How TomboyX Avoids PFAS and Other Chemicals
There’s been news lately about PFAS in period underwear, and we know it sounds kinda scary. You may even be wondering if your recently purchased leakproof or period underwear is safe to put on or not. So we want to take some time to be transparent about the steps we take to ensure the highest quality and safety standards are met for our products here at TomboyX.
What Are PFAS?
Although the exact definition varies, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is a term commonly used to refer to a large number of synthetic chemicals that have carbon and fluorine bonds. PFAS are used in a wide array of commercial and industrial products, and they have historically been used in the textile and apparel industry as a stain or water repellent. The two most commonly discussed PFAS are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), but according to the United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are over twelve thousand different PFAS out there. Research is still ongoing to identify, test and understand the potential human and environmental health impacts of these substances.
We do Not add PFAS to our Period Underwear, period.
Here at TomboyX, we do not intentionally add PFAS to our leakproof period underwear, or any of our other products, for that matter. However, PFAS are now so widely dispersed in the environment that even water has low levels that, unfortunately, cannot be avoided.
How TomboyX Ensures our Products are Safe
Even though trace amounts of PFAS are unavoidable, we’ve built a robust system to avoid them. In fact, we’ve been working to avoid chemicals in our products for years.
Who we Work With
We use certified mills, fabrics and factories with the highest quality and safety standards.
Almost all of our fabrics are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, including the fabric used in our Leak proof Period Underwear. This certification is an internationally recognized, highly regarded certification indicating that our materials have been tested for substances harmful to humans. It stands for customer confidence and high product safety.
The mill that makes the fabric for our First Line Leakproof Period Underwear is one of the largest mills in China that supplies fabrics for intimates and activewear for globally recognized brands. This mill has received the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification, which is an indicator of their commitment to high and consistent quality standards.
Quality Assurance
Even though we’re working with top tier partners, out of an abundance of caution, we sent our products out to a third-party lab to test for the kinds of PFAS relevant to fabric production back in 2020, and passed with flying colors. Here’s a link to those test results, in case you’re curious.
Still nervous about chemicals in your underwear? We got you.
If you’re really trying to avoid as many chemicals as possible, we have a new product coming soon we think you’ll love. In the next few months, we’ll be releasing a new 100% organic cotton period underwear that has no finishes or bonding at all.
We know there’s a lot to keep track of when it comes to safety, health and sustainability, but we hope this information helps put your mind at ease about anything you’ve purchased from TomboyX.
If you’d like to talk more, you can always contact us about this or any other topics at info@tomboyx.com.