Whitridge’s piece argues that the Food and Drug Administration must adopt a proactive regulatory framework for menstrual tampons in light of emerging evidence of heavy-metal contamination. Prompted by a recent UC-Berkeley study detecting lead and other metals in widely used tampon brands, the Note contends that the FDA’s current § 510(k) “substantial equivalence” pathway is ill-suited for identifying modern chemical risks. Whitridge argues that tampons’ classification as Class II medical devices, combined with outdated guidance, leaves consumers vulnerable to untested contaminants. To remedy this gap, the piece urges the adoption of a forward-looking regulatory scheme—one that mandates routine testing, disclosure, and comprehensive risk assessments—to better safeguard public health and align FDA oversight with contemporary scientific realities.