Paper-Based Products: Toxins in Paper Towels, Tissues, Napkins, and Toilet Paper (And Wet/Baby Wipes!)
- Katie
- Feb 28
- 9 min read
Paper towels, tissues, napkins, and toilet paper all have a similar production process, so they also have similar toxins. These products are frequently used and often in contact with sensitive and absorbent parts of the body. Let's discuss what toxins might be present in these paper-based products and some safer solutions!
There are two kinds of main material used in paper towels, tissues, napkins, and toilet paper. Virgin paper is made from new wood, while recycled paper is made from existing paper (and toxins in it). For example, recycled paper can contain BPA from the coatings on the receipts used to make it. Virgin paper products are better because they avoid this BPA (and BPA substitutes like BPS). Thus, every product I recommend later on is virgin paper.
A study detected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in toilet paper. Health effects linked to PAHs include low birth weight, fetal harm, reduced IQ, skin allergies, endocrine disruption, reproductive harm, and cancer. The study found that virgin toilet paper had lower PAH levels, although PAHs were still present. All of the tested toilet papers contained benzo[a]pyrene, one of the most carcinogenic PAHs.
Phthalates, reproductive, endocrine-disrupting, carcinogenic, and developmental toxins used in plastic, have also been detected in toilet paper. Toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels can also contain BPA and BPS, other endocrine-disrupting additives in plastic.
These paper products are usually bleached. There are various methods for this. Bleaching with elemental chlorine uses chlorine gas and leaves behind carcinogenic dioxins. Chlorine dioxide is an improvement upon this, but it has still been linked to some issues. Additionally, semivolatile chlorinated organic compounds (SVCOCs) are carcinogens that may be produced during the bleaching process or used to preserve wood used for paper. These chemicals have been found in finished toilet paper products. Because of this, it's better to use unbleached paper-based products, or hydrogen peroxide-bleached products if unbleached is not available.
PFAS have been detected in toilet paper and tissues. This contamination could stem from the pulping process in the production of paper, intentional addition for water-resistant properties, or the PFAS in recycled paper fibers. PFAS are a group of widespread toxins linked to everything from cancer to cardiovascular issues. You can read more about them here.
Wet strength agents used in paper production, such as urea formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, and polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin binding agents, can remain in the final product. Formaldehyde (a carcinogen) from formaldehyde-containing binding agents can be released from regular usage of these products. Melamine formaldehyde has been associated with irritation and cancer.
Toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, and napkins can contain lotions composed of various ingredients. One example is mineral oil, which can contain PAHs. Softeners like quaternary ammonium compounds can also be used. These chemicals are linked to skin irritation, cell damage, infertility, reproductive cycle disruption, lower sperm concentration and motility, and fetal harm. Additionally, paper-based products can contain fragrance, an undisclosed mix of chemicals, some of which can disrupt hormones, harm the nervous system, increase the risk of cancer, and much more.
Toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, and tissues can also contain dyes. Some dyes, adhesives, and other components of paper products can release primary aromatic amines (PAAs). Many PAAs are linked to issues like cancer, DNA harm, and allergies, and they've been detected in colored napkins. Dyes themselves can also be harmful. You can read about that here!
There are a variety of other chemicals that can be found in toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, and tissues. Sensitizers like 2,6-Diisopropylnaphthalene, 1,1-di(4-methylphenyl)ethane, 1,2-bis(3-methylphenoxy)ethane, diphenyl sulfone, m-terphenyl, and benzyl 2-naphthyl ether were found in recycled toilet paper. Hydroxybiphenyl is an irritant one study found in toilet papers. The test also found 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, a potential carcinogen, in toilet paper. The irritant isopropyl myristate was found in tissues. The harmful, carcinogenic metals lead, chromium, and cadmium have also been found in these products. Read more about their health effects in my previous article!
When pesticides are used to grow the wood used in paper-based products, they can remain in the end product. Pesticides are linked to everything from Alzheimer’s to preterm birth, so it's best to avoid them by choosing organic, pesticide-free products. You can read more about pesticides here.
Wet wipes or baby wipes are usually not good substitutes for toilet paper. Wipes can be made of plastic or viscose (a kind of rayon). Plastic can release microplastics or harmful additives, so it's better to go with plastic-free, plant-based wipes. The wipes are also usually bleached, just like the other paper products. Wipes usually include fragrance, preservatives, and surfactants. These preservatives and fragrance can irritate the skin. For example, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate is a common preservative in wipes that can irritate the skin or trigger allergies, and parabens (also frequently used in wipes) can disrupt hormones and exert other effects. Essential oils, sometimes used instead of fragrance, can also lead to fertility problems, altered organ weights, and more. Sometimes, preservatives like sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are used in brands trying to be "safer." However, benzoate has been associated with altered nervous system function and can react with ascorbic acid to form the carcinogenic compound benzene, and both benzoate and sorbate can harm DNA. One study found that baby wipe use is associated with volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure. VOCs have been linked to a number of health issues, including skin and respiratory irritation, liver, kidney, and reproductive harm, and cancer. These VOCs can come from fragrances or residues from bleaching and cleaning. Some wipe ingredients can release formaldehyde. One study detected formaldehyde release from baby wipes from Pampers, Huggies, The Honest Company, and WaterWipes (popular "safe" or "hypoallergenic" brands). Many of these wipes didn't list any formaldehyde-releasing ingredients. Formaldehyde may be released from ingredients, reactions between ingredients or contaminants (like pesticides), or packaging. Because of these alternate exposure routes, ingredient lists cannot be relied upon to avoid formaldehyde.
