Experts Say Toilet Paper Poses No Major Health Risk Despite Chemical Concerns
Health experts weigh in on viral claims about toilet paper ingredients, saying trace chemicals like PFAS and BPA are unlikely to cause harm, though they advise choosing unscented products.
Health-conscious influencers have turned toilet paper into a trending topic, with videos warning about supposedly harmful ingredients in a product used daily by millions. Experts who spoke to TIME say most of those concerns are overblown, but they also acknowledge the subject deserves closer study.
A 2023 study detected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” in 21 toilet paper brands worldwide. PFAS exposure has been linked to reproductive issues, developmental delays in children, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Earlier research in Ghana found elevated levels of phthalates, endocrine disruptors associated with developmental and reproductive harm, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and semi-volatile chlorinated organic compounds, both connected to cancer and reproductive damage.
Some studies caution against recycled toilet paper because it may be made from discarded newspapers or cash-register receipts contaminated with BPA, a substance linked to reproductive issues and cardiovascular disease. Concerns have also been raised about bleaching processes that can create dioxins and about formaldehyde, a carcinogen, in some products. Manufacturers are not required to disclose the ingredients in toilet paper.
Dr. Julia Saylors, an oncologist and integrative medicine physician in Charleston, South Carolina, notes that the skin on the genitalia and anus is thinner and more absorbent than skin elsewhere on the body. These mucosal surfaces lead to the interior of the body and absorb substances more readily. “It is well known that applying a medication to the vaginal mucosa results in a substantially higher absorption if the same medication is applied to the skin,” Saylors said. “Therefore, any potentially harmful chemical is best to avoid in that area.” Still, she says toilet paper probably is not a person’s highest exposure to toxins, with food packaging, cleaning products, and textiles posing more significant sources.
Dr. Amar Rewari, chief of radiation oncology at Luminis Health in Maryland, says the levels of industrial chemicals in toilet paper are “very small and not clearly linked to cancer.” He points out that PFAS, phthalates, BPA, and trace dioxins can be found in small amounts throughout modern life, and the highest exposures come from what people eat, drink, or breathe over time, not from brief skin contact with toilet paper. Regarding BPA in recycled paper, he says the detected levels are generally low and the clinical significance remains uncertain.
Rewari also addresses bleaching concerns, explaining that modern manufacturing uses elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching with chlorine dioxide instead of chlorine gas. This process dramatically reduces the formation of dioxins and other potentially harmful byproducts. “The amount of residual chemicals in finished products is extremely low,” he said.
Dr. Alok A. Khorana, professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University, agrees that exposure to environmental toxins through toilet paper is likely much smaller than exposure through food and water. However, he says the subject is “worth investigating further,” noting that several potentially harmful substances are present and it is worth understanding whether exposure could be carcinogenic. He adds that studies are challenging because toilet paper use is so prevalent that finding a comparison group of non-users in the U.S. is difficult.
Experts do not recommend abandoning conventional toilet paper. “I don’t think people need to avoid conventional toilet paper altogether,” Rewari said. “Most people will use conventional toilet paper throughout their lives without any problems.” He advises choosing products with fewer unnecessary additives, noting that fragrances, lotions, and dyes do not improve hygiene and may increase the risk of irritation. For most people, a simple, unscented product remains the safest choice.
