Tampax Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Tampons Contain Unhealthy Levels of Lead

Lawsuit claims internal testing and independent studies found detectable heavy metals in popular feminine hygiene products.

A class action lawsuit alleges that certain tampons sold under the Tampax brand contain unsafe levels of lead and other heavy metals, raising concerns about long-term exposure risks for women who regularly use the products.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Anna Otkina, Wendy Rodriguez, Lareina Green and at least five other plaintiffs on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 23. It names The Procter & Gamble Company as the sole defendant.

Lead and other toxic heavy metals have been linked to numerous adverse health effects, including neurological damage, reproductive harm, cardiovascular disease and other serious concerns. As a result, health experts have long maintained that there is no known safe level of lead exposure.

In August 2024, researchers affiliated with Columbia University and the University of California, Berkeley published findings indicating that lead and other heavy metals were detected in tampons from at least 14 brands across 18 product lines sold in the U.S. The study cautioned that repeated exposure to these substances could increase the risk of reproductive harm, hormonal disruption and certain cancers in women.

The research adds to a growing number of federal and independent investigations that have identified lead and other toxic metals in everyday consumer goods, including vaping products, soft drinks and baby foods.

Heavy metal contamination in baby food has drawn particular scrutiny in recent years, as studies have linked exposure to developmental delays, learning impairments and behavioral disorders in young children. These concerns have fueled a series of toxic baby food lawsuits against companies such as Gerber, Beech-Nut, Plum, Hain, Campbell, Walmart and Sprout, with families alleging that early exposure to contaminated products contributed to diagnoses like autism or ADHD.

According to the new filing, tampon users may be exposed to heavy metals through vaginal absorption, a route plaintiffs say allows contaminants to enter the bloodstream more directly than through ingestion. The lawsuit claims this exposure presents heightened risks because tampons are used repeatedly and for extended periods over many years.

The complaint points to recent scientific research and testing that detected measurable amounts of lead and other metals in tampons sold in the U.S. Plaintiffs allege that even low-level exposure can accumulate over time, increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes.

Otkina and the others claim that reasonable consumers would not have purchased Tampax tampons, or would have paid less for them, had they known the products allegedly contained lead. The complaint asserts that Procter & Gamble failed to disclose this information on product packaging, labeling or marketing materials.

The lawsuit maintains that Tampax products are marketed as safe, high-quality feminine hygiene items intended for routine internal use, creating an expectation that they are free from harmful contaminants.

However, plaintiffs allege that Procter & Gamble either knew or should have known about the presence of heavy metals in its tampons through internal testing, supplier data or industry research. Despite this alleged knowledge, they claim the company continued to sell the products without adequate warnings.

The complaint goes on to argue that this omission violates state consumer protection laws by misleading consumers about the true safety of the products and depriving them of the ability to make informed purchasing decisions.

“Plaintiffs and Class members have been injured inasmuch as they relied upon the labeling, packaging, and advertising and paid a premium for the Products which—contrary to Defendant’s representation—do not disclose the existence of lead in the Products.”

— Anna Otkina et al v. The Procter & Gamble Company

The lawsuit raises allegations of negligent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, breach of implied warranty and violations of various state deceptive trade practice statutes. It seeks damages, restitution, injunctive relief requiring clearer disclosures, and changes to product labeling and marketing practices, as well as class certification to pursue the claims on behalf of all similarly situated consumers.

Tampax Tampon Lawsuits

The Otkina case joins earlier class action lawsuits, which have raised similar allegations about lead contamination in Tampax Pearl tampons.

In July 2024, a complaint was brought by Allison Barton against Procter & Gamble, asserting that certain Tampax Pearl products contained unsafe levels of lead.

Barton’s filing cited independent laboratory testing that allegedly detected lead amounts ranging from approximately 0.243 micrograms in Tampax Pearl Light tampons to about 0.787 micrograms in the Pearl Ultra variety.

The lawsuit further pointed to Procter & Gamble’s own marketing statements indicating that many consumers use between three and six tampons per day. Based on those usage estimates, Barton calculated that daily lead exposure could reach roughly 0.729 to 2.36 micrograms, levels she argued exceed California’s Proposition 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms and would require a consumer warning.

Additional complaints have indicated comparable amounts of lead in Tampax Pearl tampons based on independent laboratory testing.

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