Chlorine Free Maxi Pads vs Tampons Trio Pack: which is safer?
Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Maxi Pads is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Seventh Generation
Chlorine Free Maxi Pads
PFAS grade
Excellent 100/100
Overall grade
Excellent 96/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 1
Material
organic cotton, wood pulp
Confidence
78%
PossibleFragrance allergen content
Tampax Pearl
Tampons Trio Pack
PFAS grade
Good 70/100
Overall grade
Good 56/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
rayon/viscose core, plastic applicator
Confidence
72%
ReportedBacterial growth and toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
PossibleVaginal irritation or allergic sensitization
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Fragrance allergen content on the Seventh Generation and not on the Tampax Pearl.
- We flag Bacterial growth and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and Vaginal irritation or allergic sensitization on the Tampax Pearl and not on the Seventh Generation.
- The Seventh Generation is organic cotton, wood pulp where the Tampax Pearl is rayon/viscose core, plastic applicator, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 30 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Seventh Generation is the one to buy.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
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