Weedkiller residue in tampons '40 times above limit for water'

Toxic pesticide levels have been found in tampons at levels 40 times higher than the legal limit for drinking water.

- Helena Horton

Traces of glyphosate, a pesticide linked to cancer, were found at very high levels in menstrual products, according to a report by the Pesticide Action Network UK (Pan UK), the Women's Environmental Network and the Pesticide Collaboration.

The authors said chemicals absorbed through the vagina directly entered the bloodstream, bypassing the body's detoxification systems. This meant even small traces of chemicals in direct contact with the vagina could pose health risks.

The researchers tested 15 boxes of tampons from UK retailers across a range of popular brands. Glyphosate was found in tampons in one box at 0.004mg/kg - 40 times higher than the 0.0001mg/kg maximum glyphosate residue level permitted in drinking water in the UK and EU.