A recent investigation has found toxic pesticide residues in several well-known tampon brands, raising serious questions about product safety and regulation. Published by The Guardian on 28 May 2025, the findings revealed chlorpyrifos levels up to 40 times higher than the legal limit for drinking water.

The test results come from laboratory analysis commissioned by the US-based non-profit Weaving Voices for Health & Justice (formerly known as Women’s Voices for The Earth). According to the report, tampons purchased from major US retailers tested positive for a number of pesticides, including organophosphates and halogenated compounds. Chlorpyrifos, in particular, is a pesticide banned in many countries due to its effects on brain development and the nervous system.