Playtex SPORT Regular & Super Tampons
Lower concern; no known PFAS use, but brand offers no transparency.
Playtex SPORT tampons use cotton and rayon, materials with lower PFAS concern. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or risk mitigation.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Cotton, rayon, plastic applicator
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Playtex SPORT Regular & Super Tampons is made of, ingredients and materials
Playtex SPORT tampons use a cotton-rayon blend in the absorbent core, with a plastic applicator (typically polypropylene). Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber that absorbs well but carries no known toxicity hazard in vaginal-contact applications. The plastic applicator is smooth-surfaced, non-porous rigid material; there is no coating or surface treatment on record, so leaching concern is minimal provided the applicator remains intact.
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.
Dioxin/chlorine residue from bleaching
Cotton-rayon tampons are conventionally bleached; Playtex does not publish dioxin limits or reduced-bleach/ECF (elemental chlorine-free) certification. Dioxin exposure risk from tampons is low in absolute terms, but nonzero and unquantified for this product without third-party testing on record.
Pesticide residue
Playtex does not declare organic or pesticide-tested cotton sourcing. Conventional cotton may carry residual pesticides; absorption through vaginal mucosa is theoretically possible but epidemiologic evidence of harm from tampon use is not established. Unknown for this specific product batch.
Source, EPA ↗Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
TSS is a rare but documented systemic risk associated with tampon use across all brands and materials, driven by insertion duration and absorbency level rather than material composition. Playtex carries no elevated TSS risk relative to competitors; standard 4-8 hour replacement intervals mitigate this.
Plastic applicator brittleness or breakage
Polypropylene applicators can crack or fracture if stored in heat or humidity; no recall or bulk-failure record for Playtex SPORT on file. Risk is user-dependent (storage and handling) rather than a manufacturing defect.
Vaginal irritation or allergic sensitization
No known allergen or irritant specific to Playtex's formulation is on record. Individual sensitivity to rayon, cotton finishes, or fragrance (if any) varies; this is not a product-specific hazard but a category-wide consideration for some users.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Playtex does not publicly disclose material sourcing, pesticide residue testing, or bleach/dioxin reduction practices. The brand has not faced major product recalls or contamination incidents in the U.S. market related to this product. Playtex's parent company (Edgewell Personal Care) maintains no published certification (organic, conventional safety standard, or material transparency) for tampons, distinguishing it from some competitors that pursue third-party validation.
How it compares in its category
Playtex SPORT sits in the mainstream mass-market segment. It uses conventional cotton-rayon, unlike organic-only or 100% cotton alternatives. Plastic applicators are standard across mass-market brands; cardboard applicators (fewer in circulation) present lower plastic waste but identical product-safety profiles. Absorbency rating (Regular/Super) does not change material hazard profile.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place to prevent plastic brittleness or mold on the absorbent core. Replace the tampon every 4-8 hours to reduce toxic shock syndrome risk, independent of brand. Inspect the applicator for cracks before insertion; discard if damaged. If vaginal irritation or allergic reaction occurs, note timing and consider a different absorbency level or brand.
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
- Playtex has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Playtex SPORT Regular & Super Tampons?
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Fragrance allergens (if scented variant)
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
More period care grades
100Seventh Generation Maxi Pads - Overnight
70Cora Organic Cotton Pads
70Dame Organic Cotton Tampons
70DeoDoc Cotton Tampons
70Maxim Hygiene Organic Cotton Cardboard Applicator Tampons
70Cora Organic Tampons
70Lola 100% Organic Cotton Tampons Applicator Free
70Lola 100% Organic Cotton Tampons Cardboard Applicator
70August Organic Cotton Top Layer Pads, 36-Pack Regular
70Aunt Flow Organic Cotton Cardboard Applicator TamponsCompare vs Natracare →All period care →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.