Toxic pesticide levels have been discovered in tampons at levels exceeding the legal limit for drinking water. A report by the Pesticide Action Network UK (Pan UK), the Women’s Environmental Network, and the Pesticide Collaboration revealed that traces of glyphosate, a pesticide linked to cancer, were found at significantly high levels in menstrual products. This finding is alarming as chemicals absorbed through the vagina enter the bloodstream directly, bypassing the body’s detoxification mechanisms, potentially posing health risks even with minimal exposure.
The study involved testing 15 boxes of tampons from various popular brands sold by UK retailers. Glyphosate was detected in one of the boxes at a concentration of 0.004 mg/kg. Comparatively, the permitted levels of glyphosate in drinking water in the UK and EU are 0.0001 mg/kg, making the level found in the tampons 40 times higher than the legal limit.
Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide globally, has been classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a branch of the World Health Organization. Furthermore, research has linked glyphosate to the development of serious health conditions like Parkinson’s disease, raising concerns about its potential impact on human health.
Amy Heley from the Pesticide Collaboration expressed concern over the presence of glyphosate in period products, questioning why a substance deemed unsafe in drinking water is allowed in menstrual hygiene items. The investigation highlights the potential exposure of women, girls, and menstruating individuals to harmful chemicals without their knowledge, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and regulatory scrutiny.
The researchers suggest that glyphosate may have contaminated the tampons through the use of weedkillers in cotton cultivation, a key component of these products. A breakdown product of glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), was also detected on the tampons. Cotton is among the most pesticide-dependent crops globally, with up to 300 different pesticides used in its production.
Despite previous findings of heavy metals like lead and arsenic in tampons, the UK government has not outlined plans to address chemical residues in period products. Josie Cohen, the interim director at Pan UK, emphasized the urgent need to reduce overall toxic exposure and called for regulatory actions to ensure period products are free from hazardous pesticides.
Glyphosate’s widespread use in the UK includes clearing fields before crop sowing and controlling weed growth. While farmers advocate for its efficacy in managing weeds, concerns extend beyond human health to its detrimental effects on biodiversity. Research has shown adverse impacts on wild bee populations and aquatic organisms, prompting calls to ban glyphosate from urban areas.
Efforts by some UK councils to adopt chemical-free weed control methods or allow natural vegetation growth demonstrate a shift towards reducing pesticide usage. Despite these initiatives, the presence of harmful chemicals in everyday products like tampons underscores the need for stricter regulations and consumer awareness to safeguard public health.
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