Tena · Incontinence Pads & Protection
TENA Air Flow Disposable Underpad
Wait for brand disclosure of waterproof coating chemistry before purchasing.
TENA Air Flow underpads feature a waterproof backing common to incontinence products where PFAS coatings are often applied, but Aeroflow provides no public disclosure of the coating material or PFAS status. No third-party testing exists.
The better-graded swap
Organic Bamboo Incontinence Pads - White Dinosaur
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Good.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
cellulose/polymer core with waterproof backing layer (type unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What TENA Air Flow Disposable Underpad is made of, ingredients and materials
TENA Air Flow underpads use a cellulose/polymer absorbent core designed to wick moisture away from skin, paired with a waterproof backing layer to prevent leakage. The specific chemistry of the waterproof backing is not publicly disclosed by Aeroflow, which is the primary concern since modern waterproof coatings in incontinence products often rely on Teflon-type coating, polyurethane, or PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS). The cellulose core itself is generally recognized as safe, but the backing layer composition directly affects potential leaching into skin contact over extended wear.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Waterproof coating leachates (unknown chemistry)
The unidentified backing-layer chemistry poses low but unquantified risk of migration into skin during prolonged contact, particularly in warm/moist conditions typical of incontinent use. Without disclosure, residual solvents or oligomers from polyurethane or other polymer coatings cannot be ruled out.
Bacterial growth in core material
Cellulose and polymers in incontinence pads can support pathogenic bacterial growth if underpads remain in contact with urine or feces for prolonged periods. TENA Air Flow does not appear to contain antimicrobial additives; timely changes mitigate this risk but require user compliance.
What’s reassuring
Skin irritation from cellulose/polymer contact
Cellulose cores are well-tolerated by skin; no established reports of irritation from TENA Air Flow underpads specifically. However, individuals with sensitive skin or existing dermatitis should monitor for localized redness or discomfort and switch to hypoallergenic alternatives if symptoms emerge.
Microplastic/fiber shedding
No documented shedding of microplastics or synthetic fibers from TENA Air Flow underpads under normal use. The product is not heated during use, reducing fragmentation risk. However, mechanical abrasion during extended wear or folding could theoretically release fibers; data on actual shedding rates do not appear to be published.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Aeroflow Health is a telehealth and medical supply distributor but does not appear to manufacture TENA products directly; TENA is owned by SCA (Essity). Public disclosures on waterproof coating composition for this specific underpad are not readily available from either company. No major recalls specific to this product line have been documented in FDA databases, and the brand does not publish voluntary safety certifications or third-party testing results for chemical composition. This silence on coating chemistry is a red flag given the prevalence of PFAS in medical incontinence products.
How it compares in its category
Disposable underpads are among the most chemically understudied medical textiles on the market; most competitors (Attends, Depend, Northshore) similarly withhold detailed backing-layer chemistry. Products with published polyurethane-based (non-Teflon-type coating, non-PFAS) waterproof coatings are rare but exist (some Medline products advertise PU construction). TENA Air Flow is mid-market in absorbency and price; it is not uniquely transparent compared to peers, but also not uniquely opaque. Washable/reusable fabric underpads eliminate the coating question entirely but require frequent laundering and different cost-benefit analysis.
If you buy it
Change underpads as soon as soiling occurs to minimize skin contact time and reduce any potential leachate exposure. Store in a cool, dry location away from direct heat or sunlight, which could accelerate degradation of the waterproof backing. Do not expose to temperatures above 65 degrees Celsius (150 Fahrenheit); never machine wash or bleach. Request Aeroflow or SCA to disclose the waterproof coating chemistry before repurchasing; document their response to create accountability pressure for future reformulation toward PFAS-free alternatives.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tena has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More incontinence pads & protection grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.