O.B. · Tampons
O.B. Super Plus Tampons
Lower PFAS concern; no water-repellent or nonstick treatment typical in tampons, but O.B. does not publicly disclose ingredient specifics.
O.B. Super Plus uses rayon and cotton fibers without apparent water-repellent or stain-resistant coatings that would introduce PFAS. The brand does not publicly communicate PFAS absence or hold third-party certifications. No public lab data or recalls flag PFAS risk for this product category.
Shop O.B. on Amazon →Material
rayon/cotton blend, cardboard applicator
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. Super Plus uses a rayon and cotton fiber blend as the absorbent core, with a cardboard applicator. Rayon is a semi-synthetic cellulose fiber produced via chemical processing; the manufacturing process can leave residual chemicals, but finished rayon fibers in tampons are not known to leach problematic compounds under normal vaginal use. Cardboard applicators are inert and do not pose chemical leaching risks, unlike plastic applicators which could theoretically off-gas or degrade.
The brand's record and disclosure
O.B. (owned by Edgewell Personal Care, part of the Energizer portfolio) does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient or processing specifications for its tampons, which is standard practice across the industry. The brand has not faced major product safety recalls or regulatory actions related to chemical contamination in recent decades. No third-party certifications (organic, chlorine-free, hypoallergenic testing) are marketed for this product line, distinguishing it from some competitors but not indicating a safety deficit.
How it compares in its category
O.B. Super Plus sits in the mainstream, non-premium segment. It lacks the organic or chlorine-free certification claims marketed by brands like Seventh Generation or Cora, but also avoids premium-segment pricing. The rayon/cotton blend is typical of conventional tampons; some competitors use 100% cotton or emphasize minimal processing. The cardboard applicator is a common choice and generally poses lower contamination risk than plastic applicators.
If you buy it
Use tampons as directed and change every 4-8 hours to reduce infection risk (toxic shock syndrome concern, not chemical contamination). Store in a cool, dry place; cardboard applicators will degrade if soaked, so ensure packaging integrity before use. If you experience irritation, allergic reaction, or unusual discharge, discontinue and consult a healthcare provider. No special handling or maintenance is required beyond standard hygiene.
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.”
Rayon processing residuals (dioxins, heavy metals)
Rayon manufacturing involves sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide; industrial standards regulate residuals, but no public testing data specific to O.B. is available. Finished rayon in tampons is not known to release these compounds at problematic levels during vaginal use.
Pesticide residues (from cotton component)
Conventional cotton may retain traces of pesticides used during cultivation. O.B. does not specify organic or pesticide-tested cotton, so residue risk exists but is not documented as a safety issue in mainstream tampon use.
Bleaching byproducts (chlorine, dioxins)
Tampons are typically bleached; chlorine bleaching can theoretically produce dioxin trace residues. Industry practices have shifted toward elemental chlorine-free methods, but O.B. does not publicly state its bleaching approach, leaving this unconfirmed.
Fragrance additives (if present in variant)
The standard O.B. Super Plus is unfragmented; no fragrances or allergens are listed on product labels. Some O.B. variants (e.g., scented versions) may include fragrance compounds, but these are typically declared.
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) risk from prolonged use
TSS is a physiological/microbiological risk, not a chemical contamination hazard, but is the primary health concern associated with tampons. Risk is mitigated by timely changes and proper hygiene, not by material choice.
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.