Tampax · Period Pads
Tampax Super 48 Units
Lower-concern choice; no known PFAS use in standard tampon construction.
Tampax Super tampons are made from rayon, viscose, and cotton fibers with no intentional water-repellent or stain-resistant coating typical of PFAS-treated products. Tampax has not disclosed PFAS risk or made PFAS-free claims.
Shop Tampax on Amazon →Material
Rayon/viscose core, cotton-blend outer, no known coating
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
Tampax Super uses a rayon/viscose core (absorbent) wrapped in a cotton-blend outer layer with a plastic applicator. Rayon is wood pulp regenerated cellulose, chemically neutral once produced; no bleach residues or heavy metals are typical in FDA-regulated tampon rayon. The cotton blend adds biodegradability compared to all-synthetic alternatives. The plastic applicator is standard polypropylene (PP), which does not leach under body-temperature conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tampax (Procter & Gamble) does not publish detailed ingredient disclosures or material sourcing statements, which is common industry-wide for period products. No recalls, contamination incidents, or safety violations are on record for this product line. The brand has not voluntarily tested for or disclosed PFAS use, matching the silent stance of most major menstrual-product manufacturers. Certification bodies (FDA classification as medical device, no specific organic or safety certifications) apply.
How it compares in its category
Tampax Super sits in the mainstream safety middle ground. Brands like Seventh Generation and Cora offer organic-certified or PFAS-tested alternatives with higher transparency; conventional Kotex and Playtex offer similar safety profiles with equally limited disclosure. Rayon is standard across all mass-market tampons and carries no specific hazard over cotton. Plastic applicators (vs. cardboard or none) do not add chemical risk, only environmental footprint.
If you buy it
Use as directed; insert and remove at normal body temperature (no heating or storage risks). Change every 4-8 hours to avoid toxic shock syndrome risk, which is unrelated to chemical composition but standard hygiene practice. Store in cool, dry conditions (bathroom cabinet is fine; do not leave in hot cars). Dispose in regular waste or composting where permitted. No special precautions needed beyond normal tampon safety.
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.”
Bleach residues and dioxins in rayon
Rayon used in FDA-regulated tampons is processed under strict elemental chlorine-free (ECF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF) standards in North America. No dioxin or chlorine contamination has been reported in Tampax or other major brands. This is a historical concern now controlled by manufacturing regulation.
Heavy metals (cadmium, lead) in core or bleach
Rayon and cotton raw materials are not processed with cadmium or lead-bearing chemicals in standard North American production. No heavy metal contamination has been reported in any major tampon brand. FDA oversight of menstrual products includes raw material safety.
Fragrance allergens (if scented variant)
Tampax Super standard (unscented) contains no added fragrance. Scented variants (if purchased) may contain synthetic fragrance allergens, though undisclosed. Request unscented version to eliminate this risk entirely.
Polypropylene applicator leaching
Polypropylene plastic applicators do not release BPA, phthalates, or other endocrine disruptors at body temperature (37C). Applicator material is inert and widely used in medical devices. No leaching incidents reported.
Microbial contamination during storage
Tampax tampons are sterile at manufacture and sealed in individual applicators. Contamination risk is zero unless opened and exposed to non-sterile environment. Standard storage practices (dry, sealed box) maintain safety throughout shelf life.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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 Period Pads
Organyc
Corman Organyc Certified Organic Cotton Feminine Pads
Certified organic cotton, no synthetic coatings disclosed
Lower-concern choice; organic cotton without disclosed coatings reduces PFAS risk, though brand offers no explicit assurance.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Organyc
Feminine Pads
Organic cotton, cellulose
Lower-concern choice; organic cotton base + explicit PFAS-free positioning + third-party certs.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Organyc
The Honey Pot Company Organic Herbal Regular Pads
organic cotton, cellulose core
Lower-concern period product; organic cotton pads unlikely to contain PFAS, though brand remains silent on testing.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More period pads 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.