D'Addario Review, Is D'Addario Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 3 graded products, D'Addario averages Excellent (85/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 3 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Worth buying from D'Addario Good or better, safest first
D'Addario
Electric Guitar Strings Nickel
Nickel-plated steel core with nickel-brass wound exterior
Nickel skin contact sensitivity
Nickel is a known contact allergen. Players with nickel hypersensitivity may experience…
Coating degradation and core exposure
Over time, the nickel plating wears through normal play, exposing the steel core…
Lower PFAS concern; traditional guitar strings use established metallic coatings, not Teflon-family coating.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
D'Addario
Acoustic Bronze Guitar Strings
Phosphor bronze wound over steel hex core
Manufacturing residue or contaminants (oils, lubricants, solder flux)
New strings may carry light machine oils, drawing lubricants, or manufacturing dust…
Nickel exposure from steel core (for nickel-sensitive individuals)
Steel hex cores typically contain nickel as a hardening agent. Contact with strings is…
Lower PFAS concern; standard string material composition poses minimal exposure risk.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
D'Addario
Acoustic Guitar Strings XS 80/20 Bronze Coated
80/20 Bronze (copper-tin alloy) with phosphor-bronze coating
Coating degradation and particulate release
The phosphor-bronze coating may chip or flake with heavy use or storage in humid…
Allergic contact dermatitis (copper sensitivity)
Individuals with documented copper allergy or hypersensitivity may experience localized…
Lower concern; acoustic guitar strings composed of well-established metals with no known PFAS use.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →