• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

MAMAVATION

Mamavation | Healthy Living | Lifestyle | Detoxify Home | Product Recommendations

Mobile Menu

  • Start Here
    • Read This First
    • Product Investigations
    • About Leah Segedie
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • Press Page
    • Advisory Panel
    • Contact
  • Blog
    • Popular Posts | Mamavation
    • Food | Mamavation
    • Beauty | Mamavation
    • Health | Mamavation
    • Environmental News
    • Product Investigations | Mamavation
    • Motherhood | Mamavation
    • Brand Essentials | Mamavation
    • DIY | Mamavation
    • Recipes | Mamavation
    • Activism | Mamavation
  • Book
  • Shop
    • Amazon Shop
    • Deals & Discounts
  • Investigations
    • Air Fryers
    • Air Purifiers
    • Cleaning Products
    • Coffee
    • Collagen & Gelatin
    • Crib Mattresses
    • Diapers
    • Laundry Detergents
    • Olive Oils
    • Organic Mattresses
    • Protein Powders
    • Shampoo & Conditioners
    • Water Filtration Systems
    • More Investigations
  • Membership
  • Join
    • Facebook Fan Page
    • Private Facebook Group
    • Instagram
  • Sign in
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Start Here
    • Read This First
    • Product Investigations
    • About Leah Segedie
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • Press Page
    • Advisory Panel
    • Contact
  • Blog
    • Popular Posts | Mamavation
    • Food | Mamavation
    • Beauty | Mamavation
    • Health | Mamavation
    • Environmental News
    • Product Investigations | Mamavation
    • Motherhood | Mamavation
    • Brand Essentials | Mamavation
    • DIY | Mamavation
    • Recipes | Mamavation
    • Activism | Mamavation
  • Book
  • Shop
    • Amazon Shop
    • Deals & Discounts
  • Investigations
    • Air Fryers
    • Air Purifiers
    • Cleaning Products
    • Coffee
    • Collagen & Gelatin
    • Crib Mattresses
    • Diapers
    • Laundry Detergents
    • Olive Oils
    • Organic Mattresses
    • Protein Powders
    • Shampoo & Conditioners
    • Water Filtration Systems
    • More Investigations
  • Membership
  • Join
    • Facebook Fan Page
    • Private Facebook Group
    • Instagram
  • Sign in

Scotch Magic Tape — Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals — Results from Lab

Mamavation » Blog » Science | Mamavation » Scotch Magic Tape — Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals — Results from Lab
Scotch Tape PFAS "forever chemical" results

March 24, 2023 //  by Leah Segedie

Facebook0
Twitter0
Google+0
LinkedIn0
Pinterest0

Does Scotch Magic Tape contain indications of PFAS “forever chemicals?” We sent this common tape product used every day by millions of Americans to an EPA-certified lab looking for organic fluorine, an indicator of PFAS “forever chemicals” to find out. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like safest cookware without PFAS “forever chemicals,” best air purifiers, & best yoga pants without PFAS in the crotch, now join us for the lab results of Scotch Magic Tape and testing for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals.”

Disclosure: This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. This post also contains affiliate links.

brunette young woman with tangled long hair looks desparate and unhappy with her hairstyle

Table of Contents

  • Health Effects Linked to Exposure to PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
  • Mamavation Finds Traces of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” In Other Adjacent Industries
  • Other Industries Using PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
  • Results of PFAS Organic Fluorine Marker Testing for Scotch Magic Tape
    • Results from our Laboratory on Scotch Magic Tape:

Health Effects Linked to Exposure to PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

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.

PFAS “forever chemicals” are problematic to human health and the environment. They are considered persistent, ubiquitous, and toxic, and therefore, it’s important you avoid them as much as you can to keep them from building up in our bodies. Many compounds can last for years in our bodies, therefore, it’s imperative to reduce the amount of PFAS you are exposed to from contaminated food and water.

Here’s a list of health effects PFAS chemicals are linked to presently according to our scientific advisor and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program, Linda Birnbaum:

  • reduction in immunity
  • reduced vaccination response
  • increased risk of allergies & asthma in young children
  • affect the growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
  • increase cholesterol levels
  • metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
  • cardiovascular disease
  • lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
  • lowers male fertility
  • increase the risk of kidney & testicular cancers
  • Causes endocrine disruption
  • Disrupts normal thyroid function

Best Peanut Butter & Other Nut Butters Sans Toxic PFAS Purchasing Guide 1

Mamavation Finds Traces of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” In Other Adjacent Industries

PFAS, otherwise known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (aka PFCs or perfluorinated chemicals, including PFOA and PFOS) are added to many products we purchase to make them “stain-resistant,” “grease-proof,” and “water-resistant.”

