Your Tampons Might Contain Heavy Metals

What's Happening

Health

Your Tampons Might Contain Heavy Metals

What's going on: New research has found that tampons from popular brands, including organic ones, may contain toxic metals. A team of researchers from UC Berkeley, Columbia University, and Michigan State University tested 30 different tampons from 14 brands and 18 product lines. Which brands? The study doesn’t say, which is not very helpful for the up to 80% of menstruating people in the US who use tampons. Here’s what we do know: Researchers tested tampons sold online and in NYC, London, and Athens. They found “measurable concentrations” of 16 metals — including toxic ones like lead and arsenic — in every single tampon. The study also noted that organic tampons contained higher levels of certain metals — likely due to the fertilizers used in the soil of organic cotton fields.

What it means: The researchers involved in the study say more analysis needs to be done, as it’s still unclear whether the metals found in tampons are contributing to negative health effects. One OBGYN, who is not part of the study, said the amount of lead found in the tampons is “far lower than what is considered concerning in our food or water.” For anyone who doesn’t want to give free bleeding a go, some experts say tampons are likely still safe. Items like menstrual cups and period underwear have also become popular alternatives. Still, another expert emphasized that it’s time for tampon manufacturers to start testing their products more rigorously.

Related: It’s Not the First Time Tampons Have Raised Alarms (theSkimm)

Politics

AOC Calls for Impeachment of Two Supreme Court Justices Over “Unchecked Corruption”

What's going on: Yesterday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and seven Democratic House members filed impeachment articles against Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. The resolutions say Thomas and Alito didn’t step aside in cases where they had a “personal bias or prejudice,” and didn’t disclose income, gifts (like free trips on private jets and yachts), and other financial details. This comes at a time when public opinion of the Supreme Court has dropped to a historic low, according to Pew Research.

What it means: AOC’s move is a long shot in a greater effort by House Democrats to reel in the court after last month’s slew of decisions left liberals in utter dismay. The impeachment articles aren’t likely to go far in the Republican-led chamber, but it is not the only effort that’s trying to hold the justices accountable. Earlier this week, two Democratic senators asked the US attorney general to appoint a special counsel to criminally investigate Justice Thomas for possible federal ethics violations related to his acceptance of travel arrangements as gifts and a loan of an expensive car from his rich donor friends.

Related: A Group of Senators Want to Block Members of Congress From Trading Stocks (Politico)

US News

There's Growing Frustration in Houston As Over a Million People Remain Without Power

What's going on: Roughly 1.4 million people in Houston are waiting for their electricity to be restored, after Hurricane Beryl knocked out power lines earlier this week. Sweltering temperatures, which can put people at risk of heat-related illnesses, have made the need to get the power back on even more urgent. This is the second time in less than two months that Houstonians have dealt with outages due to severe weather, with a previous incident in May causing widespread electricity cuts across the city. Now, patience is running thin, as many wonder when they’ll be able to feel their AC again.

What it means: Given the frequency and severity of outages in Houston, public officials and residents question whether CenterPoint, the utility company in the area, is doing enough to prepare for extreme weather. These concerns date back to at least 2021, when Texas’ power grid failed during a winter storm. The grid has also struggled to keep up with the energy demand, raising further alarm about its vulnerability. After acknowledging its aging infrastructure, CenterPoint proposed a multi-billion-dollar plan to strengthen the grid. The company is still seeking out federal and state funding to support their plan, but some experts warn that time is of the essence as extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent.

Related: Here’s How To Stay Safe During a Power Outage (AP)

Quick Hits

🗣️ What do George Clooney and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have in common? Hint: It’s got to do with the election.

🛒 If the rotisserie chicken debate taught us anything, it’s that Costco members are likely up in arms over the changes to membership fees.

✨ No, we can’t do gymnastics. But will we still try to find dupes of Team USA’s leotards? Absolutely.

🧊 If you like bed rotting, you might be stuck in a “functional freeze.”

🔎  Nice try, but we know nothing can really be deleted from the internet…not even allegations about Prince William’s affair.

Extra Credit

Tune In

Tonight, many of the world’s most legendary athletes will be under the same roof. But instead of competing, they’ll be celebrated for their achievements at the 2024 ESPY Awards — aka, the Oscars of sports. The awards show, which airs live at 8 pm ET on ABC, will be hosted by tennis phenom Serena Williams, who says she's "definitely nervous," but is most excited to see "all the ladies kind of rule the ESPYS." Fingers crossed that includes Simone Biles, Caitlin Clark, and Coco Guaff — who are among the night's top nominees. But one person you might be surprised to see? Prince Harry, whose ESPY Award announcement was met with backlash. It's no Academy Awards, but you can still count on the drama.

Settle This

BJ Novak says his famous friends are relieved when he suggests going to a fast food restaurant instead of the “cool new place.” What's your go-to for a night out?

Game Time

Brick Breaker meets word search in Spelltower, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. Try it.

Skimm Well

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Skimm Well

Mental health-related leaves of absence are up 300% since 2017 — and women accounted for 69% of those taken in 2023, according to one analysis.

In a world where it can feel challenging to take control of your mental and physical health, we’ve got you covered. The Skimm Well newsletter gives you expert-backed advice and info to do just that.