You can make your own disposable wipes using paper towels, organic coconut oil, and a non-toxic soap. Some people also use the same method (or just water) with reusable GOTS-certified wipe cloths like these or these. Just make sure to wash them with hot water, preferably a "sanitize" cycle, to avoid germs. If you'd still like to buy disposable wipes, try the following. Nest Design's Organic Cotton Dry Baby Wipes are made of unbleached, GOTS-certified organic cotton. You just add water to use as a wet wipe. That is the only unbleached wipe option with no other harmful ingredients, so all of these other brands are bleached. Rael Organic Cotton Body Wipes are organic cotton with just water added. These are the only ones that are completely free from ingredients associated with negative health effects. However, there are some other options with less harmful ingredients. Pipette Baby Wipes are plant-based (they don't specify what kind or if it's organic) and include non-organic apple fruit extract (so pesticide contamination could occur) and potassium sorbate. Kudos Wet Wipes are made from wood (probably not organic, so they could contain pesticides), non-organic apple fruit extract, and potassium sorbate. Finally, Kinder By Nature Water-Based Baby Wipes are chlorine-free, but they use potassium sorbate.
As cutting down trees for paper towels, tissues, napkins, and toilet paper contributes to deforestation, bamboo is a better choice. Bamboo grows quickly, and the plant doesn't die when it's harvested, so it's more sustainable.
Starting with toilet paper, the first thing I thought I'd mention is that using a bidet can help reduce the amount of toilet paper or wipes you're using. Cloths or rags can also be used in place of paper towels. For paper towels and toilet paper, the best options are organic, unbleached, and PFAS-free. None of these options use dyes, pesticides, PFAS, plastic, formaldehyde, or fragrances. Rustic Strength toilet paper and paper towels are also unbleached, adhesive-free, heavy metal-free, dioxane (carcinogen)-free, and additive-free. This is one of the best choices! Eco Cheeks has unbleached, toxic adhesive-free toilet paper and paper towels. Eco Cheeks paper towels haven't specifically been tested for PFAS, but their toilet paper has, so the paper towels can probably be trusted. Betterway offers unbleached toilet paper and paper towels. PlantPaper's toilet paper is also unbleached, PCB (carcinogen)-free, free of some phthalates, and dioxane-free. Those are the preferred options because they're unbleached, but here are some additional brands that are bleached. Reel toilet paper and paper towels are elemental chlorine-free, but not unbleached. Seek Bamboo has unbleached or chlorine-free, additive-free, and adhesive-free toilet paper and paper towels. Lastly, Grove Co. toilet paper and paper towels are bleached, phthalate-free, and heavy metal-free. Their paper towels also haven't been tested for PFAS, but since their toilet paper is PFAS-free, their paper towels probably are too. There are lots of great options for alternative toilet paper and paper towels!
Moving on to tissues! Eco Cheeks offers unbleached, dye-free, plastic-free, formaldehyde-free, and fragrance-free organic tissues. These are also likely PFAS-free because their toilet paper is PFAS-free. PlantPaper has PFAS-free, unbleached, dye-free, formaldehyde-free, plastic-free, organic bamboo tissues. Their toilet paper is also PCB-free, free of some phthalates, and dioxane-free, so this is likely true for the tissues as well. Eco Cheeks and PlantPaper are the best choices, but here are some other brands that are still better than conventional tissues. Eco Soul has bleached, dye-free, plastic-free, PFAS-free bamboo tissues. And finally, Grove Co. tissues are bleached organic bamboo, formaldehyde-free, plastic-free, phthalate-free, dye-free, fragrance-free, and heavy metal-free. Since Grove Co.'s toilet paper is PFAS-free, their tissues are probably PFAS-free as well.
GOTS-certified organic cloth napkins are a good replacement for conventional napkins. Avoid any cloth napkins that claim to be stain- or water-resistant, because this may indicate the presence of PFAS. Disposable napkins have not been tested for PFAS. Grove Co., Eco Soul, and Public Goods all sell other products that have been tested (and were PFAS-free), so that increases the likelihood that their napkins would be PFAS-free as well. Grove Co. is the only organic and plastic-free one, and their napkins are also formaldehyde-free, phthalate-free, and heavy metal-free. Public Goods uses elemental chlorine-free bleaching, Grove Co.'s are bleached, and it's unclear whether Eco Soul's are bleached or not. Grove Co. and Public Goods are both dye-free and fragrance-free, and Eco Soul appears to be dye-free as well. Eco Soul's napkins are also compostable! Other than these, look for organic, undyed, non-recycled, and unbleached napkins with no extra additives. You can also try using Nest Design's dry wipes or paper towels as napkins.
Paper-based products like paper towels, tissues, napkins, and toilet paper can contain a variety of toxins, but there are some safer options, especially for toilet paper and paper towels. Using these can help minimize your toxin exposure!
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