As we are writing this, Mamavation has finished 18 consumer studies looking for indications of PFAS inside everyday items and food we bring into our homes. In these studies, we have learned quite a bit about where PFAS chemicals hide in everyday products. Learn more about our other PFAS consumer studies here:

  • Nut Butters
  • Pasta & Tomato Sauce
  • Cooking Oils
  • Activewear
  • Sports Bras
  • Green Beauty Makeup
  • Period Underwear
  • Ketchup
  • Parchment Paper
  • Cupcake Liners
  • Plastic-Free Straws
  • Bamboo Flooring
  • Toilet Paper
  • Tampons
  • Sanitary Pads & Incontinence Pads
  • Dental Floss
  • Baby Strollers
  • Children’s Probiotics

compact powder and black brush isolated

Other Industries Using PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

PFAS chemicals have been used for decades to create stain resistance, water resistance, and grease-proof qualities in products to which they are added. If you’ve heard of coatings such as “Teflon” on cookware, fabrics made from “Gore-Tex” or treatments on carpets like STAINMASTER®, you’ve already heard about PFAS chemicals. Here’s more of what you may not have been aware of:

  • Textiles & Fabrics: PFAS chemicals are very commonly found in industries such as textiles & fabrics to create stain-resistance, water-resistance, or “sweat-wicking.” To help you here, Mamavation has tested athletic wear, sports bras, and period underwear. We’ve also conducted other consumer studies on bedding, children’s clothing, infant car seats,  jackets, & raincoats.
  • Food Packaging: In food packaging, they are used in popcorn bags, pizza boxes, fast food wrappers & canisters, and the flat dish on the bottom of cakes at the grocery store. Mamavation has also tested different parchment paper brands for indications of PFAS.
  • Personal Care Products: The beauty industry has been notoriously guilty of using PFAS to create a waterproof or long-lasting effect in makeup products. So Mamavation tested the most popular green beauty makeup brands, and we have also found some issues with period underwear, tampons, and sanitary pads. We also found quite a bit of detection in dental floss.
  • Toilet Paper: Mamavation found indications of PFAS in 24% of the toilet paper we sent to the lab. However, we also found plenty of ‘best” and “better” brands. Go take a look!
  • Cookware: Most “non-stick” cookware is coated with PFAS chemicals, including some stainless steel cookware, and small kitchen appliances like air fryers. Check out Mamavation’s investigation on cookware.
  • Carpeting & Flooring: PFAS has also been used in carpeting & flooring. Do you remember StainMaster™ carpet? That was PFAS. However, not all carpet has indications of PFAS. We recently tested one brand you can safely purchase. Mamavation also tested several bamboo flooring brands and found one brand that was free from PFAS.
  • Furniture: Watch out for “stain-resistant” treatments on furniture. We have not done any testing in this category yet.
  • Fire Fighting Foam: PFAS was used in firefighting foams and they have unfortunately been used extensively around military bases and airports. If you live close to a military base or airport, check with your local water district to see if they have tested the water for PFAS.
  • Metal Plating, Semiconductors, Lubrications, & Coating Additives: Lots of industrial applications of PFAS are used to keep equipment from rusting, getting overheated, or provide water-resistant, or grease-resistant qualities.
  • Drinking Water: Sadly, there are lots of places around the United States and all over the world that have drinking water contaminated with PFAS. Most of these areas are by military bases, airports, and other industrial parks that used PFAS for firefighting or other such uses. Luckily, Mamavation has done an investigation of the best water filters to remove PFAS.
  • Car Wax, Ski Wax, & Surfboard Wax: Yes, you guessed it. PFAS is used here for its grease & water-resistant qualities.
  • Some Processed Food: Mamavation has found indications of PFAS inside pasta & tomato sauces, nut butters, cooking oils, and ketchup. We are presently working on other food categories right now.

