Tampons Tainted: Glyphosate Levels Exceed ⁤Drinking Water Limits

Updated May 28, 2025
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A recent report ⁣reveals that some tampons sold in the United Kingdom ⁢contain levels of glyphosate, a controversial pesticide, that ⁢are 40 times higher than the legal limit for drinking water. The findings, released by the Pesticide Action Network UK (pan UK), the Women’s⁢ Environmental Network, and the Pesticide Collaboration, have sparked concerns about women’s health and safety.

The study tested 15⁢ boxes of tampons⁢ from⁢ various popular brands available in UK ⁣stores. Glyphosate ‍was⁢ detected in⁢ one box at ⁤a concentration of 0.004 mg/kg.This significantly exceeds the UK and EU maximum residue level of ⁤0.0001 mg/kg ⁤for drinking water.

Glyphosate, the world’s‍ most widely used herbicide, has been classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans” by the‍ International agency for research on Cancer, part of the World Health Institution. It has also been ⁣linked to Parkinson’s disease,and emerging research suggests⁤ potential links to other serious health conditions.

The authors of the report emphasize that⁤ chemicals absorbed through the vagina bypass the body’s detoxification systems, directly entering⁢ the bloodstream. This means even small traces ‍of chemicals in direct‍ contact with the ‍vagina could pose health⁣ risks.

Amy Heley, from the Pesticide Collaboration, saeid: “If this level of glyphosate is ⁣deemed to be unsafe‍ in the ⁤water we drink, why is it allowed to appear in our period products? our examination reveals that women, girls and those⁤ who menstruate may not be protected from exposure to harmful chemicals. And yet, most people remain completely⁣ unaware that this ‍is even an issue.”

The presence of glyphosate in tampons is likely due to its use in growing cotton, a primary ⁤ingredient in ⁤many ⁤tampons. Cotton crops are known to be heavily treated with pesticides.

Despite ‍previous studies⁣ finding heavy ‍metals like lead and arsenic in tampons, the UK government currently has no plans to regulate⁣ chemicals in period products.

Josie Cohen,the interim director at ‍Pan UK,said: “We were genuinely shocked to find glyphosate in tampons sitting on UK shelves. This harmful chemical is already impossible to avoid since it’s sprayed by councils in streets‍ and parks and contaminates much of our food and water due to ⁣its overuse in farming.”

“We urgently need to reduce our overall toxic load and ⁣shouldn’t have ⁣to worry about glyphosate and other highly ⁣hazardous pesticides in our period products. This is a blatant gap in health and⁣ safety regulation that the government urgently needs to address.”

What’s next

The report’s authors are advocating for a⁣ regulatory framework that includes testing to ensure period products are free from pesticides. They hope to raise awareness and⁢ prompt government action to ‍protect consumers from potential health risks associated⁤ with chemical‍ exposure in ⁢menstrual products.