Are you concerned about the gut health of you and your children? Because we live in such a toxic world, it’s important to take daily probiotics that are strong and effective to maintain balance. If you would like to try our favorite probiotic, Mamavation has a special giveaway for you! Mamavation has partnered with Seed to bring you a ONE-YEAR supply of probiotics — Seed DS-01® Daily Synbiotic and PDS-08™ Pediatric Daily Synbiotic — for you and one child worth $1,200. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like best collagen, best cooking oils without PFAS “forever chemicals,” and best nut butters without PFAS “forever chemicals,” now join us for our biggest probiotic giveaway of all time!

Disclosure: This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. This post is sponsored by Seed and contains affiliate links. 

Mamavation Partners With Seed to Giveaway $1,200 Worth of Superior Probiotic Gut Health for Mommy & Me

Mamavation is giving away a ONE-YEAR supply of DS-01® Daily Synbiotic for one adult and PDS-08™ Pediatric Daily Synbiotic for one child. That’s one full year for an adult, and one full year for a child. One lucky winner from the Continental United States will win on March 17th by entering our giveaway below. But we wouldn’t be Mamavation if we didn’t offer the safest and most effective pre-and-probiotic for both you and your child. Here are some additional benefits below that we know you’ll love about Seed:

• No detectable glyphosate (toxic herbicide)
• No detectable heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium, & mercury)
• No detectable pesticides or biocides (400+ chemicals tested)
• No indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” (according to independent testing via Mamavation)
• Clinical study on the actual formulation of specific strains of bacteria + prebiotic, showing safety and effectiveness
• Strong clinical studies backing individual and combinations of bacterial strains used demonstrating health benefits in gut health, gastrointestinal immunity, respiratory health, and dermatological health.
• For Adults: Comes in a capsule made from Indian pomegranate.
• For Children: Comes in packets with powder that is easily put in cereal or milk (instead of via supplement form)
• Gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, peanut-free, & vegan
• No synthetic chemical coatings
• No refrigeration needed

Seed DS-01® Daily Synbiotic for Adults

Take a look at our favorite probiotic–Seed DS-01® Daily Synbiotic is a synbiotic, combining 24 DNA-verified probiotic strains with a plant-based prebiotic, protected in a dual-staged capsule. It’s also biofermented in Europe and free of all 14 allergen classes as defined by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Seed’s DS-01® includes 24 DNA-verified strains that have been studied for the following health benefits:

• Digestive health benefits — supporting healthy regularity, ease of bloating, and ease of evacuation. These specific probiotic strains inside Seed are linked to these benefits: Bifidobacterium longum SD-BB536-JP, Bifidobacterium breve SD-BR3-IT, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SD-LP1-IT, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus SD-LR6-IT, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HRVD113-US, Bifidobacterium infantis SD-M63-JP, Bifidobacterium lactis SD-BS5-IT, Bifidobacterium lactis HRVD524-US, Lactobacillus crispatus SD-LCR01-IT, Lacticaseibacillus casei HRVD300-US, Bifidobacterium breve HRVD521-US, Bifidobacterium longum HRVD90b-US, Bifidobacterium lactis SD150-BE, Limosilactobacillus fermentum SD-LF8-IT, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus SD-GG-BE, & Limosilactobacillus reuteri RD830-FR.
• Cardiovascular health benefits — helps maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels and support healthy recycling of cholesterol and bile. These specific probiotic strains inside Seed are linked to these benefits: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SD-LPLDL-UK & Bifidobacterium lactis SD-MB2409-IT.
• Micronutrient synthesis benefits — supports folate production from within the body, which is great for pregnancy! These specific probiotic strains are linked to these benefits: Bifidobacterium adolescentis SD-BA5-IT & Lactobacillus rhamnosus SD-GG-BE.
• Dermatological benefits — supports healthy, clear skin by reinforcing the gut-skin axis. These specific probiotic strains inside Seed are linked to these benefits: Bifidobacterium lactis SD-CECT8145-SP, Bifidobacterium longum SD-CECT7347-SP, Lacticaseibacillus casei SD-CECT9104-SP, Ligilactobacillus salivarius SD-LS1-IT, & Bifidobacterium breve SD-BR3-IT.

Seed DS-01® Daily Synbiotic is also a plastic-free lover’s dream. Their packaging is compostable, and nothing they ship you will harm the environment, in fact, it all safely goes back into the Earth.

In case you don’t win, we would like to still offer you a discount to Seed to try!

DISCOUNT: 20% off the first month’s order of Seed Daily Synbiotic DS-01

Discover Seed’s DS-01® Daily Synbiotic here. If you would like to test them out, you can sign up for a monthly membership and delivery for $49.99 per month. (The first month is 20% off when you use discount code “MAMAVATION“.)

Click here to get 20% off your first month and use tell us how it goes!

Seed PDS-08™ Prebiotic + Probiotic for Kids

Mamavation is recommending Seed PDS-08™ Prebiotic + Probiotic for Kids. This bacterial + prebiotic combination has been shown in a clinical study to help children who experience low bowel movement frequency to increase the amount of bowel movements they have. In other words, this product may improve occasional constipation in children and is well tolerated with no adverse events reported in the clinical trials. 

Additionally, many studies on children have been done with the bacterial strains used inside Seed PDS-08™ Prebiotic + Probiotic for Kids linking them to the following health benefits for your child:

• Digestive & gastrointestinal immunity benefits — supports tummy ease and comfort, supports healthy, well-formed stools, supports healthy gut immune function, supports healthy gut integrity. These bacterial strains are responsible for this: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (formerly Lactobacillus rhamnosus), Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, Bifidobacterium breve BR03
• Respiratory health benefits — supports healthy respiratory tract function & supports respiratory tract health during winter months. These bacterial strains are responsible for this: Bifidobacterium breve B632 & Ligilactobacillus salivarius LS01
• Dermatological health benefits — supports healthy, clear skin, supports a gut-skin axis. These are the bacterial strains responsible for these benefits: Bifidobacterium lactis CECT8145, Bifidobacterium longum CECT7347, Lacticaseibacillus casei CECT9104

And finally, do these bacteria reach the gut? In studies with the Simulated Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem [SHIME®], Seed PDS-08™ Prebiotic + Probiotic for Kids had more than a 90% survival rate of bacteria all the way through the gut. In other words, the bacteria may indeed reach the gut alive to do what they’re intended to do.

In case you don’t win, we would like to still offer you a discount to Seed to try!

DISCOUNT: 20% off the first month’s order of Seed PDS-08™ Prebiotic +Probiotic for Kids

As a special promotion for Mamavation readers, Seed is offering 20% off your first order of PDS-08 Prebiotic + Probiotic for Kids when you click here and use discount code “mamavation” at checkout.

SeedLabs Work to Save The Honey Bees with the BioPatty™!

Did you know that SeedLabs is also working on probiotic products to save honey bees?

Honeybees are one of our most vital insect pollinators, responsible for nearly a third of our global food crops. Yet widespread pesticide use, along with climate change, disease, and habitat loss, have contributed to a stark reduction in honey bee populations over the past decade.

SeedLabs is working with Dr. Gregor Reid to create a cocktail of three probiotic strains: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp39, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GR-1, and Apilactobacillus kunkeei BR-1. This combo of very specific bacterial species has been shown to improve innate immune response, provide resistance against infection, and support insect resilience to toxic pesticides. It’s called the BioPatty™ and it’s the first delivery method for this probiotic formulation to save the bees.

Their Chief Scientist, Dr. Gregor Reid, came up with the hypothesis, “Probiotics aren’t just for humans. If you could use beneficial microbes to stimulate the immune response or attack the pathogens that are infecting the hives, then maybe we can help save the bees.”

In a 2019 study published in the ISME Journal, Dr. Daisley demonstrated the potential of the BioPatty™ in supporting honey bee colonies against American foulbrood. Hives that were administered the BioPatty™ showed a significantly lower pathogen load (in both adult bees and in larvae) than those without. The field trial observations were reproduced through laboratory-controlled experiments, indicating that this 3-strain probiotic could improve honey bee survival towards P. larvae infection, directly inhibit P. larvae cells in vitro, and modulate innate immunity when an infection was experimentally triggered.

SeedLabs Works to Save the Coral Reefs with Probiotics

Are you concerned with the health of coral reefs around the world? They are home to a bustling ecosystem of corals, sea sponges, crustaceans, mollusks, fish, sea turtles, and dolphins. It’s estimated they support nearly 25% of all marine life. However, they are in trouble! Changing environmental conditions—rising water temperatures, pollution, and ocean acidification—have greatly affected coral reefs worldwide.

Reefs also thrive with microscopic life—a collection of bacteria, algae, viruses, and single-celled protists that play a role in everything from providing energy to protecting against pathogenic invaders. Therefore, just as probiotics are studied to improve human health, probiotics are being explored as a solution to support and improve the health of coral reefs.

SeedLabs is working with Dr. Raquel Peixoto, an Associate Professor of Marine Science at KAUST, to understand the benefit of probiotic bacteria for the prevention of coral bleaching, enhancing coral calcification, and aiding in coral growth and resilience. Our collaboration also includes the development of innovative technologies for probiotic delivery to reef systems.

Field testing has begun in the Red Sea and additional collaborations are underway to expand testing to other sites. They are also doing metagenomic sequencing and delivery technology testing.

Seed & a Special Offer for Influencers

If you are a digital influencer, Mamavation would like to introduce you to Seed personally. Not only are they seeking additional affiliates, ambassadors, partners, microinfluencers, macroinfluencers, advocates & amplifiers, but they are also offering special education that will help you promote them and other brands without breaking the law. (Btw, it’s very easy to break laws accidentally when promoting supplement brands like probiotics.)

Seed offers special education through Seed University to help you stay compliant with all the confusing laws surrounding laws pertaining to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on how to promote supplement products

To apply to become a Seed partner, click here.

Details on How to Enter “Gut Health for Mommy & Me Giveaway” March 9th- March 16th

Mamavation is hosting a giveaway on Mamavation.com and on Instagram. You have the ability to enter both giveaways if you desire. Here on Mamavation.com, there will be 1 winner. On Instagram, there is 1 additional winner. The value of both giveaways is worth about $2,400 in prizes: (1) $1,200+ winners on Mamavation.com & (1) $1,200+ winner on Instagram. 

To enter this giveaway (on Mamavation.com) where we draw 1 winner, scroll down to the widget below where there are several ways you can enter and win. Entries will be accepted from March 9th to March 16th. You must be 21 years old or older to apply. Winners will be drawn at random and announced that same week. You must be living in the continental United States to win.

If you would like to enter the additional giveaway on Instagram, click here.

Here are the brands and products offered in this giveaway:

1. Seed DS-01® Daily Synbiotic (Adult probiotic — one-year supply)
2. Seed PDS-08™ Prebiotic + Probiotic for Kids (Child probiotic — one-year supply)

The post Gut Health for Mommy & Me Giveaway — Seed Synbiotics appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Do contact lenses contain indications of PFAS “forever chemicals?” This was the question posed to us by members of Mamavation on Facebook. We didn’t know the answer to this, so we sent 18 different soft contact lenses off to an EPA-certified lab to have them tested for indications of PFAS. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you other consumer studies like indications of PFAS in dental floss, yoga pants, and sanitary pads, now join us for a consumer study on indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside eye contact lenses.

What our lab found was a bit concerning because 100% of the popular contact lens products we sent came back with various levels of organic fluorine, a marker for PFAS. So which contact lenses do we recommend? Based on the levels reported from our lab, we are sharing this data with you in hopes you will share it with your eye care professional. This information can help you and your eye care doctor make educated decisions about your eye care.

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Scientific reviews were performed by (1) Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, (2) Linda S. Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar at Residence at Duke University, North Carolina University, & Yale University, (3) Pete Myers, Chief Scientist at Environmental Health Sciences, Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University, and Co-Author of Our Stolen Future, & (4) Scott Belcher, Associate Professor with the Center for Environmental & Health Effects of PFAS at North Carolina State University. This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. This post contains affiliate links. 

Mamavation’s Lab Finds Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Inside 100% of Eye Contacts Tested

Contact lenses are medical devices that correct refractive vision errors like as nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). Community members asked us whether there were any indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside contact lenses, so we sent the most popular pairs off to our EPA-certified lab to find out.

PFAS “forever chemicals” are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances used for many decades as stain-resistant, oil-resistant, & water-resistant chemicals in commerce. These chemicals reside in many places in our lives and are linked to serious health effects. PFAS chemicals were used for decades inside consumer products, as manufacturing aides, and inside building materials. Because they are so toxic, Mamavation has commissioned our own consumer studies on indications of PFAS in order to make consumer recommendations for which eye contacts are the least problematic.

For this consumer study, Mamavation sent 18 different types of soft eye contact lenses from three major brands off to an EPA-certified laboratory and discovered 100% of those products had indications of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals.” 

Here’s what our EPA-certified laboratory found:

• 100% of contact lenses sent to our EPA-certified laboratory had indications of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals.” 18 soft eye contact lens products were found to have detections of organic fluorine, a marker for PFAS.
• Ranges of organic fluorine reported by the lab were from 105 to 20,700 parts per million (ppm). 
• The most popular brands of eye contacts — Acuvue, Alcon, & Coopervision — were all found to have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” at different levels.
• 22% of contact lenses tested had over 18,000 parts per million (ppm) of organic fluorine. That’s 4 out of 18 products.
• 44% of contact lenses tested had over 4,000 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine. That’s 8 out of 18 products.

Linda S. Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar at Residence at Duke University, North Carolina University, & Yale University had this to say: “Your eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of your body. Therefore, it’s concerning to see the presence of organic fluorine, which is likely a type of PFAS, found in all soft contact lens products tested. What about the idea of doing no harm? Do we have proof these products are safe? A lack of safety studies does not qualify as ‘safety,’ which is what is happening here.”

Health Effects Linked to PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

PFAS “forever chemicals” are problematic to human health and the environment. They are considered ubiquitous, persistent, and toxic. Many of these chemicals can last for years or decades in our bodies. Therefore, it’s imperative to reduce the amount of PFAS you are exposed to from food, water, and personal care products such as eye contacts. 

Below are listed health impacts from exposure to PFAS in general:

• Reduction in immunity
• Reduced vaccination response
• Increased risk of allergies & asthma in young children
• Affected growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
• Increase cholesterol levels
• Metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Lowered a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
• Lowered male fertility
• Increased risk of kidney & testicular cancers
• Causes endocrine disruption
• Disrupted normal thyroid function

We may not be able to tell you if or how much PFAS will leach into the body from exposure to the eyeball, but we do know that PFAS exposure is possible based on some studies looking at dermal exposure in animals. It’s also very clear based on biomonitoring evidence from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that PFAS are in essentially all Americans.

According to Pete Myers, chief scientist for Environmental Health Sciences, “The presumption that these organic fluorine levels measured in contact lenses are safe is laughable. Last summer the EPA issued health advisories in drinking for four common PFAS, ranging from 0.004 parts per trillion (ppt) to 2000 ppt. EPA considers exposure beneath these thresholds to be safe for drinking water.  While comparing drinking levels in water to concentrations in contact lenses is like comparing apples to oranges, it’s worth noting that all of the contact lenses tested exceeded 100 ppm, which is equivalent to 100,000,000 ppt, or 50,000 times higher than the highest level deemed safe in drinking water by the EPA.” 

Can Exposure to PFAS Through the Eyeball Be Problematic?

In order to get contact lenses, you need a contact lens prescription from an ophthalmologist or an optometrist, so this isn’t something you can purchase easily. An eye care professional will give you an eye exam that evaluates your eye health and the quality of your vision. After this is done, they may recommend eyeglasses or a type of contact lens. The types of contact lenses they recommend can be soft lenses, permeable lenses, decorative contact lenses, multifocal contacts, toric lenses, daily contacts, extended-wear contacts, etc. If you decide to go the route of having contact lenses, you’ll also get a contact lens exam to ensure you can wear them effectively. Then you must make sure you are practicing good hygiene in order to avoid eye infections such as washing your hands, taking them out before you sleep, and never reusing eye contact solution.

The eye is one of the most sensitive areas of the human body, so it’s concerning to think that contact lenses are one of the many exposures to PFAS that are found inside consumer products in the United States. Based on our laboratory findings, the type and brand of contact lenses you select with your eye care doctor may have an impact on your health.

According to researchers in China, people who had higher levels of PFAS in their blood were more likely to have ocular eye diseases. But what happens when you are exposed to high levels of PFAS from contact lenses? Does the PFAS break down within the eye? We are not sure and couldn’t find studies looking into this situation, but it’s common sense to operate the precautionary principle when selecting the right contact lens with your eye care professional. However, we did find plenty of instances of PFAS exposure in drinking water being linked to eye diseases.

Members of the military and their spouses who were exposed to PFAS on military bases had some of the following conditions according to plaintiff attorneys:

• Myopia: A vision defect when far objects appear blurred and objects that are nearer are seen more clearly. In this instance, the eyeball is too long or the refractive power of the lens is too strong. This is also referred to as nearsightedness.
• Hyperopia: Hyperopia occurs when people have difficulty seeing things close to them, but can see objects far away easier. This is also referred to as “farsightedness.”  This occurs because the eyeball is too short or the refractive power inside the lens is weak.
• Astigmatism: This vision defect is apparent when you are looking at a pattern of lines and the lines running in one direction look sharp while those in other directions appear blurred. This eye defect happens when light rays do not meet at a certain focal point on the retina. This is caused by non-uniform curvature of the cornea.
• Presbyopia: Usually this vision defect happens with old age and it’s defined as the gradual loss of focus on nearby objects over time. However, this process can be sped up with exposure to certain chemicals like PFAS.

Can Throwing Away Toxic Contact Lenses Be Problematic to the Environment?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 45 million Americans wear contact lenses. As of 2018, 35% to 46% of all patients wear daily disposable contact lenses and 2/3rds of those contact wearers are female. Of those wearers, 90% are using soft and disposable contact lenses.

It’s estimated on an annual basis, 2.5 billion contact lenses weighing approximately 44,000 pounds are thrown out and enter wastewater treatment plants in the United States because 15-20% of contact wearers throw their contact lenses into the toilet or sink. This ends up creating somewhat of a nightmare for wastewater treatment plants because, for every two pounds of sludge, they find a contact lens. Contact lenses are also very hard to see because they are clear and small. Ultimately anywhere from 6 to 10 metric tons of plastic lenses end up in wastewater in the U.S. every year.

Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University added some insight.

“Fluoropolymers improve the technical performance of contact lenses at attractive price performances and customers are naturally attracted. But the other key performances for safe and sustainable chemical products, the health, environmental and fairness performances, are not given adequate attention by manufacturers, legislators, or regulators. If you use fluoropolymer-containing contact lenses, you are likely to become permanently contaminated. No one today can tell you that fluoropolymer exposures are safe, because no jurisdiction has been demanding the development and scrutiny of appropriate safety testing. Your body cannot process fluoropolymers to safe products to protect you and nature is just as helpless when you throw the lenses away. But we know enough about PFAS chemicals to guess and fear that fluoropolymers in human cells or in the environment are anything but a pretty safety picture. I advise that such contact lenses be rigorously avoided.”

