What's really in your toilet paper?
Most people never think about it. But mainstream toilet paper brands go through a heavy industrial process — and several chemicals end up in the final product that never get listed on the packaging.
It happens during manufacturing
The raw material isn't the problem. It's what happens to it at the factory — steps that most brands never talk about.
Pulping chemical inputs
Raw wood pulp is broken down using industrial processing aids and softening agents. Some manufacturers use fluorinated (PFAS-based) compounds at this stage to help the fibers break down more efficiently — and traces remain in the final product.
Bleaching creates dioxins
To make paper bright white, manufacturers bleach with chlorine or chlorine dioxide. This produces dioxins and furans as toxic byproducts — persistent chemicals classified as known carcinogens by the WHO that accumulate in body fat with repeated exposure.
Strengthening formaldehyde added
Formaldehyde is added as a wet-strength agent to keep the paper from falling apart when wet. A 2010 study identified it as a likely source of chronic vulvar irritation. It is classified as a known human carcinogen.
Softening & finishing more additives
Lotions, fragrances, and softening agents are applied to improve feel. Many of these are not disclosed publicly. Some contain additional PFAS compounds or preservatives linked to skin irritation and hormonal disruption.
Our approach unbleached · no chlorine · no formaldehyde
Our natural bamboo product skips bleaching entirely — you can see it in the color. No chlorine. No formaldehyde. We chose bamboo because it requires far less chemical processing than conventional wood pulp, and we chose the unbleached version specifically to avoid the step that creates the most toxic byproducts.
What the research found
Based on independent EPA-certified lab testing (Mamavation, 2023–2024) and a peer-reviewed University of Florida study (2023).
| Brand | PFAS-free | Chlorine-free | Dioxin-free | Formaldehyde-free | Tree-free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charmin Ultra Soft | ✕ 13 ppm | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Quilted Northern | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Angel Soft | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Cottonelle | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Scott 1000 | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Kirkland (Costco) | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
Note: "Not detected" for PFAS refers to organic fluorine testing on those specific product samples. Chlorine bleaching and resulting dioxin production applies broadly to all conventional white toilet paper. Formaldehyde presence is based on industry-wide peer-reviewed studies. HTC's "target: none" reflects our manufacturing choices and is pending independent third-party verification.
Why it matters for your health
These aren't obscure concerns. Each of these chemicals has a documented health impact — and you're exposed every single day.
PFAS — forever chemicals
PFAS never break down in the body or the environment — that's why they're called "forever chemicals." Linked to cancer, reduced fertility, developmental delays in children, and reduced effectiveness of vaccines. The EPA has no safe level of exposure.
Chlorine bleaching
Used to make paper bright white. Every mainstream brand does this. The process creates dioxins as a toxic byproduct — chemicals that accumulate in body fat and are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer in humans) by the World Health Organization.
Dioxins
Not intentionally added — created as a byproduct of the bleaching process. Once in the body, they accumulate in fat tissue and are extremely slow to clear. Long-term exposure is linked to cancer, immune system damage, and hormonal disruption.
Formaldehyde
Added intentionally to improve wet-strength — so the paper doesn't fall apart. A known human carcinogen. Research has linked it to chronic vulvar irritation and skin sensitization. It's the same chemical used in embalming fluid.
BPA & BPS
Bisphenols leach into recycled toilet paper from thermal receipt paper that ends up in recycled pulp. They're endocrine disruptors — meaning they interfere with your body's hormone system. Linked to reproductive problems, early puberty, and breast cancer.
Fragrance & preservatives
Added to scented products, "fresh" varieties, and some lotion-infused brands. "Fragrance" on a label can represent dozens of undisclosed chemicals. Some are allergens, some are known irritants, and some contain phthalates — another class of hormone disruptors.
You deserve to know what's in it.
Hawaiʻi Tissue Company was built on the belief that a daily essential shouldn't come with a chemical price tag. Natural bamboo. Unbleached. No chlorine. No formaldehyde. Made for Hawaiʻi, by Hawaiʻi.
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