Do Kotex period pads have PFAS?
Kotex period pads average 42 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 10 Kotex period pads graded as of October 2026, above the 35 out of 100 median for the 16 other period pads brands graded alongside it.
Kotex period pads average Poor on our four-band scale. 3 of the 10 we graded are worth buying. That is above 63% of the period pads brands we grade.
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.
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- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Kotex says and does about PFAS
Kotex is made by Kimberly-Clark, which told Insurance Journal in 2024 that it does not use PFAS in any of its U.S. consumer products. That was a company spokesperson statement in response to a Connecticut facility lawsuit, not a published Kotex PFAS policy. In independent testing, Mamavation found no organic fluorine in the one U by Kotex tampon it tested, and we found no PFAS lawsuit naming Kotex products.
- Brand statementKimberly-Clark, the maker of Kotex, said in a 2024 statement to Insurance Journal that it does not use PFAS in any of its U.S. consumer products and called the New Milford facility allegations unfounded. Insurance Journal ↗
- Legal caseA Connecticut class action alleges PFAS contamination from a Kimberly-Clark facility that makes diapers and tissue brands, not Kotex, and the company says the allegations are unfounded. Outcome not confirmed by us. Insurance Journal ↗
- Independent testMamavation's EPA-certified lab found non-detect organic fluorine in U by Kotex Click compact unscented tampons. Mamavation ↗
Sources checked September 29, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.
Kotex period pads worth buying Good or better, best-graded first
- Cotton, wood pulp absorbent core, plastic backing
- Pesticide residue. Product does not state organic certification or pesticide testing. Conventional cotton may…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- cotton, cellulose core, adhesive
- Pesticide residue. Cotton is a pesticide-intensive crop. Kotex Natural does not disclose whether the cotton…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- cotton, cellulose, absorbent core
- Formaldehyde / VOCs. Cotton fibers may be treated with formaldehyde-based resins during manufacturing to…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Which Kotex period pads contain PFAS? Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
- Cotton, rayon, adhesive, undisclosed absorbent core
- Undisclosed adhesive composition. Pressure-sensitive adhesives in menstrual pads often contain acrylates or…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Cellulose, cotton, adhesive, waterproof backing layer (unspecified)
- Waterproof backing layer (unspecified composition). Undisclosed backing material likely contains PFAS or…
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Cellulose, synthetic absorbent core, polypropylene layers, waterproof backing
- PFAS. Polypropylene or polyethylene waterproof layers commonly use fluorinated or silicone water-resistant…
- Nonwoven fibers (cellulose/synthetic blend) with waterproof backing layer, composition not fully disclosed
- PFAS. Waterproof backing material is not disclosed by the brand. Fluorinated compounds (PFAS) are the most…
- bamboo/rayon fibers with undisclosed waterproof/absorbent coating
- PFAS. Kotex does not disclose the chemical identity of the waterproof backing or adhesive layer; fluorinated…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- cellulose/rayon with proprietary absorbent core and waterproof barrier
- Waterproof barrier coating (unspecified chemistry). The barrier material and its components are not…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Cellulose, absorbent core, waterproof backing layer
- PFAS. Waterproof polymer backing in conventional pads typically contains fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) to…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonBetter period pads from other brands
Graded higher than the Kotex average of 42.
- organic cotton, wood pulp
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergen content
- cellulose, cotton blend, absorbent core
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bleach residues and processing chemicals in cellulose
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Cotton, cellulose, standard absorbent core
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) skin contact and allergic response
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
The same question, asked of the other period pads brands
Best average grade first. Kotex averages 42.
See every Kotex product we grade on the Kotex brand page, or the full period pads ranking.