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If headlines about heavy metals in tampons raised concerns, the Food and Drug Administration says there's some reassuring news.A new agency study found trace amounts of metals including arsenic, cadmium and lead in tampons sold in the U.S., but concluded the levels released during use are too low to pose a health risk.The findings are the FDA's latest response to a widely publicized 2024 study that detected metals in popular tampon brands and sparked questions about possible health effects. After analyzing 11 tampon products from six brands, FDA researchers found that while metals can be detected in the products, exposure during normal use remains far below levels considered harmful.What did the FDA find?The FDA detected 19 metals in the tampon products it tested, including arsenic, cadmium and lead. Researchers found that 15 metals appeared in more than 90% of samples, though the agency concluded all detected metals remained within established safety margins.The highest metal concentrations found in the tampons were calcium, zinc, arsenic and cadmium, according to the study.How do metals get into tampons?According to the FDA, metals occur naturally in the environment and may end up in tampons through the raw materials used to make them, such as cotton and rayon. Some metals may also be intentionally added for pigments or introduced through manufacturing processes.The study found products made primarily from rayon tended to have higher concentrations of barium, lithium and zinc, while products made mostly from cotton had higher levels of calcium, iron, strontium and vanadium.Researchers said metals can also be absorbed from soil, water, fertilizers and other environmental sources before the materials are processed into consumer products.How does the FDA evaluate tampon safety?Tampons are regulated by the FDA as medical devices. Before products can be sold in the U.S., manufacturers must provide data showing they are safe and effective, including testing related to performance and potential health risks.Products marketed in the U.S. must also comply with FDA requirements covering manufacturing, labeling and reporting device problems. After products reach consumers, the agency continues oversight through inspections and monitoring of safety reports.Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com.
