Toilet paper can contain harmful chemicals that are toxic to human health and the environment. Here are some of the negative aspects of toilet paper:
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Toxic Chemicals: Toilet paper can contain harsh chemicals such as chlorine, which is used to bleach the paper to appear bright white. Chlorine can cause skin irritation, particularly around the vulva, and could increase a female’s risk of infection. Fragrances in scented toilet paper contain chemically-derived fragrances or perfumes that can disrupt the natural pH of the vagina and irritate the sensitive skin around the anus and vagina, leading to redness, itchiness, and burning.
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PFAS: Toilet paper can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as "forever chemicals," which are used in paper manufacturing as wetting agents to increase the efficiency of the pulping process. PFAS can be harmful to human health and the environment, and they can enter wastewater treatment systems when toilet paper is flushed down the toilet. All toilet paper from across the globe checked for toxic PFAS contained the compounds, and the waste flushed down toilets and sent to sewage treatment plants probably creates a significant source of PFAS entering wastewater treatment systems.
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Recycled Paper: Recycled toilet paper can contain bisphenols (BPA & BPS), which are toxic additives that can disrupt the endocrine system.
To avoid these negative aspects of toilet paper, it is recommended to use toilet paper made from bamboo and sugarcane instead of traditional paper. These alternatives are more sustainable and do not contain the harmful chemicals found in traditional toilet paper.