How Does PFAS Get Into Contact Lenses?

According to the American Chemical Society, contact lenses are typically made with a combination of poly(methylmethacrylate), silicones, and fluoropolymers (which are usually PFAS) to create a softer material. These materials allow oxygen to pass through the lens to the eye.

Based on the levels of organic fluorine we found in contact lenses, between 105 to 20,700 parts per million (ppm), we can assume fluoropolymers are used in different ways and in different amounts based on the function of the contact lens. This means that contact lens companies are adding these chemicals because they provide a special function, such as enhancing oxygen permeability to an extent greater than water alone.

Reporting from our lab indicated that the brand Alcon had the highest level of organic fluorine found. These products with a higher detection ranged from 18,400 ppm to 20,700 ppm.

Researchers who have studied “safety” claims on fluoropolymers and their use have concluded, “Given fluoropolymers’ extreme persistence; emissions associated with their production, use, and disposal; and a high likelihood for human exposure to PFAS, their production and uses should be curtailed except in cases of essential uses.” Are contact lenses an “essential use?” More to the point, are the uses of fluoropolymers in contact lenses essential to the proper functioning of the lenses? It would be very helpful if contact lens designers were to provide information about how the addition of fluoropolymers to contact lenses enhances their performance. Are they essential? Are there replacement chemistries? This should become a high-priority discussion among optometrists. Ask yours.

Other Categories of Products We’ve Tested for Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

Before we launch into the raw data from our lab, we wanted to remind you about all the other studies we have done on indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside the food and consumer products you bring inside your home.

• Pasta & Tomato Sauces
• Nut Butters (Peanut butter, etc.)
• Cooking Oils (olive oil, almond oil, canola oil, etc)
• Ketchup
• Activewear (Yoga Pants)
• Sports Bras
• Green Beauty Makeup
• Dental Floss
• Toilet Paper
• Period Underwear
• Tampons
• Sanitary Pads, Pantiliners, & Incontinence Pads
• Parchment Paper
• Cupcake Liners
• Plastic-Free Straws
• Children’s Probiotics
• Bamboo Flooring
• Baby Strollers

Mamavation’s Raw Data on Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Contact Lenses

To recap, Mamavation sent 18 soft contact lenses from 3 major brands to an EPA-certified laboratory looking for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals.” In order for our lab to do this, they have to perform special testing. They do not look for PFAS compounds directly, because that’s simply impossible. There are over 12,000 PFAS compounds and assays available for less than 100 compounds exist in a really good commercial lab.

Testing: Mamavation’s lab uses marker testing to identify the potential presence of PFAS “forever chemicals” in contact lenses. Organic fluorine is a marker for PFAS because all PFAS chemicals are carbon-based compounds that contain fluorine. The specific lab method used by Mamavation tested for total fluorine was the Determination of Total Fluorine by Oxygen Flask Combustion and Ion-Selective Electrode. If total fluorine was observed at a detection level of 10 ppm, the lab did the Determination of free Fluoride Ion in the product by Ion-Selective Electrode and then subtracted that from the Total Fluorine to determine the amount of organic fluorine. This type of marker screening test is likely to show the presence of PFAS. Along with PFAS, other organic fluorine can also capture other fluorochemicals, non-PFAS fluorine-containing pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. None of which you want around your eyes!

Scott Belcher, Ph.D. & Associate Professor with the Center for Environmental & Health Effects of PFAS at North Carolina State University says “fluoropolymers are extremely common forms of PFAS that are contributing to the organic fluorine found in contact lenses. Methods used for detecting individual PFAS, such as PFOA or GenX, cannot directly identify fluoropolymers. However, the analysis of total organic fluorine does account for all PFAS contaminants in contact lenses, including the copolymers approved for use in contact lenses. Therefore, this method of testing serves as a good ‘spot-check’ for fluoropolymers and a screen for PFAS in consumer products.”

What We Tested: We tested close to every brand that was recommended by the Mamavation community, which were also considered some of the most popular products. In total, we tested 18 contact lenses. These contact lenses were donated to us by someone working inside an ophthalmologist’s office in the fall of 2022. The packages were not opened and sent directly to the lab to be analyzed.

Not Our Favorite Eye Contact Lenses

These products were sent to an EPA-certified lab and found to have 1,000 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine or more.

• Acuvue Oasys with HydraLuxe 1-Day — 6,096 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Acuvue Vita Astigmatism Senofilcon C Brand Contact Lenses — 5,537 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Alcon Air OPTIX (No Hydraglide) Soft Contact Lenses for Astigmatism — 20,000 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Alcon AIR OPTIX Colors Contact Lenses with Smartshield Technology — 20,700 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Alcon Dailies Colors One-Day Contact Lenses — 18,400 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Alcon Total 30 Contact Lenses for Daily Wear — 20,400 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Coopervision Biofinity Toric Contact Lenses — 4,751 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Coopervision Comfilcon A Multifocal Tinted Soft Contact Lenses — 5,613 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine

Better Eye Contact Lenses

These contacts were sent to an EPA-certified lab and found to have between 200 parts per million (ppm) and 1000 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine.

• Alcon Dailies TOTAL 1 One-Day Contact Lenses Water Gradient — 625 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Alcon MULTIFOCAL Dailies AquaComfort Plus One-Day Contact Lenses — 346 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Alcon Precision 1 One-Day Contact Lenses with SmartSurface Technology — 302 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Alcon TORIC Dailies AquaComfort Plus One-Day Contact Lenses — 914 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine

Best Eye Contact Lenses

These contacts were sent to an EPA-certified lab and found to have less than 200 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine. Unfortunately, there were no products that were non-detect.

• Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus Brand Contact Lenses with UV Blocking — 113 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus for Astigmatism — 105 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Alcon AIR OPTIX plus HydraGlyde with Smartshield Technology — 119 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Alcon Dailies MULTIFOCAL TOTAL 1 One-Day Contact Lenses Water Gradient — 183 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Alcon Dailies TOTAL 1 One-Day Contact Lenses Water Gradient for Astigmatism — 106 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine
• Alon Air OPTIX plus HydraGlyde for Astigmatism — 173 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine

Additional Mamavation Investigations To Help Your Family

Mamavation works hard to bring our readers relevant public health information to assist in choosing more non-toxic products. Over the years, we have ranked tens of thousands of consumer products and food that are brought into the home. Here are some of the investigations that we thought you may also be interested in:

• Best Yoga mats 
• Best Infrared Saunas
• Best Organic Mattresses
• Best Air purifiers
• Best Cookware
• Best Plant-Based Milks
• Best Water Filters for PFAS Filtration
• Best Collagen
• Best Electrolyte Replacement Drinks, Sports Drinks, & Coconut Water
• Best Infrared Saunas
• Best Bubble Bath

Click here for a complete list of product investigations.

The post Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Contact Lenses — Report appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Did you just find out that the organic latex mattress you are sleeping on is, in fact, made with synthetic chemicals because of a lawsuit against Avocado Mattress? Latex foam mattresses are “non-toxic” alternatives to memory foam made from natural latex sourced from rubber trees. However, it’s impossible to make a completely natural latex mattress regardless of what you read in advertising. In order to go from rubber trees to latex mattresses, some synthetic chemicals must be added. But If you have an organic mattress with latex, don’t throw it out! It’s still much better than the conventional ones. So what are the differences and which brands are selling the best “low-tox” alternatives? You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like best (& possibly worst) organic mattresses, safest “breathable” crib mattresses, & safest bedding without PFAS, now join us for the details behind the Avocado Mattress lawsuit, how this impacts the industry, and the best (& possibly worst) latex mattresses out there.

Disclosure: This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. This post also contains affiliate links. Mamavation did our best to verify certifications on the GOLS & GOTS database. Please reach out to us if we missed your certification. 

Avocado Mattress Sued for “Fraud, Deceit, and/or Misrepresentation”

On April 28th, 2023, Avocado Mattress LLC was sued in the Superior Court of San Francisco “for fraud, deceit, and/or misrepresentation; violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act; false advertising; negligent representation; unfair, unlawful, and deceptive trade practices; unjust enrichment; and breach of contract” by Plaintiffs Richard Roberts and Akeem Pina. Plaintiffs accuse Avocado of deliberately selling products that are not as “natural”, “eco,” “organic”, “and/or “green” as advertised. Proof submitted to the court included an analysis and chemical composition of Avocado latex foam from an EPA-certified lab.

The toxic chemicals found inside the Avocado latex mattress according to the lawsuit were as follows:

• Wingstay-L — contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive harm. It contains substances listed with the State of California as hazardous waste, and it is “not readily biodegradable.”
• Pentyl Furan — also known as “amylfuran,” is acutely toxic and causes eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Is is also flammable.”
• Zinc diethyldithiocarbamate, or “ZDEC” — a possible accelerator used in the rubber manufacturing process, is irritating to the eyes, respiratory system, and skin. Furthermore, it is toxic to aquatic organisms, and it may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. Additionally, ZDEC may term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. Additionally, ZDEC may form carcinogenic substances during the vulcanization process.
• 2,2′-dibenzothiazyl disulfide, or “MBTS” — a possible accelerator used in the rubber manufacturing process, may cause skin sensitization following repeated contact and its dust may cause respiratory irritation, including the symptoms of bronchitis. Like ZDEC, it is toxic to aquatic organisms, and it may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. It is “not readily biodegradable.”
• 1,3-diphenylguanidine, or “DPG” — a possible accelerator used in the rubber manufacturing process, is associated with damaging human fertility and unborn children. It is a health hazard and can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and the respiratory system. It is also toxic to aquatic life, with long-lasting effects.
• Hydrocarbon oil — rubber processing oil made from petroleum, is a naphthenic-type oil associated with eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. It is also flammable.

According to the lawsuit, Avocado cannot claim ignorance for these false misstatements because they own their entire production chain from start to finish. In other words, they are making the latex foam at their factory, so they are well aware of the chemicals used to produce them. Most other mattress brands selling “non-toxic” mattresses rely on other manufacturers to produce the latex foam and pour them into molds. But not Avocado, the company celebrates being in control from start to finish of their supply chain.

Because Avocado is part of a much larger company that also produces other types of latex mattresses and conventional polyurethane foam mattresses, Mamavation never recommended them in our own mattress investigation. Owning your own production chain is great for transparency, provided you are being honest about the materials and practices to the consumers. It’s not great when companies who own their own production chains use different materials than what they stated in their marketing. This exact situation is what the lawsuit is tethered on. Our instinct of saving the “best” realm for companies that made organic mattresses their value as a company instead of “organic” being just another category was right on the money when you read the lawsuit.

Industry experts interviewed for this investigation said the chemicals found in this lab report are also very common in the production of polyurethane foam. Mamavation is now wondering if these are the same chemicals they are using for their polyurethane foam mattresses produced by the other half of the company.

Dirty Secrets Behind the Production of “Non-Toxic” Latex Mattresses

So what is a latex mattress and what are the dirty secrets? All organic latex beds are a non-toxic alternative to memory foam made from natural latex sourced from rubber trees. Organic latex has great temperature regulation, good support & pressure relief for back and shoulder pain with a medium-firm feel or a soft feel, and good bounciness. They are also denser and heavier, making them more stable for heavy sleepers. Latex mattresses have no coils, so the bounce feels different. But beyond the marketing, there are some issues with latex we want to tell you about.

The difference between a conventional latex mattress and a “non-toxic’ latex mattress is not necessarily about the types of toxic chemicals involved, but more about the percentages of synthetic toxic chemicals. In other words, all latex mattresses contain synthetic chemicals to go from a natural rubber tree to a foam. There is no other way to create a latex product without going through the vulcanization process. So when you are purchasing a latex mattress, it’s not a “non-toxic” product, it’s more of a “low-tox” product.

The Vulcanization Process for Latex Foam Includes Synthetic Chemicals

The vulcanization process is what takes latex from a rubber tree to a heated mold. Here’s how that happens:

1. Natural rubber is combined with synthetic chemicals
2. The mixture results in a compound whipped into a foamy mixture
3. The foamy mixture is then poured into a heated mold

However, you would never know that synthetic chemicals are used in Avocado latex mattresses because the marketing on their own website is very flowery. Their own description of their product makes no mention of the synthetic chemicals needed to create that latex foam.

“Most mattresses are full of junk — plastic foams, toxic glues, harmful VOCs, and chemical flame retardants. Not ours. We use natural, non-toxic materials. We even harvest our latex and our wool from our own sustainable farms. This ensures the highest purity and quality. These materials, including our cotton, are all organic and non-toxic. And we can prove it. Our Latex Mattress is GREENGUARD Gold, GOTS organic, and Formaldehyde-Free certified. Our cotton and wool are GOTS Organic Certified and USDA Organic. And our latex is GOLS Organic, eco-INSTITUT®, USDA Organic, Rainforest Alliance, and FSC® certified.”

So if you now find yourself scratching your head, don’t worry. Most people were. Mamavation hadn’t (until today) done a deep dig on the production of latex mattresses, so we weren’t even aware of all this until the Avocado mattress lawsuit was available.

Since then, we have learned quite a bit and have interviewed industry professionals to clue us into these details. Rest assured, we are confident we can help you find a more natural latex mattress from a company that does its best to minimize the chemicals that were found in an Avocado mattress. 

Mattress Certifications Don’t Cover Everything

When you hear terms like “natural,” “organic,” and “sustainable,” remember these are unregulated terms. The mattress industry is like the wild wild West in terms of using marketing claims. Just because you hear the word “organic” doesn’t mean that you won’t find fire retardants, toxic adhesives, or polyurethane foam. Some brands may use polyurethane foam and toxic adhesives with organic cotton on top. So things can get confusing.

Certifications are relied on for general guidance to the consumer. Are they foolproof? Absolutely not. The certifying agencies must rely on brands to submit proper verification on their materials and processing agents. But it’s important to understand that they are not actually there as the latex is being poured into the molds at the factory to verify. They are representing these things are true. So if more toxic materials get into the product outside the plans (i.e. the planned materials & ingredients) there’s no way for them to know.

Some certifications are very fuzzy about the limitations of specific chemicals. Relying on basic sweeping claims like “non-toxic” or “certified organic latex” or ” safe and healthy” doesn’t really have any meaning. So which chemicals are banned vs. restricted is quite confusing. Consumers may assume certain restrictions are actually bans. Whereas, there are several instances where a very small quantity of a specific chemical is allowed because it’s less than 100 parts per million (ppm). This would not be considered a ban, but more of a restriction. But it may not be something that is mentioned specifically. Therefore, there is no way of knowing or checking other than to have products tested and verified at a lab.

Standards & Certifications for Latex Mattresses

Even though latex mattresses were created to avoid the toxic problems around polyurethane foam, not all latex mattresses are made equal. There are four basic concepts that set regular latex mattresses apart from real organic latex mattresses:

1. The percentage of synthetic chemicals used to create the latex foam are under 5% of the total 
2. Certain chemicals are restricted and not allowed above 100 ppm, however, they CAN be present in trace amounts 
3. It’s best to have several certifications, especially ones that mandate testing of toxic synthetic chemicals in addition to GOLS
4. Bonus points for companies that are consistent in their values of producing non-toxic mattresses, i.e. they don’t have “toxic” sister companies

Some industry experts were unsure whether the chemicals present in the Avocado lawsuit were under the 5% ratio for certain certifications. So we are also unsure if they were breaking any of the standards of other certifications like GOLS or GOTS.

Certifications of Latex That Requires Testing (or Site Visits)

• GOTS Organic: The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification is the gold standard of the organic mattress industry and they mandate site visits by certifiers. They certify mattresses, but they also separately certify individual materials like cotton fabric made by a cotton fabric company. It mandates that the cotton or wool contents used are USDA certified. They also determine how products are processed and manufactured and what chemicals like chemical adhesives can be used during that process. And finally, they also determine what other types of materials can be used with the product that is not organic like steel coils & zippers. This certification restricts fire retardants, but not all of them. (CONFUSING PART: Not all companies that claim to have GOTS certification are actually producing a GOTS-certified mattress. You will find lots of companies that use the GOTS symbol who purchased GOTS-certified materials from another company. This matters because you have no idea what is inside that mattress unless the entire thing is certified by GOTS.) Some chemicals found in the laboratory reports brought by Akeem Pina vs. Avocado Mattress LLC would have been flagged by the GOTS standard. However, we are unsure if the levels would have been a problem. 
• GOLS Certification with Dunlop latex: Dunlop is the original manufacturing process for latex foams developed back in 1929 and it hasn’t changed much since then. GOLS certification has created a standard of no more than 5% of the mattress can contain these types of toxic and/or synthetic chemicals. Most of the 5% is zinc oxide and sulfur and then trace amounts of toxic chemicals. This certification requires testing and inspections. Avocado advertises its latex as “natural 100% GOLS organic certified Dunlop latex — sourced from our own farms in India.” The Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certification is a standard for organic latex and finished latex foam. The product has to maintain a minimum of 95% certified organic raw material of the total weight. In other words, they allow 5% of the mattress to contain things that are completely synthetic. The chemicals found in the laboratory reports brought by Akeem Pina vs. Avocado Mattress LLC would NOT have been flagged by the GOLS standard. Yes, they are allowable.
• The OEKO-TEX standard 100: The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is a European certification that verifies textiles are free from certain harmful substances like allergenic dyes, bisphenols, heavy metals, & formaldehyde. The highest ranking is Class 1. The OEKO-TEX Standard goes a bit further in terms of mattress testing. Look for manufacturers that source latex that is OEKO-TEX Class 1 certified. The best part about this certification is its testing. This certification requires testing and would have prevented Avocado from using at least 2 of those chemicals. 
• GREENGUARD Gold UL: GREENGUARD was acquired by Underwriter Laboratories (UL) and has changed the parameters of their standard. They no longer carry the lowest emission “Select” category and have introduced a more watered-down “Gold” category instead. GREENGUARD is an air quality environmental testing company. They are looking into the off-gassing of specific contaminants. But today they are no longer considering flame retardants, PFAS chemicals, phthalates, and microbes. This standard does test for about 350 common VOCs. We just wish they went further to get some of the worst offenders. Green Guard will certify the entire mattress or any of the components instead. The chemicals found in the laboratory reports brought by Akeem Pina vs. Avocado Mattress LLC would not have been flagged by GreenGuard UL. Yes, they are allowable.

Certifications of Latex That Do Not Require Testing

• FSC Certified Latex: Forest Stewardship Council®, is a global, not–for–profit organization that is dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management worldwide. This certification helps you understand where your rubber is coming from, however, it’s not really getting into the business of inspecting the final product. They only really care about the source. It does, however, prevent you from any genetic modification. The Talalay process of producing latex is used to produce a softer, fluffier latex with a more homogenous consistency. This foam is softer and less dense, which makes it perfect for different layers within the mattress.
• Made Safe:MADE SAFE certifies that products are not made with cancer-causing and hormone-disrupting chemicals. Made Safe verifies the materials in mattress products have been scrutinized by scientists and experts to ensure they do not contain harmful ingredients, off-gas dangerous vapors, or create byproducts that could impact human health. According to the lawsuit, Made Safe does not allow for the toxic chemicals found in Avocado Latex (like Pentyl Furan and Wingstay) to be present in products certified by them, therefore, it’s safe to assume that they were not aware of this. Made Safe has at least 2 out of 6 chemicals on this list to flag — Pentyl Furan & Wingstay. Made Safe missed two chemicals that were produced by Avocado Mattress LLC. We did not interview Made Safe to discover how this happened.

