TLDR
PFAS "forever chemicals" have been found in some popular toilet paper brands, including traditional wood pulp, recycled, and even some bamboo options. The chemicals usually enter the product through supply chain contamination, meaning even eco-friendly brands aren't automatically safe. Brands like Safari Kind use carefully sourced FSC-certified bamboo and a clean production process to keep our toilet paper free of PFAS, chlorine, bleach, and fragrances so you can wipe knowing what's exactly in your paper.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They're a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products since the 1940s, from non-stick pans to waterproof jackets. The nickname "forever chemicals" comes from the fact that they don't break down. Once PFAS enter your body or the environment, they stay. According to the CDC, at least 97% of Americans have PFAS compounds in their blood right now. That's why the EPA finalized the first federal drinking water standards for six PFAS compounds in April 2024, aiming to reduce exposure for approximately 100 million Americans.
Why Are PFAS a Health Concern?
Research on PFAS has accelerated dramatically in the past five years, and the findings are concerning. Studies have linked PFAS exposure to several serious health issues:
- Increased risk of certain cancers, including colorectal and kidney cancer
- Reduced fertility and pregnancy complications
- Developmental delays in children
- Reduced immune function, including lower vaccine effectiveness
- Liver and heart damage
A 2022 study estimated the cost of PFAS-related diseases in the United States at between $5.5 billion and $62 billion annually.2 It's a real, measurable problem, and it's one where individual choices genuinely add up.
How Do PFAS End Up in Toilet Paper?
Here's the frustrating part: PFAS are rarely added to toilet paper on purpose. They usually end up there through supply chain contamination.
A 2023 study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters identified chemicals called diPAPs in toilet paper. These are processing additives used in pulp production, and traces can remain in the finished paper.
Other pathways include contaminated water used in manufacturing, PFAS from recycled paper sources, and chemical treatments applied for softness or absorbency. This means even brands with the best intentions can end up with PFAS in their final product if their supply chain isn't tightly monitored.
What the Testing Actually Found
The most comprehensive independent testing of toilet paper for PFAS was conducted by Mamavation in partnership with Environmental Health News. They sent 23 different toilet paper products to an EPA-certified lab to test for organic fluorine (a marker for PFAS).
22% of all toilet paper tested showed indications of PFAS.
Brands that tested positive included Charmin Ultra Soft, Seventh Generation 100% Recycled, Tushy Bamboo, and Who Gives A Crap Bamboo. Levels ranged from 10 to 35 parts per million.
How to Choose Genuinely PFAS-Free Toilet Paper
Because the term "PFAS-free" isn't regulated, brands can technically make this claim without much backing it up. Here's what to look for:
- Third-party lab testing: Look for brands that use independent, EPA-certified labs, not internal testing.
- Recent test results: Testing should be within the past 12-24 months, not from years ago.
- Willingness to share documentation: Any brand that's truly PFAS-free will happily share their test results.
- FSC certification: Not a direct PFAS test, but a signal that the brand takes supply chain transparency seriously.
- Unbleached options: Fewer chemicals in processing means fewer opportunities for contamination.
If a brand can't or won't share testing documentation, that's a red flag worth paying attention to.
Shop PFAS-Free Bamboo Toilet Paper by Safari Kind
At Safari Kind, we chose our bamboo supplier carefully because we believe household products should be genuinely safe, not just marketed that way. Our 100% bamboo toilet paper is FSC-certified, unbleached, and free of dyes, fragrances, and harsh chemicals.
Every roll is wrapped in plastic-free packaging, and 10% of every order goes to wildlife conservation nonprofits. Because choosing better products should mean better outcomes for people, the planet, and the animals whose habitats depend on both.
Ready to make the switch? Explore our subscription options and see why our customers stick with us longterm.
Sources:
- United States Environmental Protection Agency. EPA Sets First-Ever National Drinking Water Standards to Combat PFAS.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. Forever chemicals: the persistent effects of PFAS on human health.
- Environmental Science & Technology Letters. Toilet Paper: A Potentially Overlooked Source of PFAS. March 2023.
- Mamavation. Indications of Toxic PFAS "Forever Chemicals" Found in Toilet Paper.
