Overview

• A PAN UK-led report found glyphosate at 0.004 mg/kg in one tampon sample, 40 times above the 0.0001 mg/kg limit for drinking water.
• Vaginal absorption of pesticides bypasses detoxification pathways, heightening risks linked to cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
• Residue likely stems from cotton cultivation, where up to 300 pesticides are applied globally to grow a single crop.
• UK law currently does not require safety testing or full ingredient disclosure for period products.
• Researchers and advocacy groups propose a formal testing regime and mandatory transparency to guarantee menstrual products are free of harmful chemicals.