How to Avoid This Toxic Avocado Situation When Purchasing Latex Mattresses?

There are three parts to avoiding the Avocado mattress mess. Part of this is to look for specific certifications and the other part is an overarching common sense type of rule. Here’s what we suggest to avoid most of the chemicals within the Avocado mattress:

• GOTS Certification: Ensures the entire mattress is “non-toxic” in general and mandates site visits
• GOLS Certification: Mandates that synthetic chemicals used to manufacture the latex are at a minimum of 5% of the total
• Leadership: Good reputation & central corporate value of producing “non-toxic” products across the entire company

The last part of this recommendation is to avoid companies that are also producing other brands (& products) that have memory foam or polyurethane foam. This last rule would have protected you from the chemicals within the Avocado latex mattress lawsuit. It’s based on the idea that there is a temptation within the company to use materials for both sets of products — both organic & conventional.  This is how we split the “better” from the “best” brands in this investigation.

Mamavation’s Investigation of Safest Non-Toxic Latex Mattresses

Not Our Favorite Latex Mattresses

This category represents products that we cannot verify have less than 5% synthetic chemicals in their vulcanization phase of latex manufacturing.

• Amazon Basics Cooling Gel Infused Mattress
• Amore Beds 2 Sided Natural Mattress
• Amore Beds Latex Hybrid Mattress
• Avenco Mattress Latex Hybrid
• Awara Mattress Natural Hybrid Mattress
• Awara Mattress Premier Natural Mattress
• Birch Natural Mattress
• Birch Natural Luxe Mattress
• Brooklin Bedding EcoSleep Mattress
• Dreamfoam Latex Mattress
• GhostBed Original Mattress
• Helix Latex Mattress
• LUCID Latex Hybrid Mattress
• Luma Sleep 100% Naural Latex Mattress
• Luma Sleep Two Layer Natural Latex Hybrid Mattress
• Luma Sleep Original Mattress
• Nest Bedding Finch Natural Latex Mattress
• Nest Bedding The Owl Natural Latex Hybrid Mattress
• Nest Bedding Lark Kids Mattress
• Nolah Mattress Latex Hybrid Mattress
• Saatva Zenhaven Latex Mattress
• Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress
• Saatva HD Mattress
• Sunrising Bedding Latex Hybrid Gel Memory Foam Mattress
• Wink Beds EcoCloud Hybrid Mattress

Better Latex Mattresses

This category is much better, but still has some issues. These products have GOLS certifications, but may not have GOTS certifications, or other useful certifications that require testing. Another confusing part is the GOTS certification. They may or may not have GOTS certification for the entire mattress, and may only have GOTS certification for components of the mattress only from another manufacturer. Finally, this is also a place with products that have all the certifications needed, but we have some concerns with leadership. This category also represents products that may have a parent company or sister company that produces regular polyurethane foam mattresses and use types of fire retardant chemicals or other questionable chemicals, possibly within the same manufacturing facility. This is problematic because it is more likely that the raw material streams could get crossed or mixed up.

• Avocado Green Mattress Organic Mattress
• Avocado Green Mattress Eco Organic Mattress
• Avocado Green Mattress Luxury Organic Mattress
• Avocado Green Mattress Organic Vegan Mattress
• Avocado Green Mattress Organic Latex Mattress
• Brentwood Home Hybrid Latex Mattress
• EcoTerra Beds Hybrid Latex Mattress
• Essentia Classic REM 5 Organic Mattress
• Foam Order Latex Mattress
• Holy Lamb Organics Natural Latex Mattress
• Latex For Less Natural 2-Sided Mattress
• Latex for Less Organic Latex Mattress
• Latex for Less Hybrid Latex Mattress
• Plush Beds Organix Latex Mattress
• Plush Beds Vegan Mattress
• Plush Beds Eco Bliss Hybrid Mattress
• Plush Beds Cooling Gel Mattress
• Savvy Rest Serenity Mattress
• Savvy Rest Tranquility Mattress
• Silk and Snow Organic Mattress
• Sleep on Latex Pure Green Organic Latex Mattress
• SleepEZ Latex Mattress
• SleepEZ Latex Mattress- Hybrid
• SleepEZ Latex Mattress- Roma
• Spindle Latex Mattress
• Turmerry Natural and Organic Latex Mattress- different sizes
• Turmerry Latex Hybrid Mattress
• White Lotus Natural Latex Mattress

Best Latex Mattresses

This category represents products that have a GOTS-certified mattress (not just the components) and use GOLS latex. May also have additional certifications like OEKO-TEX Standard 100, MADE SAFE, or GREENGUARD. In addition, company values of these brands are also consistent. They do not have sister companies producing polyurethane foam or using flame retardants in other mattresses.

• Happsy Organic Mattress (Discount: $225 off your Happsy total purchase with code “MAMAVATION225″ While supplies last. Cannot be used with other promo codes. Cannot be applied to past purchases. Valid one time per customer. Other restrictions may apply.)
• Lifekind The Metta Latex Mattress
• Lifekind The Euro Latex Mattress
• Lifekind The Euro Soft Top Latex Mattress
• Lifekind The Lassen Latex Mattress
• My Green Mattress Kiwi Hybrid Mattress
• My Green Mattress Natural Escape Mattress
• My Green Mattress Bunk Bed Mattress
• Naturepedic Serenade Organic Hybrid Mattress (Discount: 15% off your Naturepedic total purchase with code MAMAVATION15. While supplies last. Cannot be used with other promo codes. Cannot be applied to past purchases. Valid one time per customer. Other restrictions may apply.)
• Naturepedic EOS Classic Organic Latex Mattress (Discount: 15% off your Naturepedic total purchase with code MAMAVATION15. While supplies last. Cannot be used with other promo codes. Cannot be applied to past purchases. Valid one time per customer. Other restrictions may apply.)
• Naturepedic EOS Pillowtop Organic Latex Mattress (Discount: 15% off your Naturepedic total purchase with code MAMAVATION15. While supplies last. Cannot be used with other promo codes. Cannot be applied to past purchases. Valid one time per customer. Other restrictions may apply.)
• Naturepedic EOS Trilux Organic Latex Mattress (Discount: 15% off your Naturepedic total purchase with code MAMAVATION15. While supplies last. Cannot be used with other promo codes. Cannot be applied to past purchases. Valid one time per customer. Other restrictions may apply.)
• Naturepedic Halcyon Azure Latex Mattress (Discount: 15% off your Naturepedic total purchase with code MAMAVATION15. While supplies last. Cannot be used with other promo codes. Cannot be applied to past purchases. Valid one time per customer. Other restrictions may apply.)
• Naturepedic Halcyon Arcadia Latex Mattress (Discount: 15% off your Naturepedic total purchase with code MAMAVATION15. While supplies last. Cannot be used with other promo codes. Cannot be applied to past purchases. Valid one time per customer. Other restrictions may apply.)
• Naturepedic Halcyon Elysium Latex Mattress (Discount: 15% off your Naturepedic total purchase with code MAMAVATION15. While supplies last. Cannot be used with other promo codes. Cannot be applied to past purchases. Valid one time per customer. Other restrictions may apply.)
• Obasan Classic Mattress  (SPECIAL OFFER: With the purchase of any adult mattress, the customer will receive two complimentary pillows of their choice. Use discount code “MAMAVATIONBED” for two free complimentary pillows of your choice when you purchase an adult mattress.)
• OMI Cascade Latex Mattress
• OMI Lago Nouveau Latex Mattress

The post Best Non-Toxic Latex Mattresses — Avocado Lawsuit Explained appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Are there any mobile phone screen protectors that are free from indications of PFAS “forever chemicals?” PFAS has been identified inside everyday items that we use, like cell phones. Are there also problems with the smartphone screen protectors that are sold to accompany them? Mamavation sent three different phone screen protector products to an EPA-certified laboratory to find out. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like safest green beauty makeup sans PFAS “forever chemicals,” safest cookware sans PFAS, safest parchment paper sans PFAS, and best water purification systems to filter PFAS, now join us for the results of testing for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” for screen protector brands ZAGG, GOTO, & New C.

Scratching or damaging your phone is easier than you may think, especially if you carry your phone in your purse, backpack or pocket with other items like keys. Minor scratches can occur or even major ones when your phone is accidentally dropped. Therefore, when most people are purchasing screen protection, they are concerned about their high-quality cell phones (or other devices like an iPad or Apple Watch) being scratched, broken, or ruined. So they purchase a cell phone case and cell phone screen protectors to mitigate that issue. They may also purchase insurance for more impact protection. However, better impact protection protects your mobile phone without PFAS. There are many options available for plastic screen protectors, so Mamavation has come in to help with our EPA-certified lab to answer those PFAS questions for you along with results from our lab.

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

Do Mobile Phone Screens Contain PFAS “Forever Chemicals”?

We know that cell phones contain PFAS “forever chemicals” because Apple has disclosed this fact already, but we don’t really know what their competition is doing. Apple seems to be the only brand brave enough to make any chemical disclosures in a meaningful way.

If you search for anything related to PFAS on the Android website, you’ll find nothing.  Samsung thinks it’s not fair for them to have to disclose even for factory workers. And Motorola also has nothing.

Does that mean Android, Motorola & Samsung phones are safer? No, it basically means they are not disclosing harmful chemicals like Apple is. That leads us to believe that Apple phones may be safer than other options because they are taking chemical disclosures and safety more seriously. Here’s what we found via brand:

• Apple iPhone — Received an A+ rating for Mind the Store Retailer Report for making lots of changes over the years and continuously leading the pack in terms of protecting consumers from toxic chemicals. We also found a document produced in November of 2022 that says they are working towards taking PFAS out of products. When will this be done? We have no idea because they didn’t provide a timeline, however, please note they are the only ones that disclose.
• Android — This brand does not disclose any chemicals or PFAS of any kind, so we have no idea what their chemical policies look like behind the scenes. If they do disclose, this was very hard to find.
• Motorola — This brand does not disclose chemicals or PFAS of any kind, so we have no idea what their real chemical policies are behind the scenes. If they do disclose, this was very hard to find.
• Samsung Galaxys — This brand not only does not disclose, but they refuse to do so even for workers claiming it would give them an unfair competitive disadvantage. (Watch us roll our eyes at that one as Apple discloses everything.)

It’s safe to say that the mobile phone industry is paranoid about sharing what chemicals they are using, but we believe this issue is bigger than trademarks and competitive disadvantages. Why is the industry refusing to share this information? You be the judge. Therefore the best choice for safety in cell phones is Apple iPhones in our opinion. Yes, even though they have disclosed problematic chemicals. It’s what other brands have not disclosed that worries us even more.

What Are Screen Protectors Made From

We found 4 basic types of cellphone screen protectors and we will go over those differences here. Please note that Mamavation did not test any nano-liquid options.

• Tempered Glass screen protector: This type of screen protector offers superior protection from dropping and breaking your screen. However, because it’s made from a type of glass, it’s thicker and easier to see.
• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) screen protector: These PET screen protectors have the least amount of scratch and impact protection out of the bunch, but they are the least expensive type.
• Nano Liquid Screen Protector: This is a chemical polymer you add to your screen that gives you added protection without allowing fingerprints to show up. Eventually, this product comes off and not all brands are not disclosing what they are made from for proprietary reasons. We did find some brands made from nano-sized silica dioxide, however, the safety of these particles has not been determined yet.
• Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) screen protector: This flexible plastic is very difficult to install on your phone because you have to squeeze out lots of bubbles so it feels smooth. It also has a rubbery texture and may add an orange glare to your screen, but this is better protection overall.

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

Mamavation Finds Traces of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” In Other Products

PFAS, otherwise known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl 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 also released 22 consumer studies looking for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside everyday items and the 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
• Butter Wrappers
• Electrolytes
• Activewear
• Sports Bras
• Green Beauty Makeup
• Period Underwear
• Ketchup
• Parchment Paper
• Cupcake Liners
• Plastic-Free Straws
• Fast Food Packaging
• Bamboo Flooring
• Toilet Paper
• Tampons
• Sanitary Pads & Incontinence Pads
• Dental Floss
• Baby Strollers
• Children’s Probiotics
• Kids’ Backpacks

Other Known 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 butter wrappers, parchment paper brands, plastic-free straws, and cupcake liners 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.

Mamavation’s Lab Tests for Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Mobile Phone Screen Protectors

Mamavation sent mobile screen protectors from ZAGG, GOTO, & New C 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 EPA-Certified Laboratory

• ZAGG Invisible Shield Fusion XTR2 eco made with Hexiom Impact Technology – Non-detect organic fluorine
•  GOTO Screen Protector – Non-detect organic fluorine
•  New C 9H Tempered Glass New’ C Premium Glass Screen Protector: – Non-detect organic fluorine

What does this mean? This means our lab did NOT detect any trace amounts of organic fluorine within ZAGG, GOTO, or New C screen protectors. Organic fluorine is indicative of PFAS “forever chemicals,” therefore none of these products have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” above 10 parts per million (ppm), which is the detection level.

The post Mobile Phone Screen Protectors Tested for Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for your family, friends, or co-workers? Mamavation’s Natural, Non-Toxic, & Organic Holiday Gift Guide for 2023 has the best gift ideas without toxic chemicals for your entire family! We’ve found the perfect gift for everyone in your life including gifts for him, her, little ones, tweens, teenagers, gifts under $25, and stocking stuffers for this holiday season. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like best cookware sans PFAS, best water filters that filter PFAS, and best air purifiers to clean your air, now join us for the 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for your entire family.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, including links to Amazon. Mamavation uses affiliate revenue to pay for consumer studies, research, and daily business & running of this site. We thank you for supporting Mamavation! 

Small Kitchen Appliances & Cookware

Water Purifiers

• AQUA TRU Countertop Carafe Water Filtration Reverse Osmosis & Under-the-Sink  (This link will deduct $100 off a unit for you automatically at checkout.)(Reverse osmosis)
• Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher & Under-the-Sink with Affinity Filtration Technology (This link will deduct 10% off purchase.) (Not reverse osmosis)
• LifeStraw Personal Straw Water Filter for Hiking & Camping $20

Reusable Water Bottles & Stainless Steel Straws

• HydroFlask Oasis  (18/8 stainless steel) $125
• Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth ( 18/8 stainless steel)(Scew-Top Lid) $37
• Klean Kanteen TK Wide Insulated Water Bottle with Twist Cap (18/8 stainless steel)(Scew-top lid) $45
• Klean Kanteen Insulated Water Bottle with Pour Through Cap (18/8 stainless steel)(Scew-top lid) $40
• Pura Insulated Stainless Steel 16 oz Sports Water Bottle (18/8 stainless steel)(Pop-off Top)(Use discount code “MAMAVATION23” for 10% off products!) $20-$31
• Pura Insulated Stainless Steel 22 oz Sports Water Bottle ( 18/8 stainless steel)(Pop-off Top)(Use discount code “MAMAVATION23” for 10% off products!) $20 -$31
• Yeti Rambler Reusable Bottle (18/8 stainless steel)(independently tested “lead-free”) $55
• Life Factory 22oz Glass Water Bottle (France, unknown material but likely Soda Lime Glass)
• Life Factory 12 oz Glass Bottle (France, unknown material but likely Soda Lime Glass)
• UKonserve Stainless Steel Straws (Set of 40) $40

Cookware

• 360 Stainless Steel Cookware (Made in the USA from safe materials. Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off products!)
• Solidteknics nöni™ Stainless Steel Cookware (18/0 nickel free)(Use code “MAMAVATION170” for a free gift of a 7.5″ US-ION Lightening Skillet for any order over $170)
• Solidteknics nöni™ Stainless Steel 3 Saute Pans (18/0 nickel free)(Use code “MAMAVATION170” for a free gift of a 7.5″ US-ION Lightening Skillet for any order over $170)
• Solidteknics Stainless Steel Dutch Oven (18/0 nickel free)(Use code “MAMAVATION170” for a free gift of a 7.5″ US-ION Lightening Skillet for any order over $170)
• Xtrema Cookware (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off your order after black friday sale.) For Black Friday November 17-19 VIP’s enjoy at least 30% off and up to 40% Off Site-Wide + Free Shipping for a limited time. Use password bfbetter to enter site.

Grills & Air Fryers

• Emeril Lagasse Power Grill (chemical disclosure) $130
• Emeril Lagasse Dual-Zone Air Fryer Oven (chemical disclosure) $298
• Gourmia GTF7350 6-in-1 Air Fryer Oven (Refuses to do legally mandated chemical disclosures, however, denies any PFAS coating anywhere in the unit, swap out the aluminum baking tray) $94
• Gourmia GTF7600 16-in-1 Multi-function, Digital Stainless Steel Air Fryer Oven (Refuses to do legally mandated chemical disclosures, however, denies any PFAS coating anywhere in the unit, swap out the aluminum baking tray) $130
• Power XL Turbo Air Fryer (Use discount code “MamaFree” for free shipping)(chemical disclosure) (BPA in chord) $95
• PowerXL Air Fryer Grill (Use discount code “MamaFree” for free shipping) (chemical disclosure)(BPA in chord) $160-$240

Slow Cookers

• 360 Cookware 6 Quart stainless steel slow cookers (Made in the USA! Take 20% off by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)
• 360 Cookware 4 Quart Stainless Steel Slow Cooker (Made in the USA! Take 20% off by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!) 
• 360 Cookware 2.3 Quart Stainless Steel Slow Cooker (Made in the USA! Take 20% off by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!) 

