Tranquility · Incontinence Pads & Protection
Tranquility Select Underpad
Wait for brand to reveal waterproof coating composition before purchasing.
These underpads rely on waterproof polymer backing to prevent leaks, but the exact coating remains undisclosed. Without transparency or testing, PFAS risk cannot be eliminated.
The better-graded swap
Organic Bamboo Incontinence Pads - White
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
Cellulose core with waterproof polymer backing (unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Tranquility Select Underpad is made of, ingredients and materials
Tranquility Select Underpad uses a cellulose absorbent core (wood pulp-based, not a material linked to PFAS) with a waterproof polymer backing of unspecified composition. The backing is the critical unknown, it could be polyethylene, polypropylene, or a synthetic material treated with water-repellent coatings. Without disclosure, you cannot assess whether the backing contains PFAS, plasticizers, or other leachables that could contact skin during extended wear.
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.
Waterproof polymer coating composition (unspecified)
Backing material and any water-repellent treatments are not disclosed. Risk depends on polymer type and additives; PFAS, phthalates, or other leachables cannot be ruled out without transparency.
Microplastics
Repeated wetting, friction, and flexing can cause synthetic polymer backing to fragment over months of use. Fragments potentially contact skin or enter washwater; impact unclear.
Source, EPA ↗Off-gassing or odor from synthetic backing
New underpads may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polymer or adhesive curing, especially if stored in warm conditions. Airing before first use can reduce this.
What’s reassuring
Skin contact and irritant potential
No established reports of dermatitis from Tranquility Select specifically. Cellulose core is inert; risk would arise only if backing additives leach, which is undocumented.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No public evidence that Tranquility uses formaldehyde-releasing adhesives in this product. Cellulose-based products sometimes employ urea-formaldehyde binders, but none reported here.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Tranquility (SCA/Essity-owned) does not publicly disclose waterproof backing chemistry on product labels or websites. The brand has not published safety certifications (e.g., Oeko-Tex, GOTS) or composition transparency reports for this product. No major safety recalls or controversies are established in public records, but silence on formulation is a red flag for a product worn against sensitive skin for hours daily.
How it compares in its category
Period pads and underpads in this tier typically use similar cellulose-plus-polymer designs. Competitors like Kotex and Always also do not routinely disclose waterproof coating details, making this category-wide transparency problem rather than brand-specific. Brands offering certified organic or PFAS-free claims (e.g., some indie or EU-marketed products) are rare but exist; Tranquility Select does not market such positioning.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight, as polymers can degrade and release volatile compounds over time. Change underpads regularly; do not reuse if they show adhesive breakdown, discoloration, or odor (signs of material degradation). If you experience skin irritation, rash, or unusual odor during use, discontinue and contact the brand or dermatologist. Request the brand's material safety data sheet (MSDS) or waterproof coating specification before large purchases if skin sensitivity is a concern.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% 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.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Tranquility Select Underpad?
- Bamboo-derived viscose, cotton, plant-based absorbent core
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Heavy metals
- 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, all on its full breakdown.
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, all on its full breakdown.
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.