Four female House Democrats addressed a letter to the FDA commissioner on Thursday, emphasizing the urgent need for the agency to address safety and regulatory concerns associated with tampons.
hide caption
Lawmakers are urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enhance scrutiny over the ingredients present in tampons following a significant study that discovered toxic metals in products from over a dozen well-known brands.
The Democratic Women’s Caucus has called upon the FDA to “review and improve the current safety standards for tampons” in a letter directed to Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf.
“We urge the FDA to take immediate action to safeguard women against harmful substances in tampons,” the lawmakers stated. “We are eager to review your proposed plan to tackle these concerns and collaborate on this matter.”
The request does not include a specific timeline or mention of next steps.
The letter, signed by Reps. Summer Lee, Grace Meng, Kathy Manning, and Ayanna Pressley, highlights the collective concern of the Democratic Women’s Caucus representing all Democratic women in the U.S. House of Representatives.
An FDA spokesperson confirmed receipt of the letter and stated that the agency will respond directly to the Caucus.
Concerns regarding tampon safety and the need for more stringent regulations are longstanding. Over a dozen studies in recent years have evaluated various chemicals found in everyday menstrual products, including a 2019 study that cited higher mercury concentrations in tampon users.
However, the urgency escalated in July when a groundbreaking study published in Environment International identified 16 heavy metals, including lead, in several tampon brands. The brands implicated remained unnamed.
Exposure to heavy metals has been linked to numerous health risks, from cardiovascular and neurological harm to increased cancer risks and adverse maternal and fetal health effects.
The study authors note that further research is required to determine whether these metals can leach into the body and what health impacts they may cause.
Moreover, they emphasize the necessity for transparency, particularly as millions of Americans rely on tampons, potentially using over 7,400 during their reproductive years.
When discussing the metals study, the FDA acknowledged the research’s “limitations” but affirmed its commitment to investigate the matter.
As a proactive measure, the FDA has commissioned an independent review and initiated a laboratory study to assess metal presence in tampons, with findings expected to be released post peer-review.
The FDA does not currently mandate chemical testing for tampons.
The FDA classifies tampons as medical devices, which exempts manufacturers from disclosing ingredients on labels unlike typical consumer products.
The FDA’s 2005 tampon guidance does not enforce chemical contaminant testing and recommends—but does not mandate—that tampons be free of toxic compounds like dioxin and pesticide residues.
Chemicals may enter tampons through contaminated raw materials or added intentionally for odor control.
Before tampons are sold in the U.S., they must comply with FDA standards for safety and effectiveness. This process includes assessing potentially harmful substances and understanding their absorption risks.
“The FDA review requires manufacturers to submit data confirming the safety of materials used in tampons, their absorbency, and the potential impact on bacteria growth,” the agency explained.
The Center for Baby and Adult Hygiene Products defended the safety of menstrual products, stating in a 2022 release that all hygiene products undergo thorough safety assessments beyond the regulatory framework’s requirements.
They emphasized that any detected chemicals are not intentionally added, attributing them to environmental exposure or even derived from the human body.
This latest letter reflects ongoing congressional interest in ensuring the safety of menstrual products.
Senator Patty Murray urged a detailed review from the FDA concerning the metals study, emphasizing the need to evaluate the safety of menstrual products.
In the absence of comprehensive federal standards, several states have begun implementing their own regulations.
New York became the pioneer state mandating ingredient disclosure on menstrual product packaging, effective 2021, with California and Nevada following with similar regulations.
Previous congressional efforts to enhance tampon regulations have not succeeded, such as the proposed Menstrual Products Right to Know Act introduced in 2022.
The House Appropriations Committee has voiced concerns over the safety of fragrance ingredients in menstrual products, directing the FDA to evaluate and compile a list of potentially harmful compounds.
The FDA is actively working to update its guidelines in response to these findings while engaging with stakeholders during the review process.
In recent years, various other states have enacted laws mandating ingredient disclosures. Vermont has notably banned PFAS chemicals in menstrual products, scheduled to take effect in 2026, while additional states are in the process of phasing out these harmful substances.