Waffle Makers

• Green Pan 3-in-1 Grill, Griddle & Waffle Maker (Get 30% off by using discount code “MAMAVATION” at checkout) 
• Green Pan 2 Slice Belgian Waffle Maker Stainless Steel (Get 30% off by using discount code “MAMAVATION” at checkout) 
• Green Pan Multi-Grill, Griddle & Waffle Maker Stainless Steel (Get 30% by using discount code “MAMAVATION” at checkout)

Griddles & Grill Pans

• Lodge Round Cast Iron Grill Pan $26
• Lodge Cast Iron Square Grill Pan $40
• Lodge Cast Iron Square Griddle  (additional Lodge Grill Products) $30
• Lodge Chef Collection Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle (for use over two burners)
• GreenPan Extra Large Indoor Griddle (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 30% off products!) $100
• GreenPan Ceramic Non-Stick 3-n-1 Grill, Griddle, & Waffle Maker (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 30% off products!) $240
• GreenPan Bistro Grill & Griddle $95
• GreenPan Bistro Ceramic Non-stick Griddle (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 30% off products!) $100
• GreenPan Ultimate Gourmet Grill (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 30% off products!) $220

Blenders

• Oster Glass Jar Toggle Beehive Blender + Glass Jar $137
• Vitamix (Stainless Steel Container) fits Vitamix Blender so you can avoid original BPS container $170
• Tribest Dyanblend Clean Home Glass Blender DB-950A $161
• Tribest Personal Blender with Vacuum PBG 5001  $279
• Tribest Personal Portable Blender Chrome PBG 5050 $198

Coffee Makers

• Cemex Glass Series pour-over coffee maker $51
• AGOGO Glass Coffee Maker Pour-Over $28
• Ovalware Cold Brew Coffee Maker $36
• Bodom Pedom Coffee Maker with Vacuum, strong flavor $110
• Gvode Stainless Steel Mesh Pour-Over Coffee Maker $30
• Hario Woodneck Drip Pot Coffee Maker $55
• COLETTI Coffee Percolator $40
• FORLIFE Cafe Style Glass Coffee/Tea Press $32
• Faberware 12 Cup Stainless Steel Percolator $38
• Cuisinart Stainless Steel Percolator $80

Electric Kettle

• OXO cordless glass electric kettle $84

Housewares (Dinnerware, Flatware, Air Purifiers, Diffusers, & Infrared Saunas)

Dinnerware

• Ahimsa Purposeful Plates (Use code “MAMAVATION” for 25% off products) 
• Ahimsa Family Bundle Mindful Mealtime Sets: Kids plates, Smart Snacking Bowls, Cups, fork & spoon (Use code “MAMAVATION” for 25% off products) 
• Ahimsa Smart Snacking Bowls (Use code “MAMAVATION” for 25% off products) 
• Ahimsa The Square (from the Movable Meal Collection) (Use code “MAMAVATION” for 25% off products) 
• Corelle Vitrelle Winter Frost White 20-oz Bowls  $5
• Corelle Vitrelle Bella Faenza 10.25 Dinner Plate $6.75
• Corelle Vitrelle Winter White Frost 10.25 Divided Dinner Plate $6.30
• Corelle Vitrelle Winter Frost White 50-Piece Dinnerware Set $140
• Corelle Vitrelle Winter Frost White 78-Piece Dinnerware Set $220
• Corelle Vitrelle Cherish 16-Piece Dinnerware Set $100
• Corelle Vitrelle Linen Weave 18-Piece Dinnerware Set $70
• Corelle Vitrelle ALL Options for Winter White Dinnerware Sets $8-$225
• Corelle ALL Vitrelle Options (we recommended white only)
• Dtocs Palm Leaf Plates (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off purchase!) 

Flatware (Silverware)

• Liberty Tabletop Flatware Annapolis 20-63 Piece Silverware Set (USA) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off) $7-$324
• Liberty Tabletop Flatware Betsy Ross 20-63 Piece Silverware Set (USA) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off) $16-$1,900
• Liberty Tabletop Flatware Pearl 20-63 Piece Silverware Set  (USA)(Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off) $14-$1,600
• Liberty Tabletop Flatware Woodstock 20-63 Piece Silverware Set  (USA)(Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off) $8-$300
• Liberty Tabletop Flatware Classic Rim 20-63 Piece Silverware Set  (USA)(Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off) $14-$440
• Liberty Tabletop Flatware Martha Washington 20-63 Piece Silverware Set  (USA)(Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off) $14-$1,600
• Liberty Tabletop Flatware Modern America 20-63 Piece Silverware Set (USA) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off) $14-$1,600
• Liberty Tabletop Flatware Satin Annapolis 20-63 Piece Silverware Set  (USA)(Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off) $8-$325
• Liberty Tabletop Flatware Providence 20-65 Piece Silverware Set  (USA)(Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off) $8-$300

Air Purifiers

• Air Doctor 3000 ($629)–(Use this link for an automatic $300 off each system) We rate this model the highest for the family room next to the entertainment center. Powerful enough to protect the air in bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and more. Circulates the air in 638 sq. ft. 4x/hour or in 1,274 sq. ft. 2x/hour. Offers 3rd party results on particle efficiency, filters down to 0.003 microns, effective at killing viruses. Air Doctor sent a study conducted in September 2021 looking at how their machine handles particle efficiency. Here is the study for you to see yourself.
• Air Doctor 5500 ($999)–(Use this link for an automatic $400 off each system) We rate this model the highest for the family room next to the entertainment center. Most powerful performance yet is also the quietest. The pure air solution for extra large spaces, high ceilings and open concepts. Circulates the air in 1,001 sq. ft. 4x/ hour or in 2,001 sq. ft. 2x/hour. Offers 3rd party results on particle efficiency, filters down to 0.003 microns, effective at killing viruses. Air Doctor sent a study conducted in September 2021 looking at how their machine handles particle efficiency. Here is the study for you to see yourself.
• Air Doctor 1000 ($399)–(Use this link for an automatic $120 off each system) Small but mighty purification that’s perfect for small bedrooms, nurseries, home offices, laundry rooms and more. Circulates the air in 285 sq. ft. 4x/hour or in 570 sq. ft. 2x/hour. Offers 3rd party results on particle efficiency, filters down to 0.003 microns, effective at killing viruses. Air Doctor sent a study conducted in September 2021 looking at how their machine handles particle efficiency. Here is the study for you to see yourself.

Essential Oil Diffuser & Essential Oils

• AromaTru Smart Waterless Atomizing Diffusion $170-$200 (Take 20% off products by using Mamavation’s link here.)
• AromaTru Essential Oils: (most popular types plus blends) $20-$40 (Take 20% off products by using Mamavation’s link here.)

Non-Toxic Candles

• Fontana Citrus Peel & Pine Essentials 9 oz. Candle (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off purchases from this small biz!) (Made Safe Certified) 
• Fontana Fir Needle & Pin Essentials 9 oz. Candle (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off purchases from this small biz!) (Made Safe Certified) 
• Fontana Peppermint Twist Essential Oil 9 oz Candle (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off purchases from this small biz! (Made Safe Certified) 
• Fontana Frankincense & Myrhh Candle (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off purchases from this small biz!) (Made Safe Certified) 
• Fontana Cinnamon Orange Clove Essential Oil Candles (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off purchases from this small biz!) (Made Safe Certified) 
• Fontana Spiced Latte Essential Oil Candles (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off purchases from this small biz!) (Made Safe Certified) 
• Fontana French Press Coffee Essential Oil Candles (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off purchases from this small biz!)(Made Safe Certified) 
• Meaningful Mantra You Are Brave Spiced Latte 8oz. Coconut Wax Candle (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off purchase from this small biz!) 
• Meaningful Mantra You Are Hygge Scandanavian Bakery 8oz. Coconut Wax Candle (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off your purchase from this small biz!)  
• Meaningful Mantra You Are Cozy Hot Cocoa 8oz. Coconut Wax Candle (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off your purchase from this small biz!) 
• Meaningful Mantra You Are Comforted Snickerdoodle Cookie 8oz. Coconut Wax Candle (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off your purchase from this small biz!) 
• Meaningful Mantra  You Are Enchanting Spruce & Fir 80z. Coconut Wax Candle (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off your purchase from this small biz!) 
• Meaningful Mantra You Are Thriving Pumpkin Spice 8oz. Coconut Wax Candle (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off your purchase from this small biz!) 
• Mountain Rose Herbs Beeswax Pillar Candle (Use discount code “Mama15” for 15% off all regularly priced offerings. It cannot be combined with other discounts, promotions, or wholesale pricing. Online orders only.)
• Mountain Rose Herbs Beeswax Votive Candle (Use discount code “Mama15” for 15% off all regularly priced offerings. It cannot be combined with other discounts, promotions, or wholesale pricing. Online orders only.)
• Mountain Rose Herbs Beeswax Column Candle (Use discount code “Mama15” for 15% off all regularly priced offerings. It cannot be combined with other discounts, promotions, or wholesale pricing. Online orders only.)

GOTS Organic Bath Towels & Kitchen Towels

• Delilah GOTS Organic Kitchen Towels (Use discount code “Holiday25” for 25% off products plus free shipping till November 30th. After this date use code “mamavation” for 20% off products.) 
• Delilah GOTS Organic Cotton Sunset Beach Towels (Use discount code “Holiday25” for 25% off products plus free shipping till November 30th. After this date use code “mamavation” for 20% off products.)
• Delilah GOTS Organic Bath Towels (Use discount code “Holiday25” for 25% off products plus free shipping till November 30th. After this date use code “mamavation” for 20% off products. )

Organic Bedroom (Mattress, Bedding, Pad, Topper, & Pillows)

Mattresses

• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Chorus / Serenade Organic Mattress (Use discount code “BLACKFRIDAY” for 20% off products plus free pillow!) 
• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Customizable Latex Mattress (Use discount code “BLACKFRIDAY” for 20% off products plus free pillow!) 
• Happsy GOTS Organic Mattress (Use discount code “MAMAVATION10” for 10% off products!) 
• Happsy GOTS Mattress Foundation (Use discount code “MAMAVATION10” for 10% off products!) 

Pillows

• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Adjustable Latex Pillow (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!) 

Bedding, Toppers, & Pads

• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Cotton Bedding (tested non-detect for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals”) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!)
• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Mattress Protector Pad (tested non-detect for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals”) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!) 
• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Kids Sheets & Pillowcases (tested non-detect for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals”) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!) 
• Naturepedic Organic GOTS Organic Waterproof Kids Mattress Pad (tested for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals”) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!) 
• Happsy GOTS Organic Cotton Bedding (tested non-detect for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals”) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION10” for 10% off products!) 
• Happsy GOTS Organic Mattress Pad (tested non-detect for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals”) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION10” for 10% off products!) 
• Happsy GOTS Organic Mattress Topper (tested non-detect for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals”) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION10” for 10% off products!) 
• Delilah GOTS Organic Bed Sheets (Use discount code “Holiday25” for 25% off products & free shipping till November 30th. After this date use code “mamavation” for 20% off products.) 

Cleaners, Disinfectants, & Laundry Deals

• Branch Basics Premium Starter Kit (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off starter kits!) 
• Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off Starter Kits!) 
• Back to Basics Cleaner Than Clean (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 5% off products at checkout!)
• Dupray Steam Cleaning Machine–Clean your furniture, carpet, car upholstery, (or steam clothing) without harsh chemicals without having to ever rent equipment again.  Use “MAMAVATION5″ for 5% off the product.
• Earthley Laundry Detergent (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!) 
• Force of Nature Disinfectant  (get 40% off plus free shipping on bundles–use the discount code “MAMAVATION” at checkout. If you want a starter kit use “MAMAVATION30” for 30% off a starter kit. ) 
• Truly Free Fresh Start Laundry Kit (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 30% off products!) 

Wellness & Supplements

Meat Deliveries

1. Wild Pastures Membership–pastured, grass-fed meat delivery service from producers located in the United States. Deals are based on what is local to your area. These farmers are all using regenerative farming practices with the aim to capture carbon in their soils. Wild Pastures offers 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef, free-range organic chicken, heritage breed pork, & wild-caught seafood. These farmers do not need to use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, hormones, or antibiotics. Use our link and you will get $25 off your first 4 boxes.

Supplements

• Seed Daily Symbiotic Membership $49.99–-(Use promo code MAMAVATION for 20% off first order.) Highest-rated probiotic on Mamavation! Seed’s Daily Synbiotic combines 24 clinically studied probiotic strains (not found in yogurt, most supplements, or fermented foods and beverages) with a non-fermenting prebiotic compound isolated and purified from Indian pomegranate. It’s the first to take a Microbe-Systems Approach with strain-specific benefits beyond digestive health, including skin health, heart health, gut immune function, gut barrier integrity, and micronutrient synthesis. It’s also the first formulation to include strains that synthesize folate and increase production within the body.
• Seed PDS-08™ Prebiotic + Probiotic for Kids — This is Mamavation’s recommendation for probiotics for children based on clinical trials and use of best-proven bacterial strains. It’s also been independently tested by us for indications of PFAS and had non-detect organic fluorine results. (Use discount code “mamavation” for 20% off the first order of Seed PDS-08 Prebiotic + Probiotic for Kids)
• Perfect Supplements Vitamin D3 Drops — My favorite Vitamin D3 drops tested for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” and passed. Also helped me bring up my Vitamin D levels to normal range! (Huge sale while supplies last of 25% off plus stack “MAMAVATION” on top for an extra 10% off till Nov. 16th) 
• Perfect Supplements Collagen — Tested for phthalates & indications of PFAS forever chemicals and passed! Also glyphosate-residue free certified! (Huge sale while supplies last of 25% off plus stack “MAMAVATION” on top for an extra 10% off till Nov. 16th) 
• Kombucha & Kefir Make At Home Supplies — Kombucha Kamp is your one-stop-shop to making kombucha, kefir, and other fermented treats at home. (Use discount code “THNX20” for 20% off supplies!)
• MegaFood Supplements — My favorite multi-vitamins. (Use discount code “BLACKFRIDAY25” for 25% off products till 11/26) 

Non-Toxic Infrared Saunas

• Clearlight Premier IS-2 Two Persons Infrared Sauna  (Clearlight Infrared Saunas offering the Mamavation community between $400-600 off the cost of a unit, lifetime warranty, and a backrest when purchasing. To learn more click here or dial 1-800-798-1779 and let them know you are with Mamavation.)
• Clearlight Premier IS-3 Three Person Jacuzzi Far Infrared Sauna (Clearlight Infrared Saunas offering the Mamavation community between $400-600 off the cost of a unit, lifetime warranty, and a backrest when purchasing. To learn more click here or dial 1-800-798-1779 and let them know you are with Mamavation.)
• High Tech Health Transcend TR-1 (High Tech Health is offering $300 off any sauna. Call (800) 794-5355 or visit hightechhealth.com and be sure to mention Mamavation for a discount!)
• High Tech Health Transcend TR-2 (High Tech Health is offering $300 off any sauna. Call (800) 794-5355 or visit hightechhealth.com and be sure to mention Mamavation for a discount!)
• High Tech Health Transcend TR-3 (High Tech Health is offering $300 off any sauna. Call (800) 794-5355 or visit hightechhealth.com and be sure to mention Mamavation for a discount!)

Fitness

• Bowflex Home Gym Series–-$499
• Echelon Smart Connect Fitness Mirror Workout–-$999
• NordicTrack T Series Treadmill––$649
• Flybird Adjustable Weight Bench–-$145

Women’s Apparel & Undergarments

Leggings without Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Tested by Mamavation

• Groceries Apparel Leggings — non-detect total fluorine
• Mate The Label Organic Stretch Legging — non-detect total fluorine (DISCOUNT: Take 15% off purchases by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)
• Pact Organic Go-To Pocket Legging — non-detect total fluorine (DISCOUNT: Take 20% off your first Pact Organic purchase by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)

Sports Bras without Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Tested by Mamavation

• Pact Organic Racerback Lounge Bra — non-detect results (DISCOUNT: Take 20% off your first Pact Organic purchase by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout.)
• Mate The Label Organic Sports Bra Green — non-detect results (DISCOUNT: Take 15% off purchases by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)
• Rawganique BEVERLY Organic Cotton Triple Strap Active Bra — Non-detect results
• Satva GOTS Organic Nanda Bra — non-detect results

Women’s Everyday Clothing

(We have not tested these specific pieces, but we have tested other pieces from this line and it was non-detect for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals.”)

• Groceries Apparel Hemp Patchouli Skirt (Up to 30% off sale)
• Groceries Apparel Guru Pant (Up to 30% off sale) 
• Groceries Apparel Kimono Cargo (Up to 30% off sale) 
• Mate the Label Dresses & Jumpsuits (DISCOUNT: Take 15% off purchases by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)
• Mate the Label Sweaters & Tops (DISCOUNT: Take 15% off purchases by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)
• Pact Organic On The Go Gifts (Selected items on sale!) (DISCOUNT: Take 20% off your first Pact Organic purchase by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)
• Pact Organic Cozy Gifts (Selected items on sale!) (DISCOUNT: Take 20% off your first Pact Organic purchase by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)
• Pact Organic Best Dressed Gifts (Selected items on sale!) (DISCOUNT: Take 20% off your first Pact Organic purchase by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)
• Pact Organic Holiday Pajamas (Selected items on sale!) (DISCOUNT: Take 20% off your first Pact Organic purchase by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)

Personal Care Products & Feminine Care

Makeup From Brands Tested by Mamavation for Indication of PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

• 100% Pure: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara (non-detect), 100% Pure Lip Caramel Lip Gloss (non-detect), & 100% Pure Bamboo Blur Tinted Moisturizer (non-detect), 100% Pure Mermaid Eyeshadow (non-detect), 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Healthy Foundation Toffee (non-detect), 100% Long Last Concealer with Super Fruits Toffee (Use discount code “MAMAVATION20” for 20% off all 100% Pure products)
• Aisling Organics: Aisling Organics Mascara Black (non-detect) & Aisling Organics Lip Gloss (non-detect) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION10” for 10% off all Aisling Organic products.)
• Beautycounter: Beautycounter All-n-1 Mascara (non-detect), Beautycounter Beyond Gloss (non-detect) & Beautycounter Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation (non-detect), Beautycounter Lid Glow Cream Shadow Ombre Creme- Sepia (non-detect), Beautycounter cheeky Clean Cream Blush – Paloma (non-detect)
• Crunchi: Crunchi Shattered Mascara (non-detect), Crunchi My Alibi Concealer (non-detect), Crunchi Volume II Shadow Bar Eyeshadow (non-detect), Crunchi Spice Shadow Bar Special Edition (non-detect)
• FITGLOW Beauty: FITGLOW Beauty Lip Colour Serum (non-detect) & FITGLOW Beauty Vegan Good Lash Mascara (non-detect), & FITGLOW Beauty Beauty Plum Lash Primer (non-detect) & FITGLOW Foundation (non-detect) (Use discount code “Mamavation20” for 20% off all FitGlow Beauty products)
• Primally Pure: Primally Pure Lip Balm Creamsicle (non-detect) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off the entire order.)
• Sappho New Paradigm Cosmetics: Sappho New Paradigm Maximum Intensity Vegan Mascara (non-detect), Sappo New Paradigm Essential Foundation (non-detect) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION2022” for 10% off entire order till Sept. 30th)

