used to use two of them. 😳…SEE MORE

But when it comes time to fill the bathroom, things get a little fuzzy. While the peer-reviewed studies cited in this conversation so far haven’t mentioned any specific brands, further independent tests have tried to fill in those blanks.

It is, of course, absolutely essential to take these results with a grain of salt, as most of these tests are merely a series of spot checks, not exhaustive tests of a wide variety of brands. Take, for instance, a 2023 report conducted by Mamavation, in partnership with Environmental Health News, where 17 different products were sent to an EPA-certified lab to test for total fluorine, a chemical which is a common indicator of PFAS.Health

The levels found were generally low, in the range of 10 to 35 parts per million, which Environmental Health News indicates is a level at which these chemicals are “unlikely to be added on purpose, but are instead accidental contaminants from the manufacturing process.”

The “caution list” from limited testing

Within that particular screen of 17 brands, four of these products were shown to have detectable levels of fluorine. This doesn’t mean all rolls of these brands have fluorine in them; however, it is a reminder of how contamination can seep in.

Charmin Ultra Soft: As a major conventional brand, it is placed in this category based on those initial screening tests.

Seventh Generation 100% Recycled: Even green-rated brands are not spared. The company notes that because they use recycled paper, there’s a chance that any impurities in the original source material (such as old inks or coatings) may be found in their final product, too.

Tushy & Who Gives a Crap (Bamboo): Both brands were found in the limited fluorine screening tests. Who Gives a Crap has taken this situation in stride, noting on their site under their Transparency section: “Through our regular testing, we have found some trace amounts of organic fluorine… we won’t stop there! We are sooo committed to investigating where this contamination is coming from.”

These disclosures don’t settle the question, but they do confirm that concerns about contamination are a very real problem for manufacturers, not a purely hypothetical one.Office Supplies

Two categories to approach with extra care

Aside from the names themselves, you can generally protect yourself by being aware of two general categories of chemicals that often cause problems in safety standards such as the 2025 Green Seal GS-1 Standard:

The “Extra” Rolls: This category includes anything heavily scented or treated with lotions. These additives are not really necessary and can include hidden chemicals. The Green Seal standard even bans these kinds of additives in sanitary paper to avoid these risks.

The “Vague” Brands: If a company does not discuss their recycling contamination control or their whitening process, then it might be time to go elsewhere. Transparency is the only guarantee of safety.

What’s the safe bet?

If you want to play it safe, the strongest advice you can follow is this: look for the most basic products available. The current gold standard is trending towards Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) processes. This is a big deal, as the World Health Organization (WHO) has pointed out that previous chlorine bleaching processes have resulted in the creation of Dioxins – a type of toxic by-product.

The moral of this story is this: take a look at those with clear labels and a fragrance-free guarantee, and those with vague promises and luxury add-ons, and think of those as less safe options. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about choosing a brand that is working hardest to be perfect.

Conclusion

Toilet paper is not exactly something we ever thought we’d have to go around “auditing” in terms of safety, and learning that this is another contributing factor to this worldwide problem of PFAS chemicals in our environment is just another thing to add to the list of worries, right? However, let’s keep in mind that this is just a small piece of a gigantic worldwide puzzle, and this is not the entire picture.

The most balanced advice, in this case, would be: Don’t panic, but stay informed. You are not going to change the worldwide chemical situation by changing your type of toilet paper, but you can help change your personal household’s contribution to this situation. Going with simpler, less processed products is a classic example of a “low effort, high reward” situation. It’s a small change, but if millions of people are making this change, then this will start to change the market.

But until that time, a little bit of information and awareness is a big help in keeping your house and the world a little cleaner.

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