FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Sophia Wilson, swilson@asyousow.org, (341) 600-1832

Berkeley, California, July 18, 2024—In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley discovered several toxic metals in 30 tampons across 18 product lines from 14 major tampon brands, fueling widespread doubt about the safety of this commonly used product and their manufacturers.

The article published in Environmental International, a leading environmental health science journal, found that cotton and rayon tampons may also contain metals from agriculture or manufacturing in its August 2024 issue. While further study is needed, these metals could be absorbed into the body and result in systemic exposure. Highlights from the study include:

• Several toxic metals, including lead, were detected

• The highest concentration was found for zinc

• 16 metal(loid)s were evaluated in different kinds of tampons

Leading tampon manufacturers appear to have broadly declined to comment on the study and the potential risks to consumers and their brands from this fresh wave of public safety concerns. The continuous inclusion of toxins, like heavy metals and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), widely used, long-lasting chemicals linked to harmful health effects to humans), erodes public trust in brands while potentially exposing companies to litigation and long-term financial risk. 

“Trust in a company is critical to its long-term viability, especially with consumer care products. Consumers want to know that the companies they buy from, and the brands they choose, make the health and safety of their products a first priority, backed up day after day across all their product lines,” said Danielle Fugere, President and Chief Counsel at As You Sow. “Safety is not a luxury. With widespread, publicly available testing, corporations can no longer rely on weak government standards to protect their bottom lines. Consumers are better informed and actively seeking safe and sustainable products. Companies that are vigilant in their processes and materials, the standards they demand of suppliers, and in the testing undertaken to ensure safety, will be successful in this evolving consumer market that places health and safety at the forefront.”

In April of 2024, As You Sow filed a proposal asking Procter & Gamble to disclose how the company manages health and environmental risks associated with PFAS in its products, specifically its Tampax brand. The Federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has linked PFAS to cancer, low birth rates, high blood pressure, and immune system changes, which have received significant public attention in recent years. The Procter & Gamble resolution will be voted on at the company’s Annual General Meeting in October

# # #
As You Sow is the nation’s leading shareholder representative, with a 30-year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility and advancing values-aligned investing. Its issue areas include climate change, ocean plastics, toxins in the food system, biodiversity, racial justice, and workplace diversity. Click here to view As You Sow’s shareholder resolution tracker.