Do Tampax period pads have PFAS?
Tampax period pads average 70 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 5 Tampax period pads graded as of October 2026, above the 36 out of 100 median for the 17 other period pads brands graded alongside it.
Tampax period pads average Good on our four-band scale. 5 of the 5 we graded are worth buying.
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 Tampax says and does about PFAS
We found no PFAS statement from Tampax or its maker Procter & Gamble; As You Sow says P&G has not issued a position on PFAS in personal care products including Tampax. Mamavation's lab found 23 ppm organic fluorine in Tampax Cardboard Applicator Unscented Tampons, and non-detect in two other Tampax tampons. A federal PFAS class action over Tampax Pure Cotton was dismissed in July 2025.
- Independent testMamavation's EPA-certified lab found 23 ppm organic fluorine, a PFAS marker, in Tampax Cardboard Applicator Unscented Tampons. Mamavation ↗
- Independent testThe same Mamavation test found non-detect organic fluorine in Tampax Pearl Leakguard Protection Jumbo Tampons and Tampax Pure 100% Organic Cotton Core Tampons. Mamavation ↗
- StudyMamavation says organic fluorine levels of 19 to 28 ppm are considered not intentionally added and are likely supply chain contamination, which is Mamavation's interpretation. Mamavation ↗
- Government sourceShareholder group As You Sow says P&G has not issued a position on PFAS in its personal care products including Tampax. As You Sow ↗
- Legal caseBounthon v. Procter & Gamble alleged Tampax Pure Cotton tampons contained PFAS. The court dismissed the third amended complaint without leave to amend on July 7, 2025, finding the testing allegations too cursory. These were allegations, not findings that PFAS are present or absent. KTS Law ↗
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.
Tampax period pads worth buying Good or better, best-graded first
- Rayon/viscose core, cotton-blend outer, no known coating
- Fragrance allergens (if scented variant). Tampax Super standard (unscented) contains no added fragrance.…
- rayon, cotton, polyester core
- Pesticide residue. Tampax Pearl does not specify organic cotton sourcing. Conventional cotton may carry…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- cotton core, rayon/plastic applicator
- Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (bleaching residues). Conventional cotton tampons are typically bleached…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- rayon/viscose core, plastic applicator
- Bacterial growth and toxic shock syndrome (TSS), TSS risk is associated with prolonged tampon insertion (>8…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- cotton/rayon absorbent core, plastic applicator
- Pesticide residue. Conventional cotton and rayon may carry traces of pesticides used in agriculture or…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Better period pads from other brands
Graded higher than the Tampax average of 70.
- organic cotton, wood pulp
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergen content
The same question, asked of the other period pads brands
Best average grade first. Tampax averages 70.
See every Tampax product we grade on the Tampax brand page, or the full period pads ranking.