Tallow, Lotions, Moisturizers & Creams

• Beautycounter Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm (20% off sitewide AND free shipping (with orders of $50) PLUS free gift of your choice (with orders of $150+)
• Beautycounter Good Scents Hand Cream Trio (20% off sitewide AND free shipping (with orders of $50) PLUS free gift of your choice (with orders of $150+)
• Beautycounter Mini Beyond Gloss Vault (20% off sitewide AND free shipping (with orders of $50) PLUS free gift of your choice (with orders of $150+)
• Beautycounter Main Squeeze Lip Jellies (20% off sitewide AND free shipping (with orders of $50) PLUS free gift of your choice (with orders of $150+)
• Beautycounter Triple Quench Body Butter Set (20% off sitewide AND free shipping (with orders of $50) PLUS free gift of your choice (with orders of $150+)
• Beautycounter Luminous Hydration Body Oil in Citrus Rosemary (20% off sitewide AND free shipping (with orders of $50) PLUS free gift of your choice (with orders of $150+)
• Beautycounter Sugar & Silk Body Set (20% off sitewide AND free shipping (with orders of $50) PLUS free gift of your choice (with orders of $150+)
• Bello Tallow Time Machine Whipped Tallow (tallow, not oil)(Use that link for an automatic 10% off your first purchase)
• Bello Tallow Lux Blu Anti Aging Whipped Tallow (tallow, not oil)(Use that link for an automatic 10% off your first purchase) 
• Crunchi Daily Facial Sunscreen (10% off purchases of $50+ for new customers!)
• Crunchi Powerlite Eye Cream (10% off purchases of $50+ for new customers!)
• Crunchi Makeup Cleansing Balm (10% off purchases of $50+ for new customers!)
• Crunchi Goldenlight Multi Peptide Facial Serum (10% off purchases of $50+ for new customers!)
• Crunchi Vitamin C Facial Serum (10% off purchases of $50+ for new customers!)
• Crunchi Daylight Facial Cream (10% off purchases of $50+ for new customers!)
• Crunchi Daylight Advanced Facial Cream (10% off purchases of $50+ for new customers!)
• Crunchi Gentle Facial Bar (10% off purchases of $50+ for new customers!)
• Crunchi Facial Exfoliator (10% off purchases of $50+ for new customers!)
• Crunchi Facial Essence (10% off purchases of $50+ for new customers!)
• Crunchi Nightlight Advanced Facial Cream (10% off purchases of $50+ for new customers!)
• Pure Haven 4-piece mani-pedi gift set with pure sunshine rollerball scent and FREE skincare bag: Includes luxurious foot therapy cream, foot therapy soak, hand cream with pre+probiotics, and cuticle balm with probiotics, plus limited-release pure sunshine rollerball scent.
• Pure Haven 4-piece clear-up and watermelon gift set w/FREE cosmetic bag: Includes clear-up cleanser and toner and watermelon body wash and hand & body lotion, and comes beautifully packaged in a FREE Pure Haven cosmetics bag.
• Pure Haven Pure Joy gift set w/free cosmetics bag: Includes the pure joy candle, firming body oil, and rollerball scent, and receive a FREE Pure Haven logoed cosmetic bag.
• Pure Haven 2-piece candy cane body care set: Includes candy cane sugar body scrub and body wash
• Pure Haven 2-piece candy cane hand care set: Includes candy cane moisturizing hand soap and hand and body lotion

Feminine Care Products & Period Underwear

• Lilova (no fluorine detected)(*newest brand added) Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off your order. 
• Aisle (formerly known as Lunapads) (no fluorine detected) Use discount code “MAMAVATION_10” for $10 off any order over $35 placed on periodaisle.com here.
• Period (no fluorine detected) Use discount code “MAMA” for a special sale of “Buy 3 panties and get 1 free”
• Modibodi (no fluorine detected) Use discount code “MAMA10” for 10% off orders over $100 for new customers. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, on sale, gift cards or bundle packs. Limit one per customer.
• Revol (no fluorine detected) Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off your first purchase.
• Saalt Period Underwear— non-detect organic fluorine result 2023. (Prior testing in 2021 had a detection of 10 ppm fluorine. Kudos to Saalt for fixing this issue!) Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15 % off your first purchase. One use per customer, excluding bundles.

For the Family

Toddlers to Grade School

• Ahimsa Purposeful Plates (Use code “MAMAVATION” for 25% off products) 
• Ahimsa Family Bundle Mindful Mealtime Sets: Kids plates, Smart Snacking Bowls, Cups, fork & spoon (Use code “MAMAVATION” for 25% off products) 
• Ahimsa Smart Snacking Bowls (Use code “MAMAVATION” for 25% off products) 
• Ahimsa The Square (from the Movable Meal Collection) (Use code “MAMAVATION” for 25% off products) 
• Seed PDS-08™ Prebiotic + Probiotic for Kids — This is Mamavation’s recommendation for probiotics for children based on clinical trials and use of best-proven bacterial strains. It’s also been independently tested by us for indications of PFAS and had non-detect organic fluorine results. (Use discount code “mamavation” for 20% off the first order of Seed PDS-08 Prebiotic + Probiotic for Kids)
• Best Rugs: Children’s Rugs made from GOTS organic cotton & wool from OrganicWeave (Get 10% off when using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)

Kids & Teenagers

• Pencils from Sprout World that Can Be Composted $15
• Lego City 2023 Advent Calendar $40
• Lego Star Wars 2023 Advent Calendar $33
• Lego Harry Potter 2023 Advent Calendar $28
• Lego Marvel Avengers 2023 Advent Calendar $33
• Lego Friends 2023 Advent Calendar $25
• National Geographic Mega Science Advent Calendar $40
• National Geographic Rock Collection Advent Calendar $23
• National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar $24
• National Geographic Magic Advent Calendar $26
• Organic Beeswax Crayons $24
• Octopus Bluetooth Wireless Speaker $30
• Tamagotchi Original $40
• Solar System Jumbo Puzzle $15
• Pocket Flyers Paper Airplane Book $10
• Mandalorian Grogu Mini-Bluetooth Speakers $19
• Japanese Puzzle Box $119
• Cornhole Yard Set $70
• Wake Up with Sunlight Alarm Clock $39
• Brentwood Home GOTS certified Organic Non-Slip Yoga Mat $159
• Mission to Mindfulness Mars Zen Garden $40
• Pimple Popper Remover Tools Stainless Steel $16
• Microscope Kit $174
• Catan Board Game $30
• Poop Bingo Game $31
• Skywalker Rectangle Trampoline $416
• Best Rugs: Children’s Rugs made from GOTS organic cotton & wool from OrganicWeave (Get 10% off when using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)

Pregnant & Newborn

• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Breathable Baby Mattress (Use discount code “BLACKFRIDAY” for 20% off) 
• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Body Pillow (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products)
• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Nursing Pillow (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products)
• Brentwood Home GOTS certified Organic Non-Slip Yoga Mat $159
• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Waterproof & Breathable Bassinet Mattress for Halo Bassinets (Use discount code “BLACKFRIDAY” for 20% off products)
• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Oval Bassinet Mattress for Stokke Sleepi Bassinets (Use discount code “BLACKFRIDAY” for 20% off products)
• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Changing Pad (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products)
• Naturepedic GOTS Organic Protector Pads (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products)
• Best Rugs: Children’s Rugs made from GOTS organic cotton & wool from OrganicWeave (Get 10% off when using “MAMAVATION” at checkout!)

For Him

• Leatherman Multitool Package Opener/Screwdriver $40
• Leatherman Super Everything Multitool with magnetic locking $149
• Gogogo Sports Laser Golf/Hunting Rangefinder $73
• Deep Tissue Massage Gun $49
• Lenski Universal Socket $10
• Wooden Beard Comb $21
• Back Scratcher $12
• 60 Day Camping Lantern $76
• Magnetic Wrist Band $10
• Tactical Pen with Window Breaker $18
• Solo Stove Bonfire with Stand $379
• Bowflex Home Gym Series–-$499
• Echelon Smart Connect Fitness Mirror Workout–-$999
• NordicTrack T Series Treadmill––$649
• Magnetically mounted beer bottle opener $18
• Flybird Adjustable Weight Bench–-$145
• LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking & Camping $20
• Travel Bartender Gift Bag Set 17-Piece Copper Bar Set $68
• Torched Wood Beer Glasses Flight Board Set $27
• Jillmo Whiskey Decanter Set $80
• Mounted Mason Jar Keep the Change Sign $13
• Industrial Pipe and Burnt Wood Whiskey Flight Set $38
• Multi-Plug Outlet Extender Power Strip $10

For Her

• BOOK: Green Enough–Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier (All Without Driving Your Family Crazy!) published by Penguin/Rodale. Mamavation blogger Leah Segedie uncovers the truth behind the food and household products that are misleadingly labeled “all-natural” and healthy but are actually filled with chemicals and toxins. From furniture to packaged food, Leah guides you through detoxifying your home, diet, and lifestyle, showing you how to make the best choices possible. $17
• Luxury Bathtub Bamboo Caddy $30
• Dtocs Palm Leaf Plates (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off purchase!) 
• Facial Dry Brush $18
• Dry Brush Duo $30
• Crunchi Makeup Brushes
• Smart Bird Feeder with Camera $66

Smaller OR Less Expensive Gifts

Stocking Stuffers

• Shower Hair Scalp Shampoo Brush $7
• 23&Me Ancestry Genetic Testing $129
• Rubik’s Cube $15
• Bicycle Cat Playing Cards $7
• Amazon Gift Card in Gift Box $10-$500
• Stainless Steel Vegetable Peeler $10
• BOOK: Green Enough–Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier (All Without Driving Your Family Crazy!) published by Penguin/Rodale. Mamavation blogger Leah Segedie uncovers the truth behind the food and household products that are misleadingly labeled “all-natural” and healthy but are actually filled with chemicals and toxins. From furniture to packaged food, Leah guides you through detoxifying your home, diet, and lifestyle, showing you how to make the best choices possible. $20

White Elephant Gifts $25 & Under

• Bob Ross Chia Pet $25
• Poo Pourri Toilet Spray $11
• Classic Wooden Blocks Stacking Game $10
• Slinky Original Walking Spring Toy $4
• Milk Frother & Coffee Frother $12
• Classic Jenga Coffeetable Game $10
• Dry Body Brush made from boar hair $10
• Head Massager $10
• Mulberry Silk Pillowcase $24
• Beard Bib Apron $10
• Drop It Wine Drops (lowers sulfites & tannins in wine) $14
• Dublin Cocktail Shaker $24
• Hydroflask Stainless Steel Reusable Mug $24
• Hodor Door Stop $19
• Candle Snuffer $7

Want More Mamavation Investigations?

PFAS Indicator Testing

Beauty & Personal Care Products PFAS Testing

• Green Beauty Makeup –100+ products
• Toilet Paper — 17 products
• Dental Floss — 39 products
• Contact Lenses — 18 products

Food & Beverages PFAS 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

Supplement PFAS Testing

• Electrolytes — 40 products
• Children’s Probiotics — 21 products

Menstrual Product PFAS Testing

• Tampons — 23 brands
• Sanitary Pads & Incontinence Pads – 46 products
• Period Underwear — 20 brands

Clothing PFAS Testing

• Activewear –Yoga Pants & Workout Leggings— 32 products
• Sports bras — 23 products

Food Packaging & Parchment Paper PFAS 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

Baby & Children PFAS Testing

• Strollers 
• Diapers
• Probiotics for Children
• Kids Backpacks — 19 products

Computers, Phones, & Office PFAS Testing

•  Mobile Phone Screen Protectors 

Additional Mamavation Investigations For Your Family

Food & Pantry 

• Collagen
• Butter 
• Sweeteners
• Dark Chocolate
• Chocolate Chips, Milk Chocolate, Cocoa Powder, & Cake Mixes
• Pasta & Tomato Sauces (include PFAS lab reports!)
• Ketchup (includes PFAS lab reports!)
• Organic Dairies (all) OR specific organic dairies tested for phthalates
• Organic Yogurt
• Cottage Cheese
• Salmon
• Spices
• Chips & Salsa
• Hummus
• Bread, Oats, Legumes, Protein Powder & Bars with Glyphosate Labs 2022
• Protein Powders (includes lab reports!)
• Seafood
• Meal Replacement & Protein Bars
• Cereals
• Popsicles
• Oatmeals & Oat Based Cereals
• Processed Meats
• Condiments
• Salad Dressings & Marinades
• Bread
• Soups
• Canned food
• BBQ Foods
• Oils tested for phthalates

Beverages

• Wine
• Spritz & Hard Seltzers
• Beverages in Glass Bottles–Which Bottle Caps Have Phthalates
• Plant-Based Milk Beverages
• Tea
• Iced Tea
• Orange Juice
• Organic Dairies (all) or specific Organic Dairies Tested for Phthalates
• Coffee
• Decaffeinated Coffee
• Coffee Creamers
• Sweeteners
• Electrolytes
• Water Filters for PFAS “Forever Chemical” Filtration

Personal Care Products

• Makeup
• Lotion
• Hand Cremes
• Anti-Acne Products
• Anti-Aging Creams
• Soap & Body Wash
• Liquid Hand Soaps
• Sunscreens
• Body Oils
• Nail Polish
• Face Wash & Moisturizers
• Hair Styling Products
• Hairsprays
• Detanglers
• Leave-In Conditioners
• Hair Dye
• Deodorant
• Dry Shampoo
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Shampoo Bars & Conditioner Bars
• MLM Companies
• Toothpaste
• Dental Floss
• Mouthwash
• Toilet Paper
• Head Lice Treatment Products
• Hair Relaxers
• Peel-Off Facial Masks, Sheet Facial Masks, & K-beauty Facial Masks
• Beard Oil
• Self Tanning Products
• Contact Lenses

Feminine Care

• Period Underwear
• Tampons
• Sanitary Pads & Incontinence Pads

Clothing

• Jackets & Raincoats without PFAS
• Yoga Pants & Workout Leggings without PFAS
• Sports Bras without PFAS

Cookware & Other Kitchen Accessories

• Cookware
• Ceramic Cookware
• Stainless Steel Cookware
• Dishes & Dishware
• Air Fryers & Air Fryer Ovens
• Rice Cookers
• Waffle Makers
• Cupcake & Muffin Pans
• Baking Sheets, Cookie Sheets, and Sheet Pans
• Indoor Kitchen Grills & Paninis
• Blenders
• Nut Milk Makers
• Food Processors
• Toasters & Toaster Ovens
• Water Filters
• Disposable plates & foodware
• Cupcake Liners
• Plastic Free Disposable Straws
• Outdoor Grills & BBQs

Cleaning Products

• All-Purpose Cleaners
• Hardwood Floor Cleaners & Other Cleaners
• Safe Disinfectants 
• Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners
• Window & Glass Cleaners
• Laundry Detergent
• Fabric Softeners & Dryer Sheets
• Dish Soap
• Dishwasher Detergents
• Rinse Aids

Other Consumer Products

• Air Purifiers
• Infrared Saunas
• Organic Mattresses
• Bedding without PFAS
• Showerhead Water Filters
• Space Heaters
• Televisions
• Kitchen Cabinets
• Candles

Baby Needs & Prenatal

• Diapers
• Strollers
• Kids Play Couch
• Prenatal Vitamins
• Organic Infant formula
• Baby Crib Mattresses
• Infant Supplements & Probiotics
• Baby Food / Updated Baby Food Investigation 2019 with Lab Results
• Car Seats
• Lanolin
• Baby food processors

Elementary Schooled Kids

• Crayons & School Supplies
• Children’s Supplements & Probiotics
• Kids Play Couch
• Jackets & Raincoats
• Probiotics for Children
• Kids Backpacks

Medicine Cabinet

• Probiotics
• Probiotics for Children
• OTC Cough Syrups

Pets

• Dog Food
• Cat Food

Outdoors

• Safer Pest Control for Home Use
• Organic Herbicides & Other Pesticides for Garden
• BBQ & Grills

The post Natural, Non-Toxic, & Organic Holiday Gift Guide 2023 appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Are you looking for the perfect weighted blanket made from safer materials and fabrics? Weighted blankets work to settle the nervous system by providing deep pressure stimulation. What does science say about weighted blankets and which products are the safest? You’ve come to the right place! You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you safest bedding without PFAS “forever chemicals,” best organic mattresses, best air purifiers to clean your indoor air, now join us as we bring you our latest investigation on weighted blankets.

Disclosure: This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. Please make sure to do your own research because materials and products can change without notice. This post also contains affiliate links, including from Amazon. Mamavation uses the proceeds from these affiliate links to pay for our lab studies, research, and the daily running of our site. You can send a tax-deductible donation to Mamavation to support our work here. We thank you for your support! 

What Have Researchers Said About Weighted Blankets

I first came across the concept of weighted vests and blankets when my oldest child was diagnosed with Autism over a decade ago. At that time, there was very little science to back up the legitimacy of what I saw when I started using these products with my own children. But over the years, more and more studies have been released looking at the relationship between weighted blankets and better sleep and calming the nervous system. Today, there are several studies proclaiming weighted blankets may make a positive impact on the lives of people. Here are several studies we pulled to demonstrate how far that science has come.

• Occupational Therapy in Mental Health in 2015: This study published in Occupational Therapy in Mental Health looked at 30 adults admitted to the hospital for mental-health-related issues using 30-pound weighted blankets. In this study, 60% of the participants reported a “significant” reduction in anxiety when using the 30 lbs. weighted blanket.
• American Journal of Occupational Therapy in 2020: A study published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy reviewed more evidence supporting weighted blanket use for anxiety over insomnia.
• Journal of Sleep Research in 2022: A study in the Journal of Sleep Research suggested that using a weighted blanket at bedtime can increase melatonin released within the body and can help insomnia.
• Journal of Pediatrics in 2014: A study in the Journal of Pediatrics suggested that weighted blankets do not impact the sleep of children with Autism, however, the parents responded that it did help them at home.
• International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation in 2016: Another study about children with autism and weighted blankets published in the International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation was inconclusive it had impacts on sleep when studying two children.
• Journal of Occupational Therapy in 2020: A study in 2020 published in the Journal of Occupational Therapy found that weighted blankets can “provide a powerful intervention tool for occupational therapy practice with autistic adults to address sensory and sleep issues and the stress from everyday life.”
• Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy 2020: Another study in 2020 published in the Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy also found a positive relationship between using weighted blankets to sleep by children and adults with ADHD and Autism and falling asleep, sleeping the whole night, and relaxing during the day.

In other words, according to studies, weighted blankets can promote relaxation by providing the body with a “hug” that also may lower symptoms of anxiety, battle insomnia, and possibly provide some relief from sleep disorders. However, the studies on how this works with children with Autism were mixed even though parents typically say it does help them at home. So the question is, are the clinical settings unable to see the benefits because of the uncomfortable settings, OR are the parents of children with Autism just believing it helps and the reality is it doesn’t? Overwhelmingly, studies point to a positive relationship between better sleep and weighted blankets in the overall population. You decide and shop accordingly.

Materials Used Inside Weighted Blankets

The materials used for the shell and fill materials of weighted blankets (also called gravity blankets) are not something most people are looking into when they want to lounge on the couch. Most of the time, people want to know about its machine-washability and care instructions, durability, even weight distribution, and whether it sleeps hot. These are all about your personal preference and that is fine, but we are looking primarily at what materials they are using instead.

Weighted blankets are full of a few layers with mostly the outer shell and the inner fill materials. The care of how it’s put together will impact whether you can wash it in the washing machine and dryer. Please pay close attention to that before you purchase, because not all weighted blankets can go into the washing machine and dryer and need to be hand washed instead. If you are a hot sleeper or you are in warmer months, you’ll want a more simple design. The fill materials are what create the weight and weighted blankets will vary on their weight options.

