PFAS in Toilet Paper: What Every Canadian Should Know

Toilet paper has one job. Bringing mystery ingredients into the bathroom shouldn’t be part of it.

You may have heard of PFAS, often called “forever chemicals.” They’re a large group of synthetic substances used in a range of products, from water-resistant clothing to food packaging. Some have also been detected in toilet paper.

So what does that mean for your next roll? Let’s unpack the terminology, the testing and the questions worth asking.

What are PFAS, exactly?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The term covers thousands of chemicals. Many are highly persistent in the environment, which is where the “forever chemicals” nickname comes from.

Some PFAS can also remain in the body for long periods. Their behaviour and potential effects vary by substance and exposure. That’s why it helps to be specific about which chemicals a test actually measures.

How could PFAS get into toilet paper?

Raw materials and paper manufacturing are possible entry points. Recycled fibres can carry substances from their earlier uses, while manufacturing inputs can introduce substances during production.

That doesn’t mean recycled toilet paper necessarily contains more PFAS, or that virgin fibre guarantees their absence. A material label cannot replace testing of the finished product.

And a useful distinction: BPA and PFAS are different things. A BPA-free claim doesn’t tell you whether a product has been tested for PFAS.

How do you know what’s in your roll?

Start with evidence. Words like “natural,” “gentle” and “sensitive” don’t tell you which PFAS substances were tested, what method was used or what the results were.

An independent laboratory report gives you something more concrete to examine. Look for the tested product, the date, the substances covered and the laboratory’s reporting limits.

What does “PFAS-free” actually mean?

The wording needs context. A targeted test measures a defined list of substances. Even a panel covering hundreds of PFAS cannot establish the absence of every substance in this large chemical group.

“Not detected” means the laboratory did not detect the tested substance above the applicable detection threshold. It does not mean an absolute zero.

For Roll Up bamboo toilet paper, our stated result is specific: SGS tested for 545 individual PFAS substances, with none detected. We believe shoppers should be able to understand that scope without needing a chemistry degree.

Why we choose bamboo.

Bamboo is a grass, and it’s the fibre we use to make our toilet paper. Using virgin bamboo fibre avoids using post-consumer recycled paper as the starting material. It does not automatically make the finished roll PFAS-free. Manufacturing and testing still matter.

Our bamboo toilet paper is also:

• Made using an ECF process. Elemental Chlorine Free means no elemental chlorine gas is used in bleaching; it does not mean all chlorine-based bleaching agents are excluded.
• BPA-free. A separate product claim from our PFAS testing.
• Made without added dyes or fragrances. Because your toilet paper doesn’t need a signature scent.

Four questions worth asking.

Before taking a PFAS claim at face value, ask the brand:

1. Has the finished product been independently tested?
   Ask for testing evidence that relates to the product you’re buying.
2. Which PFAS substances were included?
   The scope matters, alongside the method and detection limits.
3. Who performed the testing?
   Look for a clearly identified independent laboratory.
4. Can I see the report?
   A useful report lets you check the sample, date, results and limitations.

If the answers are vague, keep asking. Clear claims deserve clear explanations.