O.B. · Tampons
o.b. Original Tampons Super Plus
Lower-concern product; standard tampon materials carry minimal PFAS risk, but O.B. offers no public reassurance.
O.B. Original Super Plus uses conventional rayon and cotton with no disclosed water-resistant coatings or fluorochemical treatments. No PFAS claims or third-party testing available from the brand.
Shop O.B. on Amazon →Material
Rayon/cellulose core, cotton cover
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
period care is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
O.B. Original tampons use a rayon/cellulose core wrapped in cotton, a conventional absorbent structure that has been used safely in menstrual products for decades. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber produced from wood pulp through chemical processing; it is highly absorbent and biodegradable. The cotton cover is a natural fiber that does not require synthetic chemical bonding or flame-retardant treatments typical of some other textile products. This material combination avoids the synthetic polymer risks (BPA, phthalates) associated with plastic-heavy tampon designs.
The brand's record and disclosure
O.B. (owned by Edgewell Personal Care) does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient lists, manufacturing certifications, or chemical testing results for its tampons, which is standard practice across most mainstream tampon brands. The company has not faced documented product safety recalls or FDA enforcement actions related to O.B. tampons. O.B. makes no claims regarding organic materials, chlorine-free processing, or PFAS avoidance, placing it in the silent-disclosure category typical of conventional tampon manufacturers.
How it compares in its category
O.B. Original represents the mainstream segment of tampon design: conventional rayon-cotton construction without premium certifications (organic, FDA clearance statements, or GOTS textile standards). Brands marketing organic or elemental chlorine-free status (e.g., Seventh Generation, Cora) offer higher transparency and potentially lower chemical residue risk, while O.B. occupies the mass-market middle ground with no documented advantage or disadvantage over other conventional rayon-cotton tampons. Price and applicator design are the primary differentiators, not chemical safety profile.
If you buy it
Store tampons in a cool, dry place; rayon-cotton does not degrade with moisture exposure the way some synthetic materials do, so standard bathroom cabinet storage is adequate. Follow the manufacturer's guidance on wear time (change every 4-8 hours to reduce infection risk), which is independent of product chemistry. Discontinue use immediately if you experience irritation, allergic reaction, or signs of toxic shock syndrome (fever, rash, dizziness). No special maintenance or product-specific precautions are needed beyond standard menstrual hygiene practices.
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.”
Dioxins and chlorine residues from bleaching
Rayon and cotton used in conventional tampons may be processed with chlorine-based bleaching methods; trace dioxins can remain in the final product. O.B. does not disclose bleaching methods or dioxin testing. This is a category-wide concern, not unique to O.B., and established health risks from tampon-level exposure remain under scientific debate.
Contaminant residues from pulp processing
Rayon production involves chemical solvents (sodium hydroxide, carbon disulfide, or lyocell processes) that may leave trace residues. O.B. does not specify which rayon production method is used. Standard food-contact cellulose regulations apply in some regions, but tampon-specific residue limits are not federally enforced in the U.S.
Allergic contact dermatitis from dyes or finishes
No documented cases of adverse reactions to O.B. Original tampons are on record. Rayon-cotton blends are considered low-allergen materials; however, any tampon can trigger irritation in individuals with sensitive vulvovaginal tissue, which is a physiological variation rather than a product defect.
Microplastic shedding
O.B. Original uses natural cellulose and cotton fibers, not synthetic microplastics. Rayon and cotton are biodegradable and do not fragment into persistent microparticles during use or disposal.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS is associated with prolonged tampon wear and bacterial overgrowth, not material chemistry. O.B. tampons carry the same TSS risk profile as other conventional tampons; risk is mitigated by following wear-time guidance (change every 4-8 hours) and using the lowest absorbency needed.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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 Tampons
Seventh Generation
Organic Cotton Tampons Applicator
organic cotton (tampon & applicator core); cardboard applicator
Lower-concern buy, organic cotton & MADE SAFE cert reduce PFAS risk, though brand is silent on the topic.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Lola
Organic Cotton Tampons
organic cotton (no synthetic coatings)
Lower concern, uncoated organic cotton with transparent PFAS-free positioning and third-party certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Cora
Organic Tampons with Applicator
organic cotton tampon with cardboard/plastic applicator
Lower-concern choice; organic base material and MADE SAFE cert suggest thoughtful sourcing, but no explicit PFAS commitment.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More tampons 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.