Lawmakers Urge FDA To Address Tampon Safety

Lawmakers are urging the FDA to address safety concerns about tampons after a recent study found toxic metals in products from over a dozen popular brands. Four Democratic members of the House sent a letter to the FDA, calling for stricter safety standards and transparency in labeling. The study, published in Environment International in July 2024, detected 16 heavy metals, including lead, in various tampon brands. These metals have been linked to serious health risks such as cancer, cardiovascular damage, and reproductive harm.

The FDA regulates tampons as medical devices but does not require chemical testing or ingredient disclosure on labels. In response to the study, the FDA commissioned an independent review and a lab study to assess the risks of metal exposure. Lawmakers, including Rep. Summer Lee and Sen. Patty Murray, are pressing for stricter regulations and ingredient transparency to protect consumers. Some states, like New York, have already enacted laws requiring menstrual product ingredient disclosure.

Source: NPR