Do Kotex tampons have PFAS?
Kotex tampons average 72 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 8 Kotex tampons graded as of October 2026, above the 70 out of 100 median for the 17 other tampons brands graded alongside it.
Kotex tampons average Good on our four-band scale. 8 of the 8 we graded are worth buying. That is above 82% of the tampons 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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Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- 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 tampons worth buying Good or better, best-graded first
Kotex
Natural Tampons Normal 16 Count - Eco-Friendly, Biodegradable, and Chemical-Free Menstrual Hygiene
- organic cotton, viscose rayon, plant-based adhesives
- Starting grade for this product type
- rayon/cellulose, cotton, cardboard
- Bacterial contamination and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk. All tampons carry theoretical TSS risk tied to…
- Rayon/cellulose core; cotton/rayon cover; plastic applicator
- Chlorine bleach residues in rayon core. Conventional rayon tampons are typically chlorine-bleached during…
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- rayon/viscose/cotton core with cellulose layers
- Bacterial contamination (post-discontinuation storage). Tampons stored for 20 years may have been exposed to…
- Cotton and rayon core, plastic applicator
- Plastic applicator composition and leachables. The applicator material is not specified; if polypropylene or…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Rayon/viscose core, cotton cover, plastic applicator
- Chlorine residues (dioxins) from bleaching. Rayon and cotton tampons may be bleached with chlorine compounds…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Rayon/viscose core, cotton blend cover
- Dioxins from chlorine bleaching. Conventionally manufactured rayon and cotton textiles may be bleached with…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Rayon/viscose core, cotton exterior, polypropylene layers
- Pesticide residue, U by Kotex Sleek does not specify organic cotton, so conventional cotton may contain trace…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Better tampons from other brands
Graded higher than the Kotex average of 72.
- 100% organic cotton
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Heavy metals
Natracare
Organic Super Plus Tampons, 3 x 20 ct
- organic cotton, cardboard applicator
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Dioxins from bleaching
Natracare
Organic Cotton Super Plus Tampons
- organic cotton, no added fluorochemicals
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Verified PFAS-free by a third party
The same question, asked of the other tampons brands
Best average grade first. Kotex averages 72.
See every Kotex product we grade on the Kotex brand page, or the full tampons ranking.