Northshore · Incontinence Pads & Protection
NorthShore EternaDry Booster Pads
Booster pads carry moderate PFAS concern due to waterproofing; brand silence is a red flag.
Absorbent pads typically use water-resistant backings that may contain PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings, though newer non-PFAS water barriers exist. NorthShore makes no public PFAS disclosure or material sourcing statement.
The better-graded swap
Lille
LILLE Suprem Form Maxi 2920ml
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
absorbent core (likely cellulose/SAP), plastic/PE backing, adhesives
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What NorthShore EternaDry Booster Pads is made of, ingredients and materials
NorthShore EternaDry Booster Pads use a superabsorbent polymer (SAP, likely sodium polyacrylate) core combined with cellulose fluff to absorb and retain liquid, with a polyethylene (PE) plastic backing for leak prevention and adhesive strips for positioning. The PE backing waterproofing layer is where PFAS chemicals are most likely present, as fluorinated compounds are industry-standard for moisture barriers in disposable absorbent products. Adhesives used in the backing and strips can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or synthetic polymers that off-gas, particularly when stored in warm or humid conditions.
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.
PFAS
PE plastic backing in incontinence products commonly uses fluorinated compounds for water resistance; NorthShore's silence on this and low PFAS grade (25/100) suggest elevated likelihood of PFAS presence without confirmation of fluorine-free alternatives.
Source, ATSDR ↗Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from adhesives and polymers
Synthetic adhesive strips and PE backing can release VOCs (including aldehydes or acrylates) especially when stored warm or in sealed packaging; individual sensitivity varies widely and risk is typically low with proper ventilation.
Skin sensitization or irritation from adhesive residue
Synthetic adhesives in incontinence pads are common causes of mild dermatitis or allergic contact reactions; NorthShore products are not uniquely flagged but adhesive composition is often undisclosed, limiting pre-purchase assessment.
Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) residue or particles on skin
Sodium polyacrylate particles can occasionally migrate from worn pads, especially if the cellulose layer degrades; direct contact may cause minor irritation in sensitive individuals, though systemic toxicity risk is very low.
Polymer degradation under heat or prolonged storage
Extended storage in warm climates or near heat sources can weaken PE backing integrity and increase leaching of unreacted monomers or plasticizers; rotate stock regularly and store at room temperature to minimize this risk.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
NorthShore Care Products does not publicly disclose detailed material safety data, PFAS testing results, or certifications for chemical content in their incontinence product lines. The brand has no widely documented recall history for chemical contamination, but the silence on PFAS and material composition is notable given industry-wide scrutiny of forever chemicals in absorbent products. No third-party certifications (such as Oeko-Tex or similar restricted substance testing) are advertised for this product line, which limits independent verification of hazard levels.
How it compares in its category
Booster pads sit at the lower end of incontinence product complexity compared to full pull-ups or briefs, which reduces total material volume and thus potential hazard exposure. Most booster pads in this category (Depend, Tena, store brands) use similar SAP-cellulose-PE construction, so chemical profiles are broadly comparable. Brands offering sustainability certifications or explicit PFAS-free claims (fewer in the booster segment) provide marginally higher transparency, though testing data remains scarce across the entire category.
If you buy it
Replace pads promptly after use to minimize skin contact with absorbed fluids and any leached chemicals; do not reuse or wash for reuse. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to reduce VOC off-gassing from adhesives and plastic backing. Discontinue use if skin irritation, rash, or unusual odor develops, as this may indicate adhesive sensitivity or polymer degradation. If PFAS exposure is a primary concern, consider requesting material safety documentation from NorthShore or switching to a brand with published PFAS-free claims.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Northshore has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Incontinence Pads & Protection
Eco By Naty
Incontinence Pads
- Bamboo-derived viscose, cotton, plant-based absorbent core
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Heavy metals
Because Market
Because Booster Pads
- Cellulose, superabsorbent polymer, cotton blend
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Absorbent material degradation and bacterial growth
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
5pcs Bamboo Charcoal Washable Incontinence Pads
- bamboo charcoal textile, washable cotton-blend absorbent layer
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
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.