Here are the materials we found in the 65+ weighted blankets we analyzed with public disclosures:

Problematic Shell & Fill Materials

The most problematic materials are made from polyester (polyethylene terephthalate). This material is made from petroleum and most of the time is also processed with toxic heavy metal antimony and numerous other unknown chemicals. It does take some time to break down the polyester to be exposed to antimony, but it’s unknown how many washes that would take. However, it’s important to understand that polyester, in general, has also been linked to lowering sperm count and also specifically studied in dogs based on increasing exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Unfortunately, the vast majority of fabrics are either made from polyester or some type of polyester blend, so it’s impossible to completely avoid this. But being mindful of these issues and perhaps washing on “cold” instead of “warm” would be beneficial to you, in the long run, to delay exposure when purchasing weighted blankets made from this material.

• Polyester
• Microfiber (polyester)
• Polyester fiber fill
• Polyester beads

Okay Shell & Fill Materials

This realm of materials is better, but not “best.” It’s likely better for the environment or for public health in some ways, but perhaps not in all ways. OEKO-TEX would guarantee that the product as it’s sold is not off-gassing dangerous amounts of toxic chemicals into the indoor air. It does not guarantee, however, that this will continue through the entire life of the product because that is not how the certification works. It also does not mean the materials are good for the environment. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) also uses mysterious additives in the production of things like water bottles. Recycling these bottles would not mean they are less toxic to your family, but they are being “re-used” and thus it lessens the need for more PET plastics in general. We’ve put this imperfect situation here where it belongs. Bamboo viscose is not necessarily toxic to consumers, but the manufacturing of most of these fibers is toxic to the environment and workers. Bamboo viscose can be made in a safer way and that type of bamboo viscose (Tencel) has been placed in “best” materials.

• Recycled down alternative made from plastic bottles (PET)
• Bamboo viscose
• Materials certified by OEKO-TEX made from petroleum

Best Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly Shell & Fill Materials

These materials are less likely to off-gas problematic chemicals over time. They are also safer for environmental reasons. Because of the lack of cotton in weighted blankets, in general, we’ve placed both organic and conventional cotton in this category because it breaks down in the environment easily. Unfortunately, most materials used for making weighted blankets are either made from polyester or some type of polyester blend and do not break down in landfills. We only included 1-2 brands with non-organic cotton in the best category.

• Organic Cotton
• 100% Cotton
• 100% certified OKEO-TEX cotton
• Organic Hemp
• Glass beads
• Certified lead-free glass beads
• Organic bamboo viscose
• Tencel (more eco-friendly bamboo viscose)

Mamavation’s Investigation of Weighted Blankets

Mamavation ranked about 65 different weighted blanket products by looking at their publically available disclosure of materials. We also looked for certifications like OEKO-TEX and GOTS Organic. Products with full disclosure also did better than products that were less transparent about their materials.

Not Our Favorite Weighted Blankets

These weighted blankets were mostly made from polyester, polyester blends, or unknown materials and did not disclose enough information about the materials for us to bump them up to another category.

• Bare Home Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket
• Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket
• CapeAble Smartweight Weighted Blanket Throw Size
• Casper Weighted Blanket
• Degrees of Comfort Weighted Blanket (with Duvet Covers)
• Degrees of Comfort Weighted Throw Blanket
• Ella Jayne Weighted Anti-Anxiety Blanket
• Harkla Kids Weighted Blanket
• Helix Sleep Weighted Blanket
• Hush Iced 2.0 Cooling Weighted Blanket
• Layla Weighted Blanket
• Nectar Serenity Weighted Blanket
• Nest Bedding Weighted Blanket
• Nuzzie Knit Weighted Blanket
• Oodie Weighted Blanket
• Pure Enrichment PureComfort Weighted Blanket
• Quility Premium Weighted Blanket (with removable cover)
• Sensory Goods Standard Weighted Blanket
• Sleep Number True Temp Weighted Blanket
• Sunday Citizen Snug Crystal Weighted Blanket
• Tempur-Pedic Weighted Blanket
• TOPCEE Weighted Blanket
• Tranquility Blanket (with washable cover)
• Uttermara Sherpa Weighted Blanket
• Waowoo Weighted Blanket
• Yaasa Signature Weighted Blanket
• Yaasa Signature Mini Weighted Blanket (for Kids ages 5 & up + under 80 lbs)
• YnM Exclusive Bamboo Weighted Blanket

Better Weighted Blankets

These brands are in the middle of the road. Most of them contain OEKO-TEX certification which means they are not off-gassing chemicals into the air when they are purchased. However, if you wash these blankets many times, we don’t know if that would change. We are also unaware if the polyester blends contain antimony, so we recommend you do not wash them in hot water. Very few brands contain just cotton because they are mostly made from blends of polyester and cotton or bamboo. The fill in this category is mostly made from polyester. Additional products were put here because they were not clear enough about their materials. This category would be better for you the consumer, but not necessarily the environment.

• Aricove Weighted Blanket
• Bare Home Weighted Blanket
• Brooklinen Weighted Blanket
• Brooklinen Weighted Comforter
• Casaluna Knit Weighted Blanket
• Comma Home Minky Weighted Blanket
• Comma Home Bamboo Modal Weighted Blanket
• Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket
• Gravity Basics Weighted Blanket
• LUNA Weighted Blanket
• Nolah Weighted Bamboo Blanket
• Nodpod Compact Weighted Body Pod (not a full blanket)
• Room Essentials 12 lb Weighted Blanket
• Silk & Snow Hand Knitted Weighted Blanket
• Slumber Cloud Weighted Blanket
• Sweet ZZZ Weighted Blanket
• Threshold Microplush Weighted Blanket
• TruHugs Solo Organic Hemp Weighted Blanket
• Uttermara Fleece & Cotton Weighted Blanket for Kids
• YnM Original Cotton Weighted Blanket
• ZonLi Bamboo Cooling Weighted Blanket
• ZonLi Cotton Weighted Blanket for Kids

Best Weighted Blankets

These weighted blankets are made from either cotton or organic cotton. No materials inside each product are made from petroleum. The fill would also be made of cotton and glass beads. Only brands that were clear about their materials made it to this list.

• Baloo Weighted Blanket
• Bearaby Cotton Napper (15, 20, & 25 lbs)
• Bearaby Cotton Napper (10 lbs)
• Bearaby Nappling (For Kids)
• Bearaby Light Weight Tencel Tree Napper 
• Bearaby Queen Sized Weighted Blanket for Bed
• Bearaby Travel Blanket
• Luxome Weighted Blanket
• Mosaic Organic Cotton Weighted Blanket
• Saatva Organic Weighted Blanket
• Simple Being Weighted Blanket 
• WeeSprout Weighted Blanket for Kids (not available presently)
• Yaasa Luxe Weighted Blanket
• Yaasa Serenity Knit Weighted Blanket

The post Best Non-Toxic Weighted Blankets with Safer Materials appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Are you looking for a safe natural non-toxic rug free from harmful chemicals for your living room or for the kids bedroom? Natural fiber rugs are a great choice for anyone looking for the safest selections. There are also rugs made from synthetic fabric that also avoid the most problematic chemicals as well. Based on your budget and interest, we can help you find a great rug for your home. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like best organic mattresses, best air purifiers, & safest non-toxic upholstery & carpet cleaners, now join us for a guide to how to buy the safest rugs available.

Disclosure: This post was medically evaluated by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN and Rebecca Harks, RN, BSN. This post also contains affiliate links. 

Most Commercial Rugs are Made From Toxic Chemicals & Synthetic Materials

Most commercial rugs you’ll find in big box stores are made with toxic materials that serve many purposes that sound great like (1) flame resistance, (2) stain resistance, (3) water resistance, (4) to make the fabric bright and colorful, (4) to keep lice and other bugs from infesting them, and (5) to keep the rug from slipping on the floor. However, in order to solve these problems, toxic chemicals and materials were typically used for these purposes and over the years independent researchers have discovered that many of these chemicals are more problematic than we originally understood.

Over time these toxic materials and chemicals can break down inside your rug to expose you. Not to mention how toxic they can be to young children and pregnant women, who are the most vulnerable to hormone disrupting chemicals within our population. Before you purchase another rug, it’s important to know what your options are and where you can find the safest rugs. Mamavation has created this investigation on rugs to answer some of the most important questions about rugs and their materials. We’ve also created a plan for you to mitigate your indoor air quality even if you have a more toxic product already.

How Chemical Applications on Rugs Can Cause Problems

Some applications of chemicals have been more detrimental to public health. Rugs may be beautiful but over time some of these toxic applications can become airborne in the air and potentially disrupt hormones. Here we some of the issues you may run into if you purchase a conventional rug.

• Synthetic fibers like Olefin (aka polypropylene) and nylon, are derived from petrochemicals. The problem with petroleum based chemicals are they are incredibly flammable on their own. And thus, chemicals must be added to these fibers in order to pass the strict flammability standards set forth by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. So lots of times, polyester and other petroleum based fabrics are treated with antimony, a toxic heavy metal, to keep the fibers from catching fire. Will you be exposed to antimony when you purchase rugs made from synthetic fabrics? We are not sure, but over time and wear & tear, the antimony will release from the fibers. (This is also a problem with mattresses.) This is not so much of an exposure problem with the backing portion of the rug as much as it is the portion that you walk on. But over time, both the backing and the exposed part of the rug will break down if they are made from synthetic materials.
• Chemical treatments for stain-resistance, water-resistance, flame resistance & fade resistance can also be added to rugs. This is where you will see PFAS “forever chemical” treatments, additional flame retardant chemicals, or other types of mystery chemicals used to keep the rugs bright and clean. Some states, such as California, are moving to restrict some of these chemicals in rugs, but this is not true for the rest of the United States. Unfortunately, most of the chemicals used to treat rugs are also endocrine disrupting chemicals that are linked to cancer, reproductive, or developmental issues. The chemical treatments used in rugs are more of a direct exposure issue because over time these chemicals are released into the air and attach themselves to dust which are breathed into the lungs. You can also be exposed when these chemical particles get on your hands and you eat without washing your hands first. If you have small children, they can also be exposed to these chemicals simply by playing on or around the rug.
• Backing materials used in area rugs are important so you don’t slip but these materials are mostly made from synthetic rubber, which can release butadiene, a classified toxic pollutant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Toxic glues and adhesives are also used in the backings are often made with formaldehyde and other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can off-gas into your indoor air creating poor indoor air quality.
• Colorful dyes can be made from toxic chemicals that can also contain heavy metals. For instance, dyed wool rugs can be treated with especially harsh chemicals to absorb those bright colors. Of particular concern are AZO dyes, which could be potential carcinogens.
• Fumigants are also something you can find as a contaminant in the rug industry. When something made from raw wool or cotton is shipped to the United States from another country, it must go through customs. Lots of times, it’s treated with fumigants (mostly methyl bromide) to kill any sort of pest species that may have hitched a ride on the boat. In order to protect agriculture, it’s a high priority to kill these pests before they escape customs and get into the environment where they do not belong. This does not mean, however, that your rug would automatically be exposed to fumigants if they took precautions by wrapping them in a heavy plastic beforehand. This would be an example of a good use of plastic to keep the rug or raw materials from being exposed to the fumigants.

Natural Materials Used in Non-Toxic Rugs

The best materials to use in rugs are natural materials. The following materials would be the most non-toxic options available:

• GOTS certified organic cotton, Egyptian cotton, or recycled cotton: The best part of cotton is most of the time, these rugs are machine washable, which make them a great choice for family rugs or underneath dining tables.
• Wool or GOTS certified wool: Wool has natural fire retardant qualities and also has a natural ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria and dust mites without any use of chemicals whatsoever. It’s also very hearty and can handle high traffic areas and is easier to clean than other natural materials.
• Hemp: Hemp rugs don’t attract dirt like other types of rugs do so they are much better for allergy and asthma sufferers. Hemp fibers are also durable which makes them perfect for high traffic areas. They are also mildew-resistent and thus can go inside or outside areas.
• Jute: Jute is a flexible fiber derived from the jute plant that typically grows in India or China. Jute rugs are sustainable and made to create small or chunky braids which can add a depth and richness to décor.
• Seagrass: Seagrass is grown in saltwater marshes thus making it naturally water resistant. Sea grass is also stain-resistant, durable, and is very sustainable because it is fast growing and easy to harvest.
• Fique Fiber: Fique is a plant from the furcraea plant, which look similar to agave plants. This fiber is familiar to most people because it’s typically woven into sacs to carry coffee and cocoa. It grows sustainably in Columbia, but also grows in Brazil and Venezuela.
• Silk: Silk rugs are exotic and beautiful, but most of the time they are combined with another natural fiber like wool or bamboo.  However, they are very expensive and not easy to clean so they belong in a low traffic area and will likely need to be professionally cleaned.
• Sisal: Sisal are natural fibers coming from the leaves of the agave plant. It’s naturally stain resistant, does not trap allergens & dust, and is static-free. It’s one of the most durable natural fibers for rugs.

Basic Non-Toxic Certifications Found in Rugs

This is not a complete list of all the certifications found in rugs, but these are the most important ones (and most popular) you will find in terms of non-toxic or natural rugs and have most of the attributes you are looking for.

• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): This is the gold standard of all the certifications in terms of avoiding toxic materials. A textile product carrying the GOTS label must contain a minimum of 70% certified organic fibres, however, a product with the label grade ‘organic’ must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres. Here is a long list of the problematic chemicals they do not allow in GOTS certified products.
  • Prohibited Synthetic backing materials
  • Prohibited flame retardants: Chlorinated flame retardants, Brominated flame retardants, Phosphate based flame retardants, Flame retardants containing antimony or antimony trioxide, & Disodium octaborate.
  • Prohibited Chlorinated benzenes and toluenes.
  • Prohibited Chlorophenols (including their salts and esters).
  • Prohibited Complexing agents and surfactants.
  • Prohibited Formaldehyde and other short-chain aldehydes.
  • Prohibited Glycol derivatives.
  • Prohibited Genetically modified organisms (GMO).
  • Prohibited Heavy metals. Prohibited Inputs (e.g. azo dyes and pigments) which release arylamines with carcinogenic properties.
  • Prohibited Inputs containing functional nanoparticles (= particles with a size < 100 nm)
  • Prohibited Inputs with halogen containing compounds
  • Prohibited Organotin compounds
  • Prohibited Plasticizers with endocrine disrupting potential like BPA & phthalates
  • Prohibited Per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
  • Prohibited Quaternary ammonium compounds
  • Prohibited Chlorinated paraffins
  • Prohibited Cyclic siloxanes (D4, D5, D6)
  • Prohibited microplastics
  • Prohibited Quinoline
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100: This standard is not as strict as GOTS, but it does have some teeth to it. For instance the following are prohibited:
  • Prohibited azo colorants
  • Prohibited pentachlorophenol
  • Prohibited per-fluorinated substances (PFAS, PFCs)
  • Prohibited cadmium
  • Prohibited lead
• GREENGUARD Gold Certification by UL: A GREENGUARD Certification means the product was tested and reviewed for low emissions of more than 360 VOCs and total chemical emissions. This does not mean, however, that these chemicals are not used in manufacturing, what it means instead is these chemicals are not emitting from the product in levels they deem appropriate by the State of California, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other reputable public health agencies. GREENGUARD does not include lead testing.
• LEED Low Emitting Materials: This certification means at least 90% of all flooring, by cost or surface area, meets the VOC emissions evaluation OR inherently non-emitting sources criteria, OR salvaged and reused materials criteria. Product has been tested according to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.2–2017 and complies with the VOC limits in Table 4-1 of the method. Additionally, the range of total VOCs after 14 days (336 hours) was measured as specified in the CDPH Standard Method v1.2 and is reported (TVOC ranges: 0.5 mg/m³ or less, between 0.5 and 5 mg/m³, or 5 mg/m³ or more). We are unsure if this method is of a higher or lower standard compared to GREENGUARD emission standards.
• GoodWeave: The GoodWeave Standard assures that goods are produced without child labor, forced labor, or bonded labor. This certification doesn’t really focus on non-toxic attributes like other standards do.

What To Do If You Don’t Want to Buy a New Rug

If you have already spent a ton of money on a rug that has toxic materials and chemicals and don’t want to purchase a new one, there are some things you can do to mitigate and manage the exposures you have. Here is what we recommend you do:

• Vacuum weekly. The chemicals inside your rug will become part of your indoor air quality when they are exposed to heat from the sun or wear and tear. When you vacuum, you remove those particles as they break down.
• Dust weekly. Weekly dusting from the top of the room to the bottom will help you cut down on exposure to your family. But make sure to start at the top of the room with the fan and then do the floors last. Dust bunnies & random dust is what you want to eliminate here because the toxic chemicals from your rug attach themselves to dust bunnies like little magnets.
• Get a good air purifier. Getting a good air purifier will help you cut down on dust in your indoor air quality. Here’s the list air purifiers we recommend that are also good for allergens. 
• Wash on cold setting only and do not put rug in the dryer. Heat is something that causes plastics and other petroleum products to leach. Therefore, warmer water is more efficient at breaking down the fibers inside your rug. So if you can wash them, please keep that to cold and never put in the dryer.
• Use natural spot treatments. Natural treatments are gentler and less likely to break down the polyester fibers and chemical treatments inside your carpet and rugs. Here’s a list of upholstery and carpet cleaners we recommend.

Mamavation’s Investigation on Eco-Friendly Rugs

Mamavation spent all of 2023 emailing different rug brands for you. We ended sending most brands about 1-5 emails depending on their response to us. Brands varied in their responses. This is what we asked them about:

• Materials used, including synthetic materials
• Use of stain-resistent chemicals
• Use of water-resistent chemicals
• Use of fire retardants, if any
• Use of fade-resistent chemicals
• Types of glues used, if any
• Use of dyes, particularly AZO dyes
• Backing material
• Spraying of pesticides on the product 
• Any Prop. 65 warnings on product
• Country of manufacturer
• Certifications
• Any additional information on Philanthropy or fair trade practices (although this didn’t rate as high as toxic free materials to us)

If brands were willing to give us information, we tried to be as specific as possible, however, not all of them were as transparent or took as much time answering our questions as we had hoped so we did our best to rank them even if we had some incomplete information. We’ve tried to make our categories as clear as possible, however, please understand that products can change without warning. We have no control over how their business changes after this study is published.

Not Our Favorite Rugs

These rugs may contain synthetic materials, fire retardants, PFAS “forever chemicals,” toxic adhesives, pesticide residue, or other materials that can be problematic. We also put brands in this section that were contacted twice and simply did not respond to any of our inquiries and thus we didn’t have enough information about their products to rate them higher.

• Allen + Roth
• Anthropologie
• Anthropologie Responsibly Made
• Arhaus
• Design Materials, Inc. (DMI)
• Flor
• Gentermanian Rugs
• Home Dynamix
• Home Depot rugs
• Jaipur Living
• Loloi Rugs II Rugs
• Loloi Rugs
• Lowe’s rugs
• Magnolia
• Momeni
• nuLoom
• Rejuvination
• Rizzy
• RugsUSA
• RugsUSA Eco-Friendly/Responsibly Sourced Collection
• Schwally Picnic Mats
• Schwally Playmats
• Serena & Lily
• Siscal Rugs
• Staples Rugs
• Thomasville Rugs (Timeless, Shag, Marketplace, Luxury, Trellis)

Better Rugs

These rugs are a happy medium. They are far safer than the “not our favorite” rugs, but may still have some issues. This category is also likely more affordable than the “best” realm. These rugs differ in quality, but most are free from PFAS “forever chemical” coatings, and fire retardants. However, most of them are made from petroleum or petroleum byproducts.

