Natracare Organic Cotton Tampons with Applicator
Lower concern product, but brand does not disclose PFAS status.
Natracare tampons use organic cotton and cardboard with no known Teflon-family coating coatings. The brand does not publicly address PFAS, though the base materials are lower concern.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
organic cotton, cardboard applicator
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Natracare Organic Cotton Applicator is made of, ingredients and materials
Natracare Organic Cotton Tampons use certified organic cotton as the absorbent core, grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. The cardboard applicator is a biodegradable material that does not introduce the chemical concerns associated with plastic applicators (polyethylene or polypropylene). Organic certification limits residual pesticide levels in the cotton fibers themselves, reducing exposure to agricultural chemical residues during intimate use. The absence of bleaching agents like chlorine dioxide in organic-certified production is a material difference from conventional tampons.
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.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS is a rare but serious bacterial infection associated with tampon use regardless of material or brand. Risk is managed by frequent replacement and proper insertion; it is not specific to Natracare but inherent to all tampons.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Pesticide residue
GOTS certification requires testing for residual pesticide levels in organic cotton. No recall or safety alert on record for Natracare organic tampons regarding pesticide contamination.
Source, EPA ↗Bleach or chlorine byproducts
Natracare products are marketed as chlorine-free, reducing exposure to dioxins and other chlorine-related byproducts found in conventional bleached tampons. No contamination reports on record for this product.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Organic cotton processing typically avoids formaldehyde-based finishes. GOTS certification restricts such agents. No formaldehyde contamination reported for this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Natracare tampons are undyed or naturally dyed. No azo dyes or heavy metal pigments in dyes are on record for this product; the cardboard applicator is also uncolored.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Natracare is known for transparency on organic and chlorine-free credentials and holds certifications including GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for cotton sourcing. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or PFAS-free status, despite growing industry scrutiny of water-resistant or fluid-barrier components in period products. Natracare has established a track record of environmental and safety-focused marketing but has not addressed PFAS "forever chemicals" in public statements or product documentation.
How it compares in its category
Organic cotton tampons with cardboard applicators rank lower in concern than conventional tampons (which use bleached, non-organic cotton and plastic applicators) and comparable to other organic, applicator-free or cardboard-applicator brands. Plastic-applicator tampons carry additional concerns for microplastic shedding and chemical leachates. Natracare's organic certification and chlorine-free processing align with the safest end of commercial tampon offerings, though PFAS status remains a gap in the category overall.
If you buy it
Use tampons as directed on the package; replace every 4 to 8 hours to reduce toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk, a concern independent of material. Cardboard applicators are compostable; do not flush them down toilets. Inspect the product for any visible contamination or odor before use. If you experience irritation, rash, or unusual symptoms, discontinue use and consult a healthcare provider; sensitization to organic fibers or cardboard is rare but possible.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Natracare has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- organic cotton with natural fibers
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Microplastics
Organyc
100% Certified Organic Cotton Tampons Cardboard Applicator
- 100% organic cotton with cardboard applicator
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Cardboard applicator structural integrity over time
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