Lille · Incontinence Protection Products
TENA Intimates Moderate Bladder Control Pad
Waterproof coating unspecified; moderate concern until disclosed.
Incontinence pads typically use synthetic waterproof backings to prevent leakage, often treated with fluorinated compounds or other water-repellent coatings. Lille/TENA does not publicly disclose coating materials or PFAS status for this product.
The safe swap
Lille
Suprem Light Mini 220ml 12 Packs Per Carton
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its C.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Cellulose, nonwoven synthetic fibers, waterproof backing coating (unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
period care is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
TENA Intimates uses cellulose (wood fiber) as the absorbent core, which is chemically inert and non-toxic. The nonwoven synthetic fiber layers (typically polypropylene or polyethylene) provide structure and are food-contact approved in most jurisdictions. The critical unknown is the waterproof backing coating, which is unspecified by Lille and typically uses either polyurethane film or a Teflon-type coating-based membrane. Without disclosure, you cannot rule out PFAS use in that backing layer.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lille (formerly SCA, now part of Essity) does not publicly disclose detailed material composition or PFAS testing results for TENA Intimates. The brand has not signed commitments to PFAS elimination in absorbent hygiene products, unlike some competitors (e.g., Knix, Hello Bello). No recalls or toxicant violations are on record for this specific product line. However, silence on waterproof backing composition is a compliance and transparency weakness.
How it compares in its category
TENA Intimates sits in the mainstream incontinence-pad market, where waterproof coatings (PFAS-based or polyurethane) are standard. Eco-certified or PFAS-free alternatives exist (e.g., some Knix or Aisle products) but are less widely available and more expensive. Most conventional pads in this category carry similar unspecified coating hazards. TENA's cellulose core is comparable to leading brands and does not pose leaching or off-gassing risk.
If you buy it
Change pads regularly (every 2 to 4 hours, or when saturated) to minimize skin contact duration and avoid bacterial growth or irritation. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat sources; do not expose to high temperatures or direct sunlight, as this can degrade polymer backing. If you experience redness, rash, or allergic symptoms, discontinue and patch-test a hypoallergenic alternative. Request detailed material safety data from Lille if PFAS status is a deciding factor for your household.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
PFAS in waterproof backing coating
Backing layer composition is not disclosed by manufacturer. Teflon-family coating (Teflon-type coating, Teflon-type coating-co-PDD) or aqueous fluorocarbon coatings are common in absorbent hygiene waterproof layers and may be present; leaching risk during normal use is low but dermal absorption from prolonged contact is possible.
Polyurethane or plastic film degradation
If backing is polyurethane, repeated folding, heat, or urine exposure over months may cause micro-cracking or decomposition, releasing polymer particles or residual monomers (MDI, TDI). Risk is minor for typical 2-4 hour use windows but increases with prolonged wear.
Skin sensitization from synthetic fibers or adhesive
Nonwoven synthetic fibers and any adhesive strip used for fastening can trigger contact dermatitis or irritation in individuals with sensitive skin or latex cross-reactivity. No specific allergen recalls exist for TENA Intimates, but incidence in absorbent hygiene is documented in dermatology literature.
Cellulose pulp contaminants (bleach residues, chlorine)
TENA sources virgin cellulose and presumably uses elemental chlorine-free (ECF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF) bleaching. No reported residual dioxin or chlorine contamination in TENA products; standard industry practice minimizes this hazard.
Microplastic or nonwoven fiber shedding
Repeated friction or degradation of nonwoven layers may shed microscale fibers. Direct ingestion or inhalation risk is negligible for topical use, but environmental persistence of flushed fibers is a concern if pads are disposed via sewage.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Incontinence Protection Products
Lille
Suprem Light Mini 220ml 12 Packs Per Carton
absorbent core, cellulose, standard sanitary materials
Lower concern. Standard pad materials rarely treated with PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Lille
Suprem Form Maxi 2920ml
cellulose-based absorbent core, plastic backing
Lower concern. Standard period pad without known PFAS risks.
⚠Risky category by default
Lille
Suprem Form Regular Plus 1570ml 4 Packs Per Carton
absorbent core (cellulose, SAP); outer layers typical nonwoven polypropylene
Period pads pose minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More incontinence protection products grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.