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.
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.