Scotch Tape PFAS "forever chemical" results

Results of PFAS Organic Fluorine Marker Testing for Scotch Magic Tape

Mamavation sent Scotch Magic Tape purchased on Amazon off to an EPA-certified lab looking for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals.” The specific lab method used by Mamavation tested for total fluorine by using the Determination of Total Fluorine by Oxygen Flask Combustion and Ion-Selective Electrode. If detectable total fluorine was observed at a detection level of 10ppm, the lab did the Determination of free Fluoride Ion in the tablet by Ion-Selective Electrode and then subtracted that from the Total Fluorine to determine the amount of organic fluorine.

Organic fluorine testing is marker testing. There are over 12,000 different PFAS chemicals in commerce and it’s impossible to identify all of them. In fact, it’s only possible to identify about 100 or so in a really good commercial lab. Therefore, we do marker testing instead looking for the element they all have in common–organic fluorine. What else could organic fluorine possibly contain other than PFAS? Nothing you want to touch. The other main possibilities are 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).

Results from our Laboratory on Scotch Magic Tape:

  • Scotch Magic Tape — non-detect organic fluorine

What does this mean? This means our lab did NOT detect trace amounts of organic fluorine within Scotch Magic Tape. However, it’s important to understand that our detection limit was 10 parts per million (ppm), so if PFAS is present below that limit, our lab would not detect it. We are reporting back with the lowest detection limit available for that type of testing. Organic fluorine is indicative of PFAS “forever chemicals,” therefore we believe this product is fine to purchase.

Recent Product Investigations

  • The Best Non Toxic Toasters & Toaster Ovens Of 2025 (A Guidebook)
  • Best (& Worst) Reusable Water Bottles — Stainless Steel & Glass
  • Toxic Phthalate & Fire Retardant Exposure to Children in Mattresses Study
  • Safest Non-Toxic Electric Kettles — Guide
  • Indications of Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Found in Toilet Paper — Report
Previous Post: «Post-It Notes PFAS "forever chemical" lab results Post-It Notes — Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” — Lab Results
Next Post: Best (& Worst) Sweetener Products Ranked (Sugar, Monk Fruit, Stevia, etc.) Morning coffee - a man's hand pours sugar into ground coffee in a yellow cup»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ray

    August 3, 2024 at 2:45 pm

    Any alternatives for Post-its? Teachers are requesting these for their school supply list for kids!

    Reply
  2. Ben

    May 24, 2024 at 3:39 pm

    It’s interesting to note that 3M’s surgical micropore tape, used by some for mouth taping, is probably contaminated. Based on this regulatory datasheet for their micropore tape, the best they can say about PFAS is that they’re “not intentionally added” (p. 3). https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=SSSSSu9n_zu8l00x4xt958tvPv70k17zHvu9lxtD7xt1evSSSSSS-

    Reply
  3. fnaf 2

    March 7, 2024 at 1:43 am

    That’s amazing. Thanks for sharing it

    Reply
  4. skibidi toilet

    September 18, 2023 at 12:46 am

    Thank you for your help. That’s what I am looking for.

    Reply
  5. DJ

    June 13, 2023 at 12:38 pm

    So annoying 3M! I have used Post It notes for years, so all them chemicals probably contributed to my infertility. I am now throwing a large box of them away and will not trust 3M again.

    Has anyone started a Class Action lawsuit yet?

    Reply
    • David

      May 1, 2024 at 7:52 pm

      3M will be sued by governments all over the world. I hope the men who redacted the scientific concerns spend the rest of their lives rotting in jail.

      Reply
    • Devyn

      May 10, 2024 at 8:37 am

      Is there an alternative? The store brand usually smell a lot stronger. My kids love using tape in their arts and crafts.

      Reply
    • Dk

      August 6, 2024 at 1:15 pm

      same here, have to wonder if all the years of use contributed to my infertility also.

      Reply
  6. Bing homepage quizzes

    May 8, 2023 at 4:59 am

    This post is the most-awaited and informative. I am reading your article very enjoying it.

    Reply
  7. cubes 2048

    April 17, 2023 at 12:02 am

    What an interesting article!

    Reply
  8. Debbie

    March 28, 2023 at 2:48 pm

    Darn! I love Post-It notes! Thank you for letting us know so we can make decisions on products that are safe. Glad the Scotch tape is likely okay!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Jump On Board!

Get advance access to product investigations & discounts on non-toxic brands!

Success! You have joined the Mamavation community! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Footer

Mamavation

  • About Leah Segedie
  • Press Page
  • Affiliate Policies
  • How To Work With Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Book
  • Courses
  • Influencer Network
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 MAMAVATION · All Rights Reserved. | Powered by Essential IT