• Annie Selke/ Dash & Albert
• Avery Row (Manufacturer has OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification)
• Ben Soleimani (Goodweave Certified)
• Cali Bamboo Floors (OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified)
• Chilewich (Green Label Plus™ and GreenGuard® Certified)
• Crate & Barrel 
• Dynamic Rugs: A Walk on Fashion
• Ferm LIVING
• IKEA
• Little Bot
• Little Cabari
• Lulu & Georgia
• MINNA
• Pillowfort by Target (OKEO-TEX Standard 100, Goodweave Certified Cotton)
• Room & Board
• Ruggable
• Safavieh (OEKO-TEX Standard 100 selections made from synthetics)
• Threshold (Target Brand)(OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified)

Best Rugs

These rugs do not use fire retardants, PFAS “forever chemical” treatments, toxic dyes, or other materials that may off-gas and create an air quality problem inside the room. These rug are made with natural materials like wool, cotton, jute, hemp, etc. There are some rugs in this category that have a GOTS organic certification and we will mark those with a * very clearly.

• 4Favorites (Goodweave Certified)
• CICIL Home (Sign up for their newsletter and get 10% off your order!) 
• Cold Picnic Rugs (Goodweave Certified)
• *Coyuchi (GOTS Organic)
• Earth Weave
• EcoFiber Custom Rugs (Goodweave Certified)
• *Hook & Loom (GOTS Organic for cotton selections)
• Lakaluk (was formerly Kekoni)
• Leah Singh (Goodweave Certified)
• Loomy
• Lorena Canals Rugs
• Maison Deux (Goodweave Certified)
• Merida Studio
• Nature’s Carpet (LEED Qualified North America)
• Nico & Yeye (Cotton rugs are OEKO-TEX Certified, some Wool rugs are Woolmark Certified)
• Nordic Knots (Goodweave Certified Weavers in India)
• Obakki
• Oh! Happy Home (Goodweave Certified) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!)
• Organic & Healthy
• *Organic Weave (GOTS Organic) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!) 
• Rawganique 
• Rugs by Roo (Goodweave Certified)(Retailer: Stick with the brands we recommend here) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!) 
• Safavieh (natural selections, not all selections)(OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified)
• The Citizenry
• *TuftLove (GOTS Organic)
• *Under the Nile (GOTS Organic)
• *Willaby (GOTS Organic)

The post Safest Non-Toxic & Natural Rugs For The Whole Family — Guide appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Are you looking for non-toxic laundry detergent sheets that are safest for you and the environment? Most laundry detergent sheets market themselves as safe for the environment, however, the best laundry detergent sheets will be free from indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” in order to protect the Planet because persistent chemicals are not eco-friendly. It’s not just about plastic-free packaging, but also about not putting persistent PFAS chemicals into waterways in order to be called sustainable. This is why Mamavation sent the most popular laundry detergent sheets off to our EPA-certified lab find out once and for all which brands to recommend. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like best water purifiers to filter PFAS “forever chemicals,” best PFAS free mattresses, & best PFAS free yoga pants, now join us for our latest consumer study on PFAS & laundry detergent sheets.

Disclosure: This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that were not tested in our EPA-certified laboratory. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with most to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you! 

Mamavation’s Finds Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Laundry Detergent Sheets

Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside popular laundry detergent sheets after analyzing 4 brands on the market today. PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that have been used for many decades as stain-resistant, oil-resistant, grease-resistant, & water-resistant chemicals in commerce.

PFAS is found in many other areas of our homes with some examples being cookware, makeup, drinking water, contact lenses & dental floss. These chemicals are linked to serious health effects, which we will discuss later. Because PFAS are so toxic, Mamavation has commissioned our own scientific studies on indications of PFAS in products to make recommendations for laundry detergent sheets using PFAS-free materials. Read Mamavation’s articles (see below) on these products to find which detergent strips are organic-fluorine-free.

Here is what our EPA-certified laboratory reported back to Mamavation about laundry sheets:

• 75% of laundry detergent sheets came back with levels of organic fluorine above 10 parts per million (ppm). That’s 3 out of 4 laundry detergent sheets.
• Our EPA-certified lab found levels of organic fluorine between non-detect and 66 ppm.

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, water, and other consumer products.

Here’s a list of the health impacts associated with PFAS:

• reduction in immunity
• reduced vaccination response
• increases risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• 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

Mamavation Finds Traces of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” In Other Products

PFAS, otherwise known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl 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 released 24 consumer studies looking for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside everyday items and the food we bring into our homes. In these studies, we have learned quite a bit about where PFAS chemicals hide in everyday products. Even brands that advertise themselves as “PFAS-free” do not count the contamination that may come from manufacturing aides in processing or packaging. They basically only count “intentionally added” PFAS when they make claims, however, Mamavation’s testing has exposed quite a bit of issues in everyday products. Learn more about our other PFAS consumer studies here:

• Nut Butters
• Pasta & Tomato Sauce
• Cooking Oils
• Butter Wrappers
• Electrolytes
• Activewear
• Sports Bras
• Green Beauty Makeup
• Period Underwear
• Ketchup
• Parchment Paper
• Cupcake Liners
• Plastic-Free Straws
• Fast Food Packaging
• Mobile Phone Screen Protectors
• Bamboo Flooring
• Toilet Paper
• Tampons
• Sanitary Pads & Incontinence Pads
• Dental Floss
• Diapers & Cloth Diapers
• Baby Strollers
• Children’s Probiotics
• Kids’ Backpacks

Other Known 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 butter wrappers, parchment paper brands, plastic-free straws, paper coffee filters, and cupcake liners 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.
• Supplements: Mamavation’s lab has found some issues with products like electrolytes.
• Baby & Kids Products: Mamavation’s lab has found organic fluorine in some disposable diapers & cloth diapers, strollers, & kids backpacks. We’ve also cleared several probiotics for children through testing.

Mamavation’s Investigation of Laundry Detergent Sheets

Mamavation sent four popular laundry detergent sheets to an EPA-certified lab looking for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals.” We are now going to share with you our findings and raw data that was found by our lab.

Testing Method: 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. This is why we refer to it as “spotcheck” testing. Our reasoning is there are over 15,000 different PFAS chemicals in commerce and it’s impossible to identify all of them. In fact, it’s only possible to identify about 200+ or so in a really good commercial lab. Because you cannot test for 99% of these chemicals, 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 wash your clothes with. 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). None of these other chemicals would be considered “safe” for human health or the environment. 

Not Our Favorite Laundry Detergent Sheets

This category represents laundry detergent sheets that were sent to our EPA-certified lab and came back with over 20 ppm of organic fluorine, which is indicative of PFAS. Organic fluorine is an indicator of PFAS.

• ECOS Hypoallergenic Plant Powered Laundry Detergent Sheet Magnolia & Lily — 26 ppm organic fluorine
• Force of Nature Planet-Friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets — 66 ppm organic fluorine

Better Laundry Detergent Sheets

This category represents laundry detergent sheets that were sent to our EPA-certified lab and came back with less than 20 ppm of organic fluorine, which is indicative of PFAS. Organic fluorine is an indicator of PFAS.

• Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Eco Sheets Fresh Scent — 14 ppm organic fluorine

Best Laundry Detergent Sheets

This category represents laundry detergent sheets that were sent to our EPA-certified lab and came back with non-detect organic fluorine results. This means our lab did not detect indications of PFAS in these products.

• TRUEARTH Eco-Strips Laundry Detergent Sheet Ultra Concentrated Fragrance free — non-detect organic fluorine

Please note that some ingredients inside TRUEARTH are not perfect, however, overall it’s safer than PFAS if you want to use laundry detergent sheets to lessen the amount of plastic you use daily. If you would like our other recommendations of laundry detergents with better ingredients please see our investigation here. However, please note that we have not tested all the laundry detergents in this post yet with our lab.

If you are looking for other investigations on cleaning products these additional investigations may be of use to you:

• All-Purpose Cleaners
• Hardwood Floor Cleaners & Other Cleaners
• Safe Disinfectants 
• Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners
• Window & Glass Cleaners
• Laundry Detergent
• Fabric Softeners & Dryer Sheets
• Dish Soap
• Dishwasher Detergents
• Rinse Aids

The post Safest Laundry Detergent Sheets Tested for Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” appeared first on MAMAVATION.

What are the safest condoms and lubricants without indications of PFAS “forever chemicals?” This was the question Mamavation members asked us because they were concerned about these products for their own personal health, but also for the young adults & teenagers in their lives. We did not know the answer to these questions because no one has studied the impacts of PFAS in this category of reproductive health products yet, so we decided to start testing. Would you like some guidance on the safest condoms and lubricants? You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you safest makeup sans PFAS, safest contact lenses, best water purifiers to filter PFAS, and best organic mattresses, now join us for a consumer study on condoms & lubricants with raw laboratory results on PFAS “forever chemical” indicators.

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Scientific reviews were performed by (1) Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, (2) Linda S. Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina, & Yale University, & (3) Scott Belcher, Associate Professor with the Center for Environmental & Health Effects of PFAS at North Carolina State University. This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with some to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!  

Mamavation’s Lab Finds Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” In Condoms & Lubricants

Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” after analyzing 29 popular condoms & lubricants on the market today. PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that have been used for many decades as stain-resistant, oil-resistant, grease-resistant, & water-resistant chemicals in commerce. From our vantage point, it looks as if the condom & lubricant industry may have some contamination issues from manufacturing, which is commonplace in other industries.

PFAS is found in many other areas of our homes with some examples being cookware, makeup, drinking water, contact lenses & dental floss. These chemicals are linked to serious health effects, which we will discuss later. Because PFAS are so toxic, Mamavation has commissioned our own scientific studies on indications of PFAS in products to make recommendations for condoms & lubricants using PFAS-free materials. Read Mamavation’s articles on these products to find which brands are organic-fluorine-free.

For this consumer study, Mamavation sent 25 condoms & 4 lubricants from 19 brands to an EPA-certified laboratory looking for indications of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals.”  Here’s what we found:

• 14% of total condom & lubricants tested had indications of PFAS “forever chemicals.” 4 detections from 29 reproductive health products (condoms & lubricants) had organic fluorine above 10 parts per million (ppm) according to our lab,
• Broken down by category, 12% of condoms tested had indications of PFAS “forever chemicals.” Specifically, 3 out of 25 condoms had detectable levels of organic fluorine above 10 ppm.
• 25% of lubricants had indications of PFAS “forever chemicals.” Specifically, 1 out of 4 lubricants had detectable levels of organic fluorine above 10 ppm.
• Ranges of organic fluorine, a marker of PFAS, were from 13 ppm to 68 ppm. 

Linda Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, and Adjunct Professor at both University of North Carolina, & Yale University had this to say: “Because condoms are an exposure to the most sensitive areas on the human body for both men and women, I would strongly recommend the industry identify and remove these chemicals immediately. The vagina and penis are incredibly vascular areas and dermal exposure to these areas are often higher than other places of the body.”

PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Have Problematic Health Effects

PFAS “forever chemicals” are problematic for human health and the environment. They are considered ubiquitous, persistent, and toxic. In fact, many of these PFAS chemicals can last for years or decades in our bodies. The health effects from exposure to PFAS inside the vagina and penis areas are unknown. However, we do know that these are some of the most vulnerable areas of the human body to the effects of toxic chemicals like PFAS in the environment. Therefore, it’s imperative to reduce the amount of PFAS you are exposed to from food, water, and consumer products like condoms and lubricants. Mamavation is dedicated to helping you do that when you are shopping for condoms and lubricants.

Here are some of the health effects of different PFAS “forever chemicals:”

• Reduction in immunity
• Reduced vaccination response
• Increased risk of allergies & asthma in young children
• Affected growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
• Increase cholesterol levels
• Metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Lowered a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
• Lowered male fertility
• Increased risk of kidney & testicular cancers
• Causes endocrine disruption
• Disrupted normal thyroid function
• Increases risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children 

It’s also very clear based on biomonitoring evidence from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that PFAS are in all Americans. Therefore, these impacts can harm most Americans.

Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University had this to say: “We live in a highly chemicalized world where for 30 years environmental health scientists have been finding that a class of chemicals, called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can impact living things adversely at trace exposures at all stages of life. It makes sense chemically that the chemicals in condoms will be absorbed into male and female reproductive tissues such as to perhaps be present in sperm and eggs at the time of fertilization. I applaud those manufacturers of condoms who are upfront about what chemicals are in their products, both the plastics and the lubricants. But much too little is known about the endocrine activities of the disclosed chemicals. While the purpose of condoms is to block fertilization, it is chemically certain that the female reproductive tract will be contaminated by some of the chemicals in condoms. Therefore, we must expand safety testing to assess these possibilities.”

Latex Gloves Are Known to Possibly Contain PFAS “Forever Chemicals” & Other Contamination Issues

When we started looking into the possibilities of how latex condoms could become contaminated with PFAS, we immediately found information about latex gloves and the techniques of proper PFAS sampling. Several university sites have instructions on how to sample PFAS within the community. In fact, right here in the instructions from Michigan PFAS Action Response Team with the State of Michigan is instructions on how to sample PFAS while avoiding contamination. They specifically say that latex gloves are known to contain PFAS. It’s recommended that you use powderless nitrile gloves instead if you want to avoid cross contamination. In our study, we were not able to interview any condom manufacturers to ascertain if latex condoms were similar to latex gloves in that reguard, but there is always this possibility.

Other ways that PFAS may be finding their way into condoms may be from manufacturing equipment, processing aides, or the packaging itself, which we did not test.

• Packaging has been quite a problem in some of our other recent studies like green beauty makeup, butter wrappers, fast food wrappers, parchment paper, & cupcake liners.
• Additional manufacturing issues could also be a problem as well. When it comes to personal care products like toilet paper, green beauty makeup, period underwear, tampons, sanitary pads, and food, there were also problems with polytetrafluoroethylene (aka PTFE, a type of PFAS) coming from fluorinated plastic, manufacturing aides, and non-stick coatings on equipment.

Any of these possibilities could also be a reason why our laboratory found indicators of PFAS within condoms and lubricants. Ultimately, it will be up to the brands to do their own testing for total organic fluorine (TOF), identifying the problem, and removing it from the supply chain.

Other Categories of Products Mamavation Has Tested for Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

Before we launch into the raw data from our lab, we wanted to remind you about all the other studies we have done on indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside the food and consumer products you may bring inside your home. Each one of these studies were done in a similar fashion as this study with brands sent independently to the lab and raw data of those labs at the bottom of the post.

• Soft Contact Lenses
• Green Beauty Makeup
• Lip Balm
• Dental Floss
• Toilet Paper
• Period Underwear
• Tampons
• Sanitary Pads, Pantiliners, & Incontinence Pads
• Powdered Electrolytes
• Butter Wrappers
• Pasta & Tomato Sauces
• Nut Butters (Peanut butter, etc.)
• Cooking Oils (olive oil, almond oil, canola oil, etc)
• Ketchup
• Activewear (Yoga Pants)
• Sports Bras
• Parchment Paper
• Cupcake Liners
• Plastic-Free Straws
• Fast Food Packaging
• Children’s Probiotics
• Kids’ Backpacks
• Baby Strollers

Mamavation’s Investigation of Condoms & Lubricants

Condoms & lubricants were purchased between February and August of 2023. For this consumer study, all products were purchased by Mamavation either at Walmart or from Amazon. Each product was recorded in our database and then sent directly to the lab within it’s original packaging.

Testing: Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory uses marker testing to identify the potential presence of PFAS “forever chemicals” in condoms & lubricants. Organic fluorine is a marker for PFAS because all PFAS chemicals are carbon-based compounds that contain fluorine. The specific lab method used to test for total fluorine was the Determination of Total Fluorine by Oxygen Flask Combustion and Ion-Selective Electrode. If total fluorine was observed at a detection level of 10 ppm or greater, the lab did the Determination of free Fluoride Ion in the product by Ion-Selective Electrode and then subtracted that from the Total Fluorine to determine the amount of organic fluorine. 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), which are all also PFAS.  None of which you want around your food, personal care products, or condoms & lubricants!

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 condoms & lubricants. 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 condoms & lubricants, including PTFE. Therefore, this method of testing serves as a good ‘spot-check’ of consumer products.”

Rankings: Ranking condoms was rather difficult. We spent many months trying to get the full ingredients and materials from most of the brands to no avail. So instead of ranking the condoms via ingredients & materials for the “better” and “best” categories, we ranked them via 100% transparency instead. Our reasoning was because very few of these brands were willing to disclose 100% of the ingredients and materials, and even the ones that did disclose, we had some reservations about the ingredients used. We are not aware of studies that look at these combinations of ingredients to see if they have the possibility to disrupt hormones and impact sensitive reproductive organs and reproduction in general. Do they disrupt hormones with these combinations? We were not sure. Therefore, we gave our highest rank to the brands that disclosed 100% of their ingredients instead. We would caution you to not assume that the other brands that did not disclose have ingredients that were any better. Instead, we believe that the safest ingredients are probably residing with the brands that were the most transparent in general. As for the lubricants, we ranked them based on ingredients and the avoidance of hormone disrupting chemicals.

Not Our Favorite Condoms & Lubricants

These condoms & lubricants were sent to an EPA-certified laboratory and the lab found detectable total organic fluorine (TOF), which indicates the possibility of containing PFAS “forever chemicals” inside.

Not Our Favorite Condoms

• Trojan Ultra Thin Condoms for Ultra Sensitivity — 13 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine, 2nd product non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: not 100% transparent)
• Union Standard Ultra Thin Lubricated Male Latex Condoms — 25 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine, 2nd product tested 68 parts per million (ppm) organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: limited transparency, Natural latex, cornstarch powder, premium medical-grade silicone lubricant.)

Not Our Favorite Lubricants

• KY Jelly Classic Water-Based Personal Lubricant — 13 ppm organic fluorine. (Ingredients: Water, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Benzoic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide)

Better Condoms & Lubricants

Better Condoms

According to our lab, this category did not have detectable organic fluorine. When we did our due diligence on ingredients and materials and reached out to them asking for them to disclose ingredients and materials. Unfortunately, these brands were not 100% transparent with what ingredients and materials they were using either on their website or when they were asked. In other words, we don’t know what is inside these products.

