Discontinued 2004 Kotex Natural Balance Security Tampons Super Plus 18
Lower concern. Tampons are brief-contact absorbent materials with no known PFAS application.
Natural Balance tampons contain rayon and cotton with no disclosed water-resistant or stain-resistant coating. No public lab testing available for this discontinued product.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
rayon/viscose/cotton core with cellulose layers
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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.
Bacterial contamination (post-discontinuation storage)
Tampons stored for 20 years may have been exposed to temperature fluctuation or humidity if kept in non-ideal conditions. Cellulose-based absorbents can support bacterial growth if the package seal has degraded. Inspect for odor, discoloration, or packaging compromise before use.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Rayon processing residues (dioxins/AOX)
Viscose rayon production historically involved chlorine bleaching, which can generate trace dioxins and adsorbable organic halides (AOX). No published testing or recalls for Kotex tampons of this era document dioxin contamination. Modern rayon often uses closed-loop or ECF (elemental chlorine-free) processes, but historical sourcing is undisclosed.
Pesticide residue
Conventional cotton in this product may contain trace pesticide residues from field application. Tampons are brief-contact absorbent devices with minimal dermal retention risk. No published data links Kotex tampons to pesticide-related health effects.
Source, EPA ↗Adhesives or dyes in applicator or string
This product's applicator and string materials are not detailed in available sourcing. Conventional cardboard applicators do not typically release volatile compounds. No recalls or complaints on record for Kotex applicator or string failures.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Cellulose layers in tampons are stabilized via cross-linking or resin treatment in some manufacturing processes. Kotex Natural Balance does not carry formaldehyde-free certification, so trace residues are theoretically possible. No published testing or health reports indicate formaldehyde release from this product line.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This tampon uses a rayon/viscose and cotton blend core with cellulose layers, a standard absorbent structure that poses minimal chemical risk during brief vaginal contact. Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber derived from wood pulp; it is chemically stable and does not leach problematic compounds under normal use. The cellulose layers provide structural integrity without added resins or adhesives that would introduce formaldehyde or other volatiles. Cotton adds natural absorbency and biocompatibility.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotex (now part of Kimberly-Clark) has not historically published detailed ingredient or chemical transparency reports for tampons, and this 2004-era product predates the era of third-party testing and organic certification commonplace today. No major safety recalls or contamination incidents are on record for Kotex Natural Balance tampons in this era. The brand's silence on PFAS and detailed material sourcing reflects the industry norm of that period, not a red flag specific to this line.
How it compares in its category
Rayon-cotton blends were and remain the industry standard for conventional tampons; this formulation is chemically equivalent to major competitors of the era (Tampax, OB, Playtex). Modern certified organic or chlorine-free alternatives offer incrementally better transparency but often at higher cost. This product's absorbency rating (Super Plus) is reliable and comparable; the discontinuation likely reflects market consolidation rather than safety failure.
If you buy it
Verify that any old stock has been stored in a cool, dry place away from humidity; tampons degrade if exposed to moisture and can develop bacterial or mold growth. Do not use if packaging is compromised, torn, or shows discoloration. Change tampons every 4-8 hours as directed and do not use beyond shelf life (typically 5 years from manufacture). If sourcing from secondary resellers, confirm expiration date and original packaging integrity before purchase.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Kotex Natural has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Tampons
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No coating of concern recorded, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
✓Lab test found no PFAS
Natracare
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Lower concern. Organic cotton with verified PFAS-free claims.
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Natracare
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Heavy metals
Limited concern
Organic cotton with third-party verification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
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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.