By PFAS Authority · Updated September 10, 2026
Top grades to buy
Natracare
Organic Pads
Cora
Organic Tampons
Model-based grades, not lab tests. We flunk more than we pass. How grading works
PFAS in Period Care, One Certification Separates the Top Two
We graded four period care products. Natracare Organic Pads lead at 100 on a MADE SAFE certification. Cora Organic Tampons follow at 70 on their cotton core alone, since Cora has no PFAS statement for tampons. Generic conventional tampons grade 35 on an undisclosed coating, and generic period underwear grades 25 on a named water-repellent treatment.
Summary comparison table
| Product | PFAS grade | Material as recorded |
|---|---|---|
| Natracare Organic Pads | Excellent, 100/100 | Organic cotton and plant cellulose, MADE SAFE certified |
| Cora Organic Tampons | Good, 70/100 | Organic cotton core, no PFAS statement for tampons |
| Generic Conventional Tampons | Poor, 35/100 | Rayon/cotton blend, coating undisclosed |
| Generic Period Underwear | Poor, 25/100 | Polyester/nylon shell, water-repellent coating named |
How we graded these
Every grade here is a model-based estimate built from publicly available product information and manufacturer disclosures, not a lab test performed by our team. A high score means lower concern based on reviewed sources, never PFAS-free and never safe. Across these four products the spread is one at 100, one at 70, one at 35 and one at 25. Look up any product in our PFAS product finder.
A correction to this guide
An earlier version of this guide graded Cora Organic Tampons at 95 on a brand PFAS-free claim we could not confirm was made for Cora's tampons specifically. Cora does make a PFAS statement for its period underwear, not its tampons. We corrected the tampon entry to 70 on 17 September 2026, reflecting the cotton material credit alone.
Why Natracare leads at 100
Natracare's pads carry MADE SAFE certification, which our model counts as third-party verification, on top of a material credit for the organic cotton and cellulose core. It is the only product in this guide with an independently verified certification on file.
Why Cora grades 70
Cora's tampons earn the same cotton material credit as Natracare but have no PFAS statement or certification specific to tampons, which is the entire 30-point gap between the two.
Why the generic products grade lowest
Generic conventional tampons carry a coating of undisclosed composition and no manufacturer to make any statement at all, landing at 35. Generic period underwear grades lowest, at 25, because its water-repellent shell treatment is named rather than unspecified, the kind of leak-resistant finish that has shown up in independent testing of the period underwear category before.
What to avoid
- Unbranded period underwear with no textile disclosure. It grades lowest here, and leak-proof claims on generic listings have a documented history of fluorinated finishes in this category.
- Assuming "organic" cotton on the top sheet means every layer is untreated. Check the fuller material breakdown when a brand publishes one.
- Treating a brand's statement for one product line as covering another. Cora's PFAS statement applies to its period underwear, not the tampons in this guide.
Our pick
Based on available materials and data, Natracare Organic Pads are the strongest option here on MADE SAFE certification. For tampons, Cora Organic Tampons are the best graded at 70, on their cotton core alone. If period underwear is your preferred format, treat it with more caution than pads or tampons, since the generic entry here scored lowest of any product reviewed.
FAQ
Are organic cotton pads and tampons guaranteed to be free of PFAS?
No. Natracare's 100 reflects MADE SAFE certification plus a material credit, and Cora's 70 reflects a material credit with no PFAS statement for tampons. Neither is a laboratory confirmation of zero PFAS content.
Why does period underwear score so much lower than pads or tampons?
Period underwear relies on a leak-resistant shell, a function historically achieved in many textiles with fluorinated durable water repellent finishes. The generic entry here names that kind of treatment, which is why it grades lowest.
Does PFAS exposure from period products cause health problems?
Some research has found associations between PFAS exposure and certain health outcomes, but association is not causation, and period-care-specific research is still limited. Speak with a healthcare provider for personalized concerns.
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