• Durex Real Feel Non-Latex Regular Fit Polyisoprene Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: not 100% transparent)
• Durex Air Regular Fit Ultra Thin Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: not 100% transparent)
• Kimono Micro Thin Barely There Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine (Ingredients & Materials: limited transparency, natural rubber latex, they are lubricated with medical grade silicone oil, (polydimethylsiloxane))
• KY Me & You Condoms Extra Lubricated — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: limited transparency, natural rubber latex condom with silicone based lubricant)
• LELO HEX Original Re-engineered Latex Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: not 100% transparent)
• Lifestyles Ultra Sensitive Natural Rubber Latex Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: not 100% transparent)
• Loveability Ultra Thin Lubricated Natural Latex Condoms & Tin — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: limited transparency, Natural rubber latex (80.17%) Hypo-allergenic silicone oil (18.12%) Corn starch & magnesium carbonate powder (1.71%))
• Lovense Realsize Condom Measured for Pleasure — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: limited transparency, Natural latex, silicone lubricant)
• O Well Natural Premium Ultra Thin Latex Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: not 100% transparent)
• SKYN Feel Everything Elite Ultra Thin & Ultra Soft — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: limited transparency, Polyisoprene Lubricated Condoms are made with SKYNFEEL® material, a non-latex material)
• Trojan Bareskin Get 50% Thinner Latex Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: not 100% transparent)
• Trojan Ecstasy Ultra Ribbed “Feels like Nothing’s there!” Latex condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: not 100% transparent)
• Trojan ENZ Classic Reservoir End Lubricated Latex Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: not 100% transparent)
• Trojan Her Pleasure Enhanced Stimulation for Her Latex Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: 100% transparent)
• Trojan Magnum Large Size Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: not 100% transparent)
• Trojan Naturallamb Luxury Condoms Real Skin-to-Skin — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: not 100% transparent)
• Trojan Ultra Ribbed Designed for Ultra Stimulation Latex Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: not 100% transparent)
• Wink Closer EveryDay 0.04 THIN Lubricated Male Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: limited transparency, natural latex rubber and have a Silicone/Dimethicone-based lubricant)

Better Lubricants

These lubricants did not contain any total organic fluorine according to our lab. However, they do contain some ingredients that have the possibility of disrupting hormones. Therefore, they were not put in the “best” category.

• Astroglide Water-Based Long Lasting Not sticky Personal Lubricant — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients: Purified Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7)
• Signature Care (Walmart) Personal Lubricating Jelly — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Methylparaben, Glucono Delta Lactone, Sodium Hydroxide.)

Best Condoms & Lubricants

Best Condoms

According to our lab, this category did not have detectable total organic fluorine (TOF). When we did our investigation on what ingredients and materials they were using, we either found them easily on their website or they gave it to us when we emailed them. This list consists of brands that gave us the vast majority of the chemicals and materials present inside their products.

• • Glyde Ultra Standard Fit Ultra Thin Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: Non-GMO natural rubber latex, Ammonia, Potassium Oleate, Potassium Hydroxide, Emulgin B2 / Vulcastab LW, Vultamol, Sulphur, Zinc Oxide, Irganox 1330 Bentonite Clay, Zinc dibutyl dithiocarbamate, Silicone lubricant, Calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate and oat powders.)
  • P.S. Good Times Exceptionally Thin Latex Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: Latex, zinc oxide (for rubber), zinc oxide (for rubber), zinc salt of di-n-buthyldithio carbamate, zinc diethyl dithiocarbamate, potassium hydroxide, sodium salt of naphthalene sulphonic acid, phenol 4-methyl-reaction products dicyclopentadiene and isobutylene, dimethylpoly siloxane, corn starch, precipitated silica.)
  • Sustain Natural Ultra Thin Lubricated Latex Condoms — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients & Materials: Natural Latex, Ammonia, Potassium Oleate, Potassium Hydroxide, Emulgin B2/Vulcastab, LWVultamol, Sulphur, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Di butyl Di thio Carbamate, Irganox 1330, Bentonite Clay, Silicone Lubricant, Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Carbonate Powders)

Best Lubricant

This category represents products that did not have total organic fluorine (TOF) according to our lab. We also prefer their ingredients to the other brands we tested because they do not contain chemicals that are linked to hormone disruption.

• Good Clean Love Almost Naked Personal Lubricant — non-detect organic fluorine. (Ingredients: Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Xanthan Gum, Agar, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, & Natural Flavor)(Recent update 2/7/24: This product has a Prop.65 warning for “non-decolorized whole leaf extract” which is a natural part of the aloe vera plant that does not have the aloin filtered out. Studies on rats found that when this chemical is added to water and ingested large intestinal tumors formed. It seems that dermal contact is not problematic. Therefore, we do not recommend ingesting this product out of precaution.)

The post Condoms & Lubricants Tested For Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” — Guide appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Do your “band-aids” or bandages have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside the absorbent pad or adhesive flaps? This is exactly what the Mamavation community asked us and we had no idea, so we started testing different bandage products to find out. Mamavation sent several types of bandages off to an EPA-certified lab to ascertain whether consumers were being exposed to PFAS when they were bandaging up open wounds. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like salt products safe from heavy metals, safest cookware, and best water purification systems to get out PFAS “forever chemicals,” now join us for our latest consumer study on bandages for wound care.

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Scientific reviews were performed by (1) Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, & (2) Linda S. Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar at Residence at Duke University, North Carolina University, & Yale University. This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. Affiliate links from this post are mostly to Amazon where Mamavation earns a small portion of that sale. Mamavation uses affiliate revenue and ad revenue from Mamavation.com to pay for testing and fund other consumer investigations in the future. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you for supporting Mamavation! 

Mamavation Laboratory Finds Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Popular Bandage Brands like “Band-Aid”

Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” after analyzing popular bandages on the market today. PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that have been used for many decades as stain-resistant, oil-resistant, grease-resistant, & water-resistant chemicals in commerce. From our vantage point, it looks as if some brands in the bandage industry are using PFAS for their waterproof qualities.

PFAS are found in many other areas of our homes with some examples being cookware, makeup, drinking water, contact lenses & dental floss. These chemicals are linked to serious health effects, which we will discuss later. Because PFAS are so toxic, Mamavation has commissioned our own scientific studies on indications of PFAS in products to make recommendations for bandages using PFAS-free materials. Read Mamavation’s articles (see below) on these products to find which brands are organic-fluorine-free.

For this consumer study, Mamavation sent 40 bandages from 18 brands to an EPA-certified laboratory looking for indications of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals.”  Here’s what we found:

• 65% of total bandages tested had indications of PFAS “forever chemicals.” 26 detections out of 40 bandages tested had organic fluorine above 10 parts per million (ppm) according to our lab,
• 63% of bandages marketed to People of Color with black & brown skin tones had indications of PFAS “forever chemicals.” That’s 10 detections out of 16 bandages tested had organic fluorine above 10 ppm according to our lab.
• Ranges of organic fluorine, a marker for PFAS, were from 11 ppm to 328 ppm. 

Linda Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, and Adjunct Professor at both University of North Carolina, & Yale University had this to say: “Because bandages are placed upon open wounds, it’s troubling to learn that they may be also exposing children and adults to PFAS. It’s obvious from the data that PFAS are not needed for wound care, so it’s important that the industry remove their presence to protect the public from PFAS and opt instead for PFAS-free materials.”

PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Have Problematic Health Effects

PFAS “forever chemicals” are problematic for human health and the environment. They are considered ubiquitous, persistent, and toxic. In fact, many of these PFAS chemicals can last for years or decades in our bodies. The health effects from exposure to PFAS on open wounds are unknown, but this would be a unique way for them to easily get into our bodies. It’s also unknown what happens when PFAS get absorbed into our tissues and travels around in our bodies. However, we do know that these areas can be vulnerable to toxic chemicals like PFAS “forever chemicals” in general. Therefore, it’s imperative to reduce the amount of PFAS you are exposed to from food, water, and consumer products like bandages. Mamavation is dedicated to helping you do that when you are shopping for bandages.

Here are some of the health effects associated with different PFAS “forever chemicals:”

• Reduction in immunity
• Reduced vaccination response
• Increased risk of allergies & asthma in young children
• Affected growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
• Increase cholesterol levels
• Metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Lowered a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
• Lowered male fertility
• Increased risk of kidney & testicular cancers
• Causes endocrine disruption
• Disrupted normal thyroid function
• Increases risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children 

It’s also very clear based on biomonitoring evidence from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that PFAS are in all Americans. Therefore, these exposures can harm most Americans.

How Are PFAS Finding Their Way Into Bandages?

An adhesive bandage is typically a flexible sheet of material with an absorbent pad in the middle and adhesive attached to sides that can be affixed on the skin to catch blood & serum and prevent anything from seeping into an open wound. The absorbent pad is placed against the open wound and the overlapping edges stick to the skin. They are generally sealed in a package and come in a variety of sizes and shapes.

We already know that the medical industry has long been using PFAS “forever chemicals” in products like “catheters, stents, and needles, as well as transdermal patches that are used for medicine delivery” according to 3M. 3M has announced they will no longer be in the PFAS business as of the end of 2025. We were able to confirm this by testing 3M medical tape. Our EPA-certified laboratory informed us their product was non-detect for PFAS indicators.

According to the Green Science Policy Institute, adhesives themselves sometimes do contain PFAS to increase wettability and penetration of the substrate, resulting in a stronger bond. Mamavation may have confirmed this by finding indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” in the adhesive sticky portion of several bandages. We were not able to separate the adhesive from the bandage in the lab, but we were able to find that the flaps had PFAS indicators present. We also found indications of PFAS inside the absorbent pads as well. We noticed that many transdermal patches use the same type of absorbent pad as we found in these popular bandages, so we believe this may be a similar type of product as used in bandages and thus made in a similar way. However, it’s impossible to know if your bandage has PFAS inside by just looking at them. This is why it was so important for us to test.

Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University had this to say: “It is discouraging to find yet another important product space, bandaids or bandages, containing PFAS compounds where transfers into users are conceivable. PFAS compounds deserve the “forever chemicals” name, such that when PFAS-containing bandaids and bandages are discarded post-use, the final resting places will be contaminated into the indefinite future. This is another Mamavation study serving beautifully to guide moms toward reducing PFAS exposures for their families and the wider world.”

Other Known 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 product categories 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 butter wrappers, parchment paper brands, plastic-free straws, paper coffee filters, and cupcake liners 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 detected disturbingly high quantities of PFAS 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 shows 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, airports, and fire-training stations. If you live close to a military base; airport, or fire-training station, 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 where drinking water is 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.
• Supplements: Mamavation’s lab has found some issues with products like electrolytes.
• Baby & Kids Products: Mamavation’s lab has found organic fluorine in some disposable diapers & cloth diapers, strollers, & kids backpacks. Good news! We did not find indications of PFAS in several probiotics for children through testing.

Other Categories of Products Mamavation Has Tested for Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

Before we launch into the raw data from our lab, we wanted to remind you about all the other studies we have done on indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside the food and consumer products you may bring into your home. Each one of these studies were performed in a similar fashion as this study with brands sent independently to the lab and the raw data of those labs presented at the bottom of the post.

• Soft Contact Lenses
• Green Beauty Makeup
• Lip Balm
• Deodorants
• Condoms & Lubricants
• Dental Floss
• Toilet Paper
• Period Underwear
• Tampons
• Sanitary Pads, Pantiliners, & Incontinence Pads
• Powdered Electrolytes
• Butter Wrappers
• Pasta & Tomato Sauces
• Nut Butters (Peanut butter, etc.)
• Cooking Oils (olive oil, almond oil, canola oil, etc)
• Ketchup
• Activewear (Yoga Pants)
• Sports Bras
• Parchment Paper
• Cupcake Liners
• Plastic-Free Straws
• Fast Food Packaging
• Children’s Probiotics
• Kids’ Backpacks
• Baby Strollers

Mamavation’s Investigation of Bandages & Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

Bandages were purchased & donated from community members between November 2022 and February 2024 from either Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid, Target, or from Amazon. A few additional products were donated by the brands themselves, but unfortunately, they all had detections so we made sure to include them as well. Each product was recorded in our database and then sent directly to the lab within its original packaging. For most products we were able to test both the absorbent pad and adhesive flaps, but close to the end we ran out of funds and were only able to test one part if there was a detection. However, any brand that was categorized as “best” had both parts tested and confirmed as non-detect. We also included one medical tape product.

Testing: Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory uses marker testing to identify the potential presence of PFAS “forever chemicals” in bandages. Organic fluorine is a marker for PFAS because all PFAS chemicals are carbon-based compounds that contain fluorine. The specific lab method used to test for total fluorine was the Determination of Total Fluorine by Oxygen Flask Combustion and Ion-Selective Electrode. If total fluorine was observed at a detection level of 10 ppm or greater, the lab did the Determination of free Fluoride Ion in the product by Ion-Selective Electrode and then subtracted that from the Total Fluorine to determine the amount of organic fluorine. 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), which are all also PFAS.  None of which you want around your food, or personal care products like bandages!

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 bandages. 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 bandages, including PTFE. Therefore, this method of testing serves as a good ‘spot-check’ of consumer products.”

Raw Data From Mamavation’s Bandage Consumer Study

Not Our Favorite Bandages

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory and organic fluorine was detected above 100 ppm in either the absorbent pad or the adhesive flaps. * are all brands selling products marketed to People of Color with black and brown skin tones.

• Band-Aid Flexible Fabric Comfortable Protection Bandages (older sample that was likely 7-8 years old and not available in stores anymore) — 188 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pad. (Make note if you have older Band-Aids in your cabinet.)
• *Band-Aid OURTONE Flexible Fabric BR45 Bandages — 262 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pad.
• *Band-Aid OURTONE Flexible Fabric BR55 Bandages — 250 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pad.
• *Band-Aid OURTONE Flexible Fabric BR65 Bandages — 260 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pads and 374 ppm on the sticky flaps. 2nd product tested had 169 ppm on the absorbent pad.
• Care Science Antibacterial Flexible Fabric Adhesive Bandages — 328 ppm organic fluorine on the sticky flaps and non-detect organic fluorine on the absorbent pad.
• Curad Assorted Bandaids 4-Sided Seal — 140 ppm organic fluorine on the sticky flaps and non-detect on the absorbent pad.
• *CVS Health C60 Flexible Fabric Antibacterial Bandages — 201 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pad.
• *CVS Health C70 Flexible Fabric Sterile Bandages — 124 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pad and 272 ppm on the sticky flaps. 2nd product tested had 156 ppm organic fluorine in the absorbent pad.
• *CVS Health C80 Flexible Fabric Antibacterial Bandages — 128 ppm organic fluorine in the absorbent pad.
• Equate (Walmart) Flexible Fabric Bandages Antibacterial — 118 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pad and 165 ppm on the sticky flaps.
• *Equate (Walmart) SKIN TONE Antibacterial Bandages Flexible Fabric (darkest shade) — 197 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pad and 251 ppm on the sticky flaps. 2nd product tested was 183 ppm on the absorbent pad.
• *Equate (Walmart) SKIN TONE Antibacterial Bandages Flexible Fabric (medium to dark shade) — 112 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pad. (Matches black and brown skin tones)
• *Equate (Walmart) SKIN TONE Antibacterial Bandages Flexible Fabric (medium to light shade) — 120 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pad. (Matches black and brown skin tones)
• First Honey Manuka Bandages — 157 ppm organic fluorine on the sticky flaps and non-detect on the absorbent pad.
• Rite Aid First Aid Advanced Antibacterial Fabric Adhesive Bandages — 101 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pad and 181 parts per million (ppm) in the sticky flaps.
• Solimo (Amazon Brand) Flexible Fabric Adhesive Bandages — 104 ppm organic fluorine on the sticky flaps and non-detect on the absorbent pad.
• UP & UP (Target) Flexible Fabric Bandages — 256 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pad and 253 parts per million (ppm) on the sticky flaps.

Better Bandages

These bandages had less than 100 parts per million (ppm) of organic fluorine detected in either the absorbent pad or the adhesive flaps. * are all brands selling products marketed to People of Color with black and brown skin tones.

• Band-Aid Water Block Tough-Strips Waterproof Adhesive Bandages — 13 ppm organic fluorine in the sticky flaps and non-detect in the absorbent pad.
• *Browndages Bandages for Brown Skin All One Size — 14 ppm on the absorbent pad.
• CVS Health Gentle Fabric Hypoallergenic Bandages Large — 10 ppm organic fluorine on the absorbent pad and non-detect results on the sticky flaps.
• CVS Health Waterproof Adhesive Bandages — 20 ppm organic fluorine on the sticky flaps and non-detect on the absorbent pad.
• CVS Health Waterproof Heavy Duty Antibacterial Bandages — 11 ppm on the absorbent pad and non-detect on the sticky flaps.
• Dealmed Flexible Fabric Bandages — 99 ppm organic fluorine on the sticky flaps and non-detect on the absorbent pad.
• Dry See Thin Film Waterproof Dressing Pad with Wetness Indicator 001 2.75×2.5 — 11 ppm organic fluorine on absorbent pad
• Dry See Thin Film Waterproof Dressing Pad with Wetness Indicator 007 larger one 4.6×4 — 12 ppm organic fluorine on absorbent pad
• Rite Aid Smart-Flex Sterile Bandages — 11 ppm in the absorbent pad and non-detect in the sticky flaps.

Best Bandages

These bandages had NO detections of organic fluorine in both their absorbent pads and adhesive flaps. The detection limit of this testing was 10 ppm. * are all brands selling products marketed to People of Color with black and brown skin tones.

• 3M Micropore Surgical/Medical Tape — non-detect organic fluorine
• All Terrain Neon Kids Bandages — non-detect organic fluorine in the absorbent pad and sticky flaps of bandage.
• Band-Aid Hello Kitty Assorted Adhesive Bandages — non-detect organic fluorine in the absorbent pad and sticky flaps of bandage.
• CVS Sterile Manuka Honey Sports Bandages — non-detect organic fluorine in the absorbent pad and sticky flaps of bandage.
• FEBU Organic Bamboo Strip Bandages — non-detect organic fluorine on both absorbent pad and sticky flaps of bandages.
• Patch Bamboo Bandages for Kids with Coconut Oil — non-detect organic fluorine on both absorbent pad and sticky flaps of bandages. (Use discount code “mamavation” for 10% off products!) 
• *TRU COLOUR Skin Tone Bandages Diversity in Healing (olive) — non-detect organic fluorine in the absorbent pad, non-detect organic fluorine in sticky flaps of bandage.
• *TRU COLOUR Skin Tone Bandages Diversity in Healing (dark brown) — non-detect organic fluorine in the absorbent pad, non-detect organic fluorine in sticky flaps of bandage.
• *TRU COLOUR Skin Tone Bandages Diversity in Healing (brown black) — non-detect organic fluorine in the absorbent pad, non-detect organic fluorine in sticky flaps of bandage.
• *Trutone Skin Tone Adhesive Bandages Dark Brown — non-detect organic fluorine in the absorbent pad, non-detect organic fluorine in sticky flaps of bandage.
• *Trutone Skin Tone Adhesive Bandages Brown — non-detect organic fluorine in the absorbent pad, non-detect organic fluorine in sticky flaps of bandage.
• *Trutone Skin Tone Adhesive Bandages Olive — non-detect organic fluorine in the absorbent pad, non-detect organic fluorine in sticky flaps of bandage.
• Welly Good Vibes Bravery Badges — non-detect organic fluorine on both absorbent pad and sticky flaps of bandages.
• Welly Waterproof Bravery Assorted Waterproof Bandages — non-detect organic fluorine on both absorbent pad and sticky flaps of bandages.

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