You Don’t Need To Worry About Pesticides In Your Tampons

The very problematic science behind some recent headlines.

Pictured: Bamboo tampons. Did you know that “bamboo” fibers like this are actually just rayon? Now you do. Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

For half of humanity, tampons are a basic necessity. Like toilet paper, they are a relatively modern solution to a problem that’s been irritating people for a very long time. They’re popular, with half of all women preferring tampons to other menstrual products, and around 80% using tampons as part of their routine.

And, according to recent headlines, they are dangerous. As reported by The Guardian and Women’s Health, tampons may have worryingly high levels of pesticides in them that could be poisoning you from the inside.

Pictured: Scary? Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash

Fortunately for the large proportion of people who’ve used tampons, this is ridiculous alarmism. In reality, the new data shows that pesticide levels are incredibly low in tampons, well below a rate that could cause any concerns.

The Data

The new data comes from a group called the Pesticides Action Network, or PAN. They are a charity from the UK whose aims include “eliminate hazardous pesticides” and “reduce dependence” on ALL pesticides by lobbying the…