Do Playtex tampons have PFAS?
Playtex tampons average 70 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 14 Playtex tampons graded as of October 2026, level with the 70 out of 100 median for the 17 other tampons brands graded alongside it.
Playtex tampons average Good on our four-band scale. 14 of the 14 we graded are worth buying. That is above 38% 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 Playtex says and does about PFAS
We found no PFAS statement from Playtex or its maker Edgewell. Mamavation's lab found 19 ppm organic fluorine in Playtex Sport tampons and non-detect in Playtex Simply Gentle Glide tampons. A federal class action alleging PFAS in Playtex Gentle Glide and o.b. Organic tampons was dismissed in January 2024.
- Independent testMamavation's EPA-certified lab found 19 ppm organic fluorine, a PFAS marker, in Playtex Sport Regular and Super tampons. Mamavation ↗
- Independent testThe same test found non-detect organic fluorine in Playtex Simply Gentle Glide Ultra Absorbency tampons with plastic applicator. Mamavation ↗
- Legal caseLowe v. Edgewell alleged o.b. Organic and Playtex Gentle Glide tampons contained PFAS. A California federal court dismissed the suits in January 2024 because the testing allegations were insufficient. These were allegations, not findings. Inside Class Actions ↗
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.
Playtex tampons worth buying Good or better, best-graded first
- Rayon (viscose) core; cotton-blend outer layer
- Dioxin residues (bleaching byproduct). Rayon production historically involved chlorine bleaching, which can…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Rayon/viscose core, cotton blend, cardboard applicator
- Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) risk. All tampons carry a documented but rare risk of TSS when left in place too…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- rayon/viscose core, cotton blend, plastic applicator
- Allergen or irritant from undisclosed dyes or additives. Playtex Simply Gentle Glide does not list fragrance…
- Rayon/viscose core, cotton outer layer
- Microbial contamination / sterility loss. Open-box tampons from the 1980s cannot guarantee sterility after…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- rayon/viscose, cotton, and cardboard applicator
- Bleach residues and chlorine byproducts. Rayon and cotton tampons are typically bleached to white for…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Rayon/viscose core, cotton blend outer
- Pesticide residue. The outer cotton blend may contain residual pesticides if sourced from conventional…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Rayon/viscose (core), plastic applicator
- Chlorine residues in rayon bleaching. Rayon manufacture typically involves bleaching; conventional…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- rayon/cotton blend with cotton/plastic applicator
- Bleach residue and dioxins from rayon processing. Rayon is bleached during manufacturing; trace dioxin and…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Rayon/viscose core, plastic applicator (polystyrene or similar)
- Microplastic shedding from applicator. Plastic applicators may shed microscopic particles with repeated use…
- rayon/viscose, cotton blend core; absorbent gelling polymer
- Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) risk. All high-absorbency tampons carry inherent TSS risk if left in place too…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- rayon/viscose core, cotton outer, plastic applicator
- Dioxin residues in rayon/viscose. Viscose production historically involved bleaching that could leave trace…
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Rayon/viscose core, polyethylene wrapper
- Chlorine/dioxin residues from bleaching. Conventional tampons including Playtex are typically bleached with…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- rayon/cotton core, plastic applicator
- Rayon bleaching residues (dioxins/furans). Rayon production involves bleaching with chlorine, which can leave…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- rayon/viscose core, cotton-blend cover
- Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds (from rayon bleaching). Rayon production may involve chlorine bleaching…
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Better tampons from other brands
Graded higher than the Playtex average of 70.
- 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. Playtex averages 70.
See every Playtex product we grade on the Playtex brand page, or the full tampons ranking.