It’s been a weird, stressful year for anyone who uses tampons. Honestly, it feels like every time we turn around, there’s another report about something in our daily lives being "toxic," and the tampon class action lawsuit surge is the latest chapter in that saga.
Last year, a study from UC Berkeley dropped like a bomb. Researchers looked at 30 different tampons from 14 brands and found 16 different metals. We’re talking lead, arsenic, and cadmium. Yeah, the heavy stuff. Since then, the legal world has been moving fast. People are rightfully freaked out. If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or news alerts wondering if your preferred brand is actually safe, you aren't alone.
The Metal Problem and Why the Lawsuits Started
Basically, the whole thing kicked off because of that 2024 study led by Jenni Shearston. They found lead in 100% of the tampons they tested. It didn’t matter if they were organic, non-organic, name-brand, or store-brand.
Wait. Let that sink in.
Even the "pure" organic brands that charge a premium for being "clean" had metals. Actually, organic tampons often had higher levels of arsenic, while the conventional ones had more lead. It’s kinda ironic, isn't it? You pay more to avoid chemicals, and you end up with a different kind of contaminant.
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Naturally, the lawyers jumped in. By late 2024 and throughout 2025, several massive tampon class action lawsuit filings targeted the biggest players in the game: Procter & Gamble (Tampax) and Kimberly-Clark (Kotex).
What the lawyers are actually saying
The lawsuits aren't just saying "there is lead here." They are focused on deceptive marketing.
If a box says "100% Organic" or "Clinically Tested Safe," and there is lead inside that isn't mentioned on the label, lawyers argue that's a lie. It’s about the "Right to Know." In California, there’s a law called Proposition 65. It says companies have to warn you if a product has chemicals that cause cancer or reproductive harm. The current lawsuits, like Barton v. The Procter & Gamble Company, allege that the lead levels in Tampax Pearl exceed California’s "Safe Harbor" limits.
Where the Tampon Class Action Lawsuit Stands Right Now
If you're looking for a quick payout check in the mail next week, don't hold your breath.
These cases are currently in the "motion to dismiss" and "discovery" phases. In August 2025, a federal judge in California, Gonzalo Curiel, gave a big green light to a major case against P&G. He basically said the plaintiffs had enough evidence for the case to move forward. He didn't say the tampons are dangerous—that's for a jury to decide later—but he said the claim that consumers were misled is "plausible."
- Tampax (Procter & Gamble): Facing multiple class actions in California and Ohio (like Sanchez v. P&G). The focus is mainly on Tampax Pearl and Radiant lines.
- Kotex (Kimberly-Clark): Similar lawsuits regarding lead content in U by Kotex Click tampons.
- Playtex & o.b. (Edgewell): These brands have been hit with suits as well, though some specific "forever chemical" (PFAS) claims were dismissed earlier because the testing was deemed "insufficient."
P&G and Kimberly-Clark aren't just sitting there. They are fighting back hard. Their main argument? The FDA says tampons are safe. They also argue that "measurable" doesn't mean "meaningful." Just because a machine can find a microscopic trace of lead doesn't mean your body is absorbing it.
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The FDA's stance (and why it's complicated)
The FDA actually did their own review in late 2024. They said, "Hey, we looked at the literature, and we don't see a safety concern yet."
But there is a catch.
The FDA's review was a "literature review"—meaning they just read old studies. They are currently doing a "bench study" to see if the metals actually leach out of the tampon and into the body. This is the million-dollar question. If the lead stays trapped in the cotton and never enters your bloodstream, the health risk is basically zero. But if the vaginal walls (which are super absorbent) soak it up? That’s a whole different story.
Should You Be Worried?
Look, nobody wants lead anywhere near their body. Lead is a neurotoxin. There is no "safe" level of lead according to the WHO.
However, we need some perspective here. The levels found in these tampons were often lower than what you might find in some drinking water or food. The real issue is the cumulative effect. If you use 20 tampons a month for 30 years, does that add up? We honestly don't know yet.
If you're feeling uneasy, you've got options. Some people are switching to menstrual cups, discs, or period underwear. Others are sticking with tampons but looking for brands that have started voluntarily publishing their heavy metal testing results.
What you can do today
If you’ve used these brands and you’re worried, you don't necessarily need to call a lawyer immediately unless you have documented health issues you believe are related. But you should stay informed.
- Save your receipts: If a settlement is eventually reached, you’ll usually need proof of purchase to get more than a few dollars back.
- Check for updates: These legal battles move at a snail's pace. We likely won't see a "settlement website" until 2027 or later, assuming the companies don't win their motions to dismiss.
- Talk to your doctor: If you’re concerned about heavy metal exposure, a simple blood test can often check your lead levels.
The tampon class action lawsuit isn't just about money. It’s about forcing an industry that has been largely self-regulated for decades to be more transparent. We deserve to know exactly what is in the products we use in the most sensitive parts of our bodies.
Keep an eye on the FDA's "bench study" results expected later this year. That data will likely decide whether these lawsuits turn into massive settlements or just fade away into legal history.
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Next Steps for Consumers:
Check the official FDA Medical Device safety alerts for any formal recalls, as no tampons have been recalled as of early 2026. If you wish to join an active class action, search for "Tampon Lead Class Action Member Portal" to find firms currently representing California or Ohio residents. Be wary of "scam" ads on social media; only provide information to verified legal firms or through official court-authorized settlement sites.