Tranquility · Incontinence Pads & Protection
Tranquility Heavy-Duty Underpads
Waterproof backing treatment not disclosed; request details from brand.
These underpads use waterproof backing without disclosed treatment details. The brand hasn't addressed PFAS concerns or material transparency.
The safe swap
Tranquility
Tranquility Personal Care Pads 13.5" x 6.5", 96/Case
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 with waterproof backing (unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Unspecified waterproof treatment is typical vector for PFAS in incontinence products. Without brand disclosure, fluorinated compounds cannot be ruled out and chronic skin contact poses low but non-zero exposure risk.
Source: ATSDR ↗Leachables from polyurethane or polyethylene backing degradation
If backing is polyurethane-coated, prolonged heat exposure, urine contact, or aging can degrade coating and release oligomers or unreacted monomers. Risk is low in normal storage but increases with product shelf-life or warm, moist environments.
What’s reassuring
Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) dust or microparticles
Standard SAP cores in underpads do not release particulates under normal use; no contamination reports exist for Tranquility Heavy-Duty pads. Risk is minimal if backing remains intact.
Skin irritation from adhesive or fastening materials
No allergen or sensitizer warnings have been published for Tranquility underpads. Product does not typically include latex or common irritants, though individual sensitivity to synthetic backings is possible.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Tranquility underpads do not list formaldehyde-releasing resins in available product information. Modern incontinence products typically avoid these; no recall or hazard alert exists for this line.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Tranquility Heavy-Duty Underpads combine an absorbent core (likely superabsorbent polymer or cellulose fibers) with a waterproof backing layer. The backing material is not specified on packaging or brand literature, which is the critical gap: waterproof layers in incontinence products are commonly treated with PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") to achieve liquid repellency, or occasionally coated with polyurethane or polyethylene. Without disclosure, the chemical identity of the waterproof treatment cannot be verified. The absorbent core itself poses minimal hazard if made from standard cellulose or SAP, but the backing's composition determines whether long-term skin contact poses fluorinated compound exposure.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tranquility (Attends Healthcare Products/Hengan International) does not publicly disclose the chemical composition of its waterproof backing or confirm PFAS-free certification for this product line. The brand has not published independent test results, third-party certifications (e.g., Oeko-Tex, STANDARD 100), or PFAS avoidance statements. This silence is notable because incontinence product manufacturers including Essity (TENA), Kimberly-Clark (Depend), and some smaller competitors have begun offering PFAS transparency or non-fluorinated alternatives in response to regulatory attention. Tranquility's lack of proactive disclosure suggests either reliance on conventional PFAS-treated backing or insufficient pressure to report otherwise.
How it compares in its category
Heavy-duty underpads in the incontinence care market typically use PFAS-based or fluorocarbon backings for durability and waterproofing. Few mainstream brands (except some European or premium lines) offer verified PFAS-free alternatives, making Tranquility's non-disclosure typical rather than exceptional within mass-market US retail. Competitors like Attends Bariatric and some Medline products similarly lack public PFAS confirmation. In contrast, smaller brands and some hospital-grade suppliers now market PFAS-free or fully biodegradable options (e.g., certain flushable underpads with polyester backing), though cost and availability differ. Tranquility sits in the standard-risk category pending brand transparency.
If you buy it
Contact Tranquility customer service directly and request written confirmation of the waterproof backing material and whether PFAS or fluorocarbon treatments are used. Store underpads in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight to avoid potential leaching or degradation of the backing layer. Replace underpads immediately if the waterproof backing shows tears, peeling, or discoloration, as compromised backing increases leakage and may release fibers or coating particles. Wash hands after handling, and do not heat-treat or machine wash these products (heat can degrade polyurethane or polymer coatings and accelerate release of volatile components).
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
- Tranquility has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Incontinence Pads & Protection
Tranquility
Personal Care Pads 13.5" x 6.5", 96/Case
Cellulose, wood pulp, absorbent core, adhesives
Chlorine residues from bleaching
Limited concern
Bacterial growth and contamination during storage or use
Limited concern
Standard materials suggest lower PFAS risk; no treatment evident.
⚠Risky category by default
Tranquility
Essential Booster Pads Heavy Absorbency, Long - 4-1/4 x 15 Inch (Case of 200)
cellulose/fluff pulp absorbent core with nonwoven layers
Skin irritation or allergic reaction
Limited concern
Bacterial or fungal growth if pad remains in place too long
High concern
Standard materials carry lower PFAS risk; no water-repellent coating treatment found.
⚠Risky category by default
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.