A report from the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) and Pesticide Action Network UK has sounded the alarm over harmful chemicals found in menstrual products available at popular retailers throughout Britain. The research uncovered “harmful chemicals and pesticides” in these personal care items, including concerning levels of glyphosate, the most extensively used herbicide globally.
The World Health Organisation has categorised glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, suggesting a possible association with cancer. Shockingly, one box of tampons was found to contain glyphosate at concentrations 40 times above the legal limit for drinking water.
This contamination is thought to stem from the use of the pesticide on cotton crops, which are then used in manufacturing tampons. Some tampons were also discovered to have traces of Chlorpyrifos, an insecticide outlawed in the UK for its neurotoxic properties.
The report underscored the gravity of the issue: “Given that there are no safe levels of certain chemicals, the safety margins for residues in period products should be below the level of detection.”
Ruby Raut, Founder and CEO of WUKA, voiced grave concerns regarding the findings, stating: “The vagina is one of the most absorbent parts of the body, chemicals absorbed here bypass the body’s detox systems and go straight into the bloodstream, unlike when ingested through food or water. This isn’t just irresponsible, it’s dangerous! It’s outrageous that in 2025, we’re still finding pesticides and chemicals linked to serious health conditions in period products.”
A recent report has criticised the shocking lack of UK regulation on period products, as manufacturers are not obliged to list ingredients, reports the Express. This loophole allows pesticide residues to linger in the finished product without any specific rules to prevent it.
The report also casts a spotlight on the difficulties faced by the farmers who cultivate the raw materials. It stated: “Cotton farmers are being exposed to toxic pesticides at concerning levels. Many cotton farmers are women, who face the health risks of working with pesticides both on the farm and in the home on a daily basis.”
Ruby Raut added: “It is simply unacceptable that in this day and age, we still don’t know what is inside the products we use in our most intimate areas of our bodies. We need transparency. We need accountability. And we need real reform in this industry – because everyone who menstruates deserves better.”
The report calls on policymakers to take action by enforcing strict testing of period products and legally mandating full disclosure of ingredients and additives. It also advocates for the inclusion of certified organic single-use disposables in school free period product schemes.
WEN is further pushing for legislation specifically targeting menstrual health, dignity, and sustainability.
Alarmingly, these distressing findings about the menstrual product sector are not new. In 2024, a pilot study disclosed that several well-known tampon brands were found to contain toxic metals and arsenic, both associated with long-term reproductive and neurological harm.
Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
