Congresswoman Summer Lee Leads Call Urging FDA to Act on Tampon Safety Following Alarming Study

**For Immediate Release**

Kyla Gill, Kyla.Gill@mail.house.gov 

Vaibhav Vijay, Vaibhav.Vijay@mail.house.gov 

Congresswoman Summer Lee Leads Call Urging FDA to Act on Tampon Safety Following Alarming Study

Washington, DC – September 9th, 2024 – Last week, Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12), alongside her colleagues in the Democratic Women’s Caucus, including Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) and Policy Co-Chairs Kathy Manning (NC-06) and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), led a call to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf, M.D., to address serious safety concerns regarding the ingredients in tampons and their potential health impacts.

This letter follows the release of a July 2024 study from researchers at Columbia University, the University of California Berkeley, and Michigan State University, that found potentially harmful metals in tampons sold by over a dozen brands. This study contributes to a growing body of research that shows that tampons contain metals and other harmful materials, such as forever chemicals. Research also shows that these materials can enter the body, as tampons can cause tiny tears in the vagina, leaving women vulnerable to toxic metals and chemicals. 

“Women use about 7,400 tampons over the course of their reproductive years, so the presence of potentially harmful metals and chemicals in these products is incredibly concerning” the members wrote. “Exposure to heavy metals can cause severe negative health effects, including damage to the cardiovascular system and liver, and an increased risk of cancer among many other complications.”  “The FDA must review and improve the current safety standards for tampons,” the members implored. “We urge the FDA to take swift action to ensure that women are safe from harmful and toxic substances in tampons.” 

DWC’s Policy Co-Chairs Kathy Manning and Ayanna Pressley and members Rep. Summer Lee and Rep. Grace Meng further explained the importance of the FDA addressing these safety concerns: 

“As a nation, we cannot afford to overlook the health and safety of the millions of people who rely on tampons every day. The findings of this study are alarming and highlight the urgent need for stricter safety standards,” said Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12). “Everyone deserves transparency and assurance that the products they use won’t harm their health. I stand with my colleagues in urging the FDA to take immediate action to protect all individuals from exposure to harmful metals and chemicals in tampons.”  

“Tampons are essential menstrual hygiene products used by over 30 million women of reproductive age in the United States,” said Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06). “That’s why I’m joining my Democratic Women’s Caucus colleagues to call on the FDA to swiftly address safety concerns posed by tampon ingredients. No woman should have to question the safety of these necessary, everyday products.”

“It’s unconscionable to think that women could be putting their health and lives at risk simply by using basic, essential hygiene products like tampons,” said Congresswoman Pressley, DWC Policy Co-Chair. “In light of this alarming report, we’re calling on the FDA to take urgent action to ensure the safety of these products, protect the health of those who depend on them, and give women the peace of mind that they can use them without putting themselves at risk.”  

“Millions of American consumers use tampons. They should be able to trust that the products they see on store shelves are properly regulated and will not negatively affect their health and wellbeing,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06). “I have long championed efforts to make menstrual products safer, and now my colleagues and I are calling on the FDA to take immediate action to address harmful chemicals and metals found in dozens of tampon brands. We cannot stand by while essential menstrual hygiene products are putting millions of Americans’ health and safety at risk.” 

Read the full letter HERE and below. 

_____________________ 

September 4, 2024 

The Honorable Robert Califf, M.D.  

Commissioner 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration 

10903 New Hampshire Avenue 

Silver Spring, Maryland 2090 

Dear Commissioner Califf: 

As members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, we write to urge you to swiftly address safety concerns over the ingredients in tampons and the potential health impacts.  

In July 2024, a study by researchers at Columbia University, the University of California Berkeley, and Michigan State University, found the presence of sixteen potentially harmful metals in tampons sold by over a dozen unique brands.1 Their study adds to a growing body of research about chemicals found in tampons. 

A separate study has shown that the metals in tampons can be absorbed through contact, since tampons can cause tiny tears in the vagina, which may allow chemicals to enter the body.2 A 2019 study published in Environmental Health observed that concentrations of blood mercury were higher among tampon users.3  

Exposure to heavy metals can cause severe negative health effects, including damage to the cardiovascular system and liver, and an increased risk of cancer among many other complications.4 Metals are not the only harmful substance detected in tampons and other menstrual products; studies have also reported levels of “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS, in addition to phthalates and parabens. Women use about 7,400 tampons over the course of their reproductive years, so the presence of potentially harmful metals and chemicals in these products is incredibly concerning.5 

Since tampons are regulated as medical devices, manufacturers aren’t required to disclose their chemical ingredients nor does the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) require ingredients used in menstrual products like tampons to meet any kind of safety standard. In 2021, New York became the first state to enact a menstrual product disclosure law requiring companies to list all intentionally added ingredients on packaging. Last year, California passed a similar law, but it gives manufacturers trade secret protections, so not all ingredients are necessarily disclosed. At least six other states have introduced legislation to address safety and disclosure of ingredients in these products. 

The FDA must review and improve the current safety standards for tampons. We urge the FDA to take swift action to ensure that women are safe from harmful and toxic substances in tampons. We look forward to reviewing your plan to address these concerns and working with you on this issue.  

Sincerely, 

Summer L. Lee  

Member of Congress 

Grace Meng  

Member of Congress 

Kathy Manning 

Member of Congress 

Co-Chair, Policy Task Force, Democratic Women’s Caucus 

Ayanna Pressley 

Member of Congress 

Co-Chair, Policy Task Force, Democratic Women’s Caucus 

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Since taking office in January 2023, Lee, who serves on the House Oversight Committee and Space, Science and Technology Committee, has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $1.85 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs.  Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 2,600 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.