Would you like to know which products our lab says has indications of PFAS “forever chemicals?” Well, keep watching because Mamavation has been commissioning our own studies in partnership with Environmental Health News & The Institute for Green Science at Carnegie Mellon University.
PFAS “forever chemicals” are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances used as stain-resistant, water-resistant, & oil-resistant chemicals in commerce. They have been used for decades inside consumer products, manufacturing, and building materials. There are over 12,000 different chemicals in the PFAS chemical class (including PFOA & PTFE), and because there are so many of them, they are incredibly hard to identify and test for. In fact, it’s only really possible to identify about 100 or so in a really good commercial laboratory or 250 in a university setting.
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Mamavation Testing Details
Mamavation tested these products using an EPA-certified lab method that measures total organic fluorine (TOF) by first determining total fluorine (oxygen flask combustion + ion-selective electrode) and subtracting any inorganic/free fluoride. This provides a screening-level indicator of fluorinated organic compounds. Because nearly all PFAS contain organic fluorine, elevated TOF is widely used by scientists and regulators as a proxy/surrogate for potential PFAS presence (e.g., certain state laws use 100 ppm TOF thresholds.) However, TOF does not identify specific compounds and cannot distinguish PFAS from other rare organofluorines. Targeted testing (LC-MS/MS) would be required for confirmation of individual PFAS.
According to our advisors, this marker testing is likely to show the presence of PFAS. Organic fluorine can also capture other fluoropolymers, pharmaceuticals, and common hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, such as 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (commonly known as R-134a) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (commonly known as HFO-1234yf). Our advisors are also concerned about non-PFAS organofluorines and warn that none of these additional chemicals are anything you want in products either.
Specifically, Scott Belcher, Ph.D. & Associate Professor with the Center for Environmental & Health Effects of PFAS at North Carolina State University says “fluoropolymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), are extremely common forms of PFAS that could be contributing to the organic fluorine found in consumer products. Methods used for detecting individual PFAS, such as PFOA or GenX, cannot directly identify PTFE. However, the analysis of total organic fluorine (TOF) does account for all PFAS contaminants in bras, including PTFE. Therefore, this method of testing serves as a good ‘spot-check’ of consumer products.”
States With Explicit TOF Thresholds for PFAS Limits
The following states have explicit TOF thresholds to regulate PFAS in products.
California
- Juvenile Products –Prohibits “regulated PFAS,” defined as intentionally added PFAS or ≥ 100 ppm total organic fluorine via California Bill AB652.
- Plant-Based Fiber Food Packaging — Prohibits “regulated PFAS,” defined as intentionally added PFAS ≥ 100 ppm TOF via California Bill 1200
- Textile Articles –Prohibits “regulated PFAS” with 100 ppm TOF threshold starting Jan. 1, 2025; drops to 50 ppm on Jan. 1, 2027 via California Bill AB1817
Washington
- Textile Articles & Juvenile Products-Uses “regulated PFAS,” including presence at or above 100 ppm total organic fluorine (drops to 50 ppm on July 1, 2027).
Vermont
- General –Certain product categories (e.g., apparel, cleaning products, firefighting PPE, ski waxes; amended Safer Products Rule, phases from 2026/2027): >50 ppm total fluorine creates a rebuttable presumption of intentionally added PFAS (manufacturers can provide evidence otherwise). Note: This uses total fluorine, not strictly organic fluorine, but is often discussed alongside TOF methods.
More Information on Mamavation & Studies
How are Mamavation consumer studies funded? We receive donations from Environmental Health News & Mamavation community members, but other than that, we use the proceeds from affiliate and ad revenue from the site to fund the studies. So anytime you purchase from a link on Mamavation, you are also supporting our PFAS consumer studies. So thank you!
Here’s a list of PFAS consumer studies Mamavation has commissioned thus far:
Beauty & Personal Care Products
- Green Beauty Makeup –100+ products
- Lip Balms — 20 products
- Deodorants — 15 products
- Toilet Paper — 17 products
- Dental Floss — 39 products
- Contact Lenses — 18 products
- Condoms & Lubricants — 29 products
- Bandages like “Band-Aids” — 40 products
- Mouth Tape — 11 products
Food & Beverages Testing
- Butter Wrappers — 32 products
- Fast Food Packaging — 81 products
- Nut Butters — 33 products
- Cooking Oils — 67 products
- Pasta & Tomato Sauces — 55 products
- Ketchup — 12 products
- Non-Dairy Powdered Creamers — 10 products
- Chamomile Teas — 13 products
- Green Teas— 12 products
- Earl Grey Teas — 12 products
- Sparkling Waters — 15 products
- Store-bought Pasta — 8 products
Supplements Testing
- Electrolytes — 40 products
- Children’s Probiotics — 21 products
- Protein Powders — 11 products
- Children’s Multivitamins — 9 products
Menstrual Products Testing
- Tampons — 23 brands
- Sanitary Pads & Incontinence Pads – 46 products
- Period Underwear — 20 brands
Clothing Testing
- Activewear –Yoga Pants & Workout Leggings— 32 products
- Sports bras — 23 products
Food Packaging & Parchment Paper Testing
- Parchment Paper Baking Paper Brands Full Investigation— 5 products
- Cupcake Liners — 3 products
- Plastic Free Disposable Straws — 4 products
- Fast Food & Grocery Store Packaging Testing — combined with a study from Consumer Reports
- Sandwich Bags like Ziploc — 11 products
- Paper Plates — 11 products
- Paper Towels — 16 products
Baby & Children Testing
- Strollers
- Diapers
- Probiotics for Children
- Kids Backpacks — 19 products
Computers, Phones, & Office Testing
Cleaning & Laundry Testing
Other Investigations You’ll Love
Phthalate Testing Results (Plasticizer)
- Cooking Oils
- Olive Oils
- Avocado Oils
- Coconut Oils
- Ghees
- Tallows
- Flaxseed Oils
- Collagen Phthalate Testing: Perfect Supplements
- Protein Powders
- Armra Colostrum
- Essential Oils
- Children’s Multivitamins
500+ Other Pesticides
Heavy Metal Testing Results
- The Stanley Reusable Stainless Steel Cup
- Salts
- Cinnamon
- Basmati Rice
- Jasmine Rice
- Ramen & Rice Noodles
- Tuna
- Glass Measuring Cups
- Baby Bottles
- Protein Powders
Want a list of all our investigations? You’ll find that here. Want something more of a simple purchasing guide? You can find our Mamavation Buying Guide here.