O.B. · Tampons
O b Tampons
Lower concern, no known PFAS-typical treatments in tampon construction, but limited public transparency.
O.B. tampons are primarily rayon and cotton with no documented water-resistant or stain-resistant coatings that would warrant PFAS use. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS status. Tampons are not a category typically treated with forever chemicals, making this product lower risk than apparel, cookware, or cosmetics.
Shop O.B. on Amazon →Material
rayon/viscose core, cotton cover, no reported coatings
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. tampons use a rayon/viscose core wrapped in cotton cover with no reported chemical coatings, adhesives, or bleaching agents beyond industry-standard oxygen-based whitening. Rayon and cotton are both cellulose fibers and do not leach synthetic chemicals or heavy metals under normal use. This material combination is chemically inert during vaginal contact and poses no known risk of leaching or breakdown into harmful compounds.
The brand's record and disclosure
O.B. (owned by Edgewell Personal Care/Energizer) has not publicly disclosed detailed chemical composition, manufacturing certifications, or testing for contaminants. The brand has no known safety recalls or reported health complaints linked to chemical exposure. However, the lack of third-party certification (organic, TSC, or heavy-metal testing) and silent stance on PFAS limits independent verification of manufacturing standards and ingredient purity.
How it compares in its category
O.B. occupies the mainstream, non-premium segment alongside Tampax and Kotex. It lacks the organic/certified status of brands like Seventh Generation or Cora, which publish toxicology and PFAS testing. Its rayon/cotton formula is identical to most conventional competitors and carries no elevated risk compared to other non-organic tampons, though certified-organic alternatives offer greater transparency.
If you buy it
Follow standard tampon hygiene: change every 4-8 hours to prevent toxic shock syndrome risk; do not use overnight if possible. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture and dust. No special handling or heating concerns apply. If you experience irritation, burning, or unusual discharge, discontinue use and consult a healthcare provider, as individual sensitivity to rayon or cotton is rare but possible.
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/viscose fiber purity and contaminants
No published testing or recalls for heavy metals, pesticide residue, or chemical byproducts in O.B. tampons. Rayon manufacturing can involve sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid, but these are not present in the finished product under normal conditions.
Bleaching agents and dioxins
O.B. does not state use of chlorine bleaching. Industry standard uses oxygen-based whitening, which does not produce dioxins. No dioxin contamination has been reported in O.B. or comparable mainstream tampons in decades.
Cotton pesticide residue
O.B. does not specify organic cotton sourcing, so conventional pesticide residue on raw cotton fibers is plausible but unquantified. Residual exposure is minimal because tampons do not remain in contact with skin for extended periods and pesticides do not readily transfer through intact mucosa.
Synthetic additives and fragrance
O.B. original tampons contain no reported fragrance, dyes, or synthetic additives. Scented variants (if any) would carry low risk of allergic sensitization, though individual irritation is possible and fragrance use in intimate products is medically discouraged.
PFAS in manufacturing or packaging
No public data on PFAS use in O.B. tampon production or applicator/box materials. Cardboard packaging may contain PFAS-based water repellents (common in food and personal-care boxes), but dermal or mucosal exposure from packaging is negligible.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 75% 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.