing longitudinal studies. The science is moving fast, and what we know today might be updated by next year.
The goal isn't to live in fear. It’s to be informed. Now that you know what chemicals are in tampons, you can make a choice that feels right for your body and your peace of mind.