You may have seen headlines recently about a study that found heavy metals in some of the most common tampon brands. While the topic sounds alarming, it’s also an important reminder of why ingredient transparency matters — not just in food and skincare, but in everything that comes in contact with your body.
Environment International in July 2024 tested tampons from 14 brands (including organic and non-organic varieties) and detected measurable levels of 16 different metals — including lead, arsenic, and cadmium1. Surprisingly, the researchers found that non-organic brands had higher levels of lead, while organic brands showed higher arsenic levels. However, the study did not determine whether these metals are actually absorbed by the body during use, which is a crucial unknown at this stage.
The FDA responded by launching its own investigation to assess how much — if any — of these metals might leach out during normal use. They’re currently reviewing published research and conducting lab-based simulations to understand the potential risks more clearly2. For now, the FDA maintains that approved tampons remain safe but agrees that more research is needed.
At Nature’s Complement, we talk a lot about why healthy and clean ingredients matter — and this is one of those moments that reinforces it. Whether it’s what you put on your skin or use daily in personal care, transparency and integrity in ingredients aren’t optional — they’re essential.
It’s not just about what’s listed on the label — it’s also about knowing the brand behind the product. Where is it made? How are ingredients sourced? Are those claims backed by real values or just clever marketing? In today’s crowded marketplace, these questions matter more than ever.
That’s why we encourage you to be proactive: read your labels, learn what’s inside the products you use, and make choices that align with your values and your health. Because at the end of the day, no one looks out for you like you do.
And while we at Nature’s Complement don’t offer products like tampons, we believe that education is essential. We share these insights to help expand your awareness — because informed choices are our most powerful tools.
For Health,
Tober
References
- Mitro, S. D., et al. (2024). Metals in tampons from the US and Europe. Environment International, Volume 187, 107200.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024004355 - U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Biocompatibility and Toxicology Program Research on Medical Devices.
https://www.fda.gov/…/biocompatibility-and-toxicology
Nature's Complement is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. If you purchase products on Amazon through any of our affiliate links, we get a small percentage of the transaction, at no extra cost to you. We spend a lot of time writing the articles on this site, and all this information is provided free of charge. When you use our affiliate links, you support the writing you enjoy without necessarily buying our products. (However we would appreciate if you would do that too!) Thank you for helping to support our work, however you choose to do so.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information and/or products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
