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)