AHPMA statement on NGO report on tampons and trace levels of glyphosate

Consumers can be assured that tampons are a safe way of managing their period

Tampons are safe products, made according to rigorous Government product safety regulation and safety standards.  Safety of products is of paramount importance to AHPMA members who produce the vast majority of tampons on the UK market. The components of tampons undergo thorough safety assessment.  The tampon industry has developed scientifically sound methods for testing menstrual products including screening for trace substances.

AHPMA is aware of a number of press articles relating to a report which claimed a small study conducted on 15 boxes of tampons, identified traces of glyphosate in one of the boxes. Tampon users can be assured that the levels of glyphosate claimed to be detected in this recent study fall many times below the industry safety threshold.

Today’s analytical testing methods and equipment are so advanced and sensitive that they can detect substances at miniscule levels throughout our environment including air, soil, water, food and clothes. This does not mean that these levels are unsafe.  The industry also continues to reduce residual trace elements from manufacturing processes.

The authors of the report state the levels of glyphosate that were detected to be 40 times the levels permitted for drinking water, the level for which corresponds to one part in 10 billion. This limit is not a health-based standard, it is based on the limit set by the EU Commission to reflect the limit of testing methodology at that time, and as an environmental policy to limit pesticides.1  The comparison is misleading as water is ingested in volume on a daily basis, (the NHS recommended intake of fluids is 2 litres or 6-8 cups per day2), whereas tampons are worn only during menstruation and each tampon is fully removed and disposed of after use.

The authors cannot confirm if the traces were found in all of the tampons in the box or a single tampon. The study and its results are not published, and the details in the report are minimal, and so it is not possible to comment on the study methodology or results. We would welcome the test data being shared so that we could examine and understand the results.

Millions of tampons are used safely around the world every day and have been for many decades.  Menstrual products such as tampons perform an essential role in managing menstruation in a safe, hygienic and effective way. Consumers can be assured that tampons are a safe way of managing their period.

For more detailed information please contact AHPMA.

Contact:  Tracy Stewart
Email: stewart.t@ahpma.co.uk
Phone: 01483 962984

References:
1. UK Drinking Water Inspectorate
2. NHS

Editors Notes:

• The Absorbent Hygiene Manufacturers Association (AHPMA) is the UK Trade Association representing manufacturers of single use absorbent menstrual products, nappies and incontinence products
• Tampons may be made of rayon, cotton, or a blend of the two.

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