You might’ve seen the headlines this week - and yep, we did too. A new UK investigation by The Guardian just revealed that one popular tampon brand contained toxic pesticide residues 40 times higher than the legal limit for drinking water in the UK and EU. 😳
Let’s unpack what this actually means, how it can happen - and why it’s exactly the kind of thing that makes us even more passionate about offering safe, sustainable alternatives.
First, how do pesticides even end up in tampons?
Tampons and pads are often made with cotton, and unless it’s certified organic, that cotton is frequently grown using conventional farming practices - which include spraying crops with pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
Cotton is one of the most chemically-intensive crops in the world. And here's the thing: there’s currently no standard requirement to test the raw cotton used in tampons for pesticide residues - or to remove them. Once harvested, this cotton can make its way into a product, get bleached and processed, and end up as something people use inside their bodies. That’s a huge concern when the area it's used in is among the most absorbent parts of the body.
So what does this tell us?
It shines a bright light on the lack of regulation and transparency in disposable period products. It’s not just a problem with manufacturers - it’s also a systemic issue tied to how cotton is farmed, sourced, and sold. Farmers may rely on heavy chemical use, and bulk buyers aren’t necessarily checking or testing for those chemicals once that cotton changes hands.
No one’s talking about it. But they should be.
This isn’t about panic. It’s about progress.
We’re not here to scare you. We’re here to make it easier to choose better.
At Hey Zomi, we believe period care shouldn’t come with mystery ingredients or hidden risks. That’s why our menstrual disc is made from 100% medical-grade, BPA-free silicone - with no cotton, no plastic, no bleach, and no pesticides. Just one reusable product that collects your flow safely, without absorbing it (or reabsorbing anything unwanted).
🌎 No waste. No toxins. No worries.
One disc replaces hundreds of tampons and pads every year. That means fewer chemicals in your body, less waste in our landfills, and way more confidence in what you’re using every month.
If this latest report has made you curious - or just a little frustrated - you’re not alone. We think it’s time to rethink how we manage periods, and to push for safer, more transparent standards in the process.
We’re here for that shift. And we’re so glad you are too.
Check out our Hey Zomi Reusable Menstrual Disc - the toxic free option. We have even been calling it a reusable tampon or tampon 2.0!! It's a level up in period care and a great solution from period products impacted by chemicals.
