But there\u2019s a scientific reason why researchers are looking into this. It seems that some toilet paper out there has PFAS, or what\u2019s sometimes called \u201cforever chemicals,\u201d which means they just don\u2019t go away. That\u2019s not to say that the rolls in your bathroom right now are a health risk or anything, but rather that an unremarkable aspect of our lives has become part of a bigger, more complex story.<\/p>\n
The point of all of this, however, isn\u2019t to try and freak everyone out, but rather to consider the facts, determine what, if anything, we should be worried about, and what we should do about it.<\/p>\n
How toilet paper joined the PFAS conversation<\/h2>\n
This is not the result of a social movement; it is the result of a lab. Scientists studied wastewater samples and realized something unusual. Certain types of PFAS were showing up in the sewage. As they back-tracked to determine the origin, toilet paper came into the picture.<\/p>\n
A\u00a0study\u00a0conducted in 2023 by the University of Florida analyzed rolls from North America, Europe, and Africa. The researchers detected measurable levels of fluorinated compounds in the rolls. The concern, however, was not the presence of these chemicals but the method by which they were being \u201cdisposed of.\u201d<\/p>\n
While a jacket or a pan might be used and then stored, toilet paper is used and then immediately disposed of. It goes right into the water system, which was not designed to filter out these kinds of molecules. Eventually, millions of households\u2019 worth of toilet paper can make up a large portion of the PFAS in the sewage sludge.<\/p>\n
The interesting thing is, these chemicals are not always intentionally added. Sometimes, they are inadvertently added during the manufacturing process, recycled paper pulp, or even machine lubricants in the factory.<\/p>\n
Now, let\u2019s get a little more specific. PFAS is a\u00a0huge category of chemicals, with thousands of different varieties. While some, like PFOA, are associated with serious health problems, such as increased risk of cancer or suppressed immune systems, this risk level is completely dependent on how you are exposed.<\/p>\n
The biggest risk with toilet paper, however, is not your skin at all. Most health experts, including those at the\u00a0EWG<\/a>, observe that skin absorption of PFAS is very, very low. The big culprits in human exposure are contaminated drinking water and food packaging.<\/p>\n Therefore, while these chemicals are noted in the product, the risk level as a result of using the product is low. The problem lies in the environmental build-up. Since these PFAS do not degrade, they accumulate in our soil and water forever.<\/p>\n But the real story begins when you push the handle. When the PFAS is introduced into the wastewater treatment, it is frequently included in \u201cbiosolids\u201d (treated sewage sludge). It is frequently used as fertilizer for industrial farms.<\/p>\n This is the cycle: the chemicals go from the paper to the water, to the soil, and even into the food we might one day be eating. It is the environmental impact in slow motion, showing the effect our daily choices can have on our footprint.<\/p>\n If we try to do the right thing for the planet, we assume that using recycled or bamboo paper, as opposed to traditional wood pulp, is a get out of jail free card, so to speak, in terms of trees and carbon footprints. But in terms of chemical purity, there are a number of issues, some of which are a little ironic.<\/p>\n The Recycled Paper Paradox<\/strong>: While recycled toilet paper can be a fantastic option for the circular economy, it can be a \u201cmagnet\u201d for unwanted chemicals. Consider what we put in the recycling bin. Glossy magazines, shipping labels, and thermal cash register receipts can all make their way into the recycling bin. These items can have BPA or PFAS to make them water-resistant or printable. If we mash them up into pulp, we can end up with unwanted microscopic chemicals in the finished product. Unless a company has extremely stringent filtration, your \u201ceco-friendly\u201d option could have more of these chemicals in it than virgin wood pulp.<\/p>\n The Bamboo Factor<\/strong>: While bamboo itself is considered a miracle crop because of its incredible growth rate and low water requirements, once the bamboo is cut, it must then be processed into soft, white paper. The safety of the finished product, however, rests entirely in the idea of a \u201cclosed-loop\u201d factory. If the company uses harsh chemical solvents or even elemental chlorine to leach the difficult bamboo fibers, then we\u2019re right back to square one. To get the full benefits of bamboo, we must find companies that emphasize mechanical processing over chemical-based techniques.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t mentioned any specific brands, further independent tests have tried to fill in those blanks.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0Mamavation<\/em>, in partnership with\u00a0Environmental Health News<\/em>, 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u201cunlikely to be added on purpose, but are instead accidental contaminants from the manufacturing process.\u201d<\/p>\n Within that particular screen of 17 brands, four of these products were shown to have detectable levels of fluorine. This doesn\u2019t mean all rolls of these brands have fluorine in them; however, it is a reminder of how contamination can seep in.<\/p>\n Charmin Ultra Soft: As a major conventional brand, it is placed in this category based on those\u00a0initial screening tests.<\/p>\n Seventh Generation 100% Recycled: Even green-rated brands are not spared. The company notes that because they use recycled paper, there\u2019s a chance that any impurities in the original source material (such as old inks or coatings) may be found in their final product, too.<\/p>\n 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: \u201cThrough our regular testing, we have found some trace amounts of organic fluorine\u2026 we won\u2019t stop there! We are sooo committed to investigating where this contamination is coming from.\u201d<\/p>\n These disclosures don\u2019t settle the question, but they do confirm that concerns about contamination are a very real problem for manufacturers, not a purely hypothetical one.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/boreddaddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pexels-vlada-karpovich-3958205-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>The bigger picture: Life after the flush<\/h2>\n
Recycled vs. Bamboo: Are \u201ceco\u201d options safer?<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/boreddaddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pexels-alexasfotos-10760874-1024x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>How to shop smarter: Products to watch<\/h2>\n
The \u201ccaution list\u201d from limited testing<\/h2>\n
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