Senator Julia Coleman (R-Waconia) has introduced Senate File 376, a bill aimed at protecting Minnesotans’ health by eliminating dangerous toxins—such as arsenic and lead—from menstrual products sold in the state. The legislation would also require transparent labeling and regular testing to ensure product safety.
“Women deserve to know what’s in the products they use in and on their bodies,” said Sen. Coleman. “For too long, toxins like arsenic and lead have gone unregulated in products that people use monthly for decades of their lives. This is not just a women’s health issue—it’s a public health issue.”
The hidden threat in menstrual products
Recent studies have found heavy metals such as arsenic and lead in a wide range of period products, including tampons and pads. These toxins have been linked to reproductive harm, hormonal disruption, cancer, and developmental issues in children. Because these products come into direct contact with some of the most absorbent tissue in the human body, even low levels of contamination can have significant health effects over time.
“These chemicals don’t belong anywhere near our bodies,” said Sen. Coleman. “Minnesota has a responsibility to lead on this issue and ensure safety for everyone—because the effects don’t stop at the person using the product.”
From landfills to lakes: The environmental impact
The harmful chemicals in menstrual products don’t just stay in the trash. When disposed of, these products break down and leach toxins into the environment. In Minnesota, 98 out of 101 landfills leach into groundwater, putting our lakes, rivers, and even drinking water at risk.
“Clean water is a bipartisan issue,” said Sen. Coleman. “No parent—Republican or Democrat—wants their child drinking water contaminated with hormone-disrupting chemicals that came from menstrual products disposed in a landfill.”
Avonna Starck, State Director of Clean Water Action Minnesota, emphasized the far-reaching environmental consequences:
“When toxic chemicals in menstrual products enter our waste streams—whether flushed or thrown away—they don’t just disappear. They make their way into our drinking water, our farmlands, and ultimately, our bodies,” said Starck. “At Clean Water Action Minnesota, we’re deeply grateful to Senator Coleman for bringing attention to this critical issue and taking action to protect both public health and the integrity of Minnesota’s water systems.”
S.F. 376 is part of a growing movement to prioritize transparency and safety in personal care products. It builds on Minnesota’s past success in banning toxic substances and reflects a shared value among Minnesotans: protecting our families and our environment.
“This bill is simple,” Coleman added. “We’re asking manufacturers to take the toxins out—and tell us what’s in their products. Because Minnesotans have a right to safe products and clean water.”