What Are in Disposable Regular Pads?

Topper

Initially, I was actually pretty impressed by how soft the fabric felt. However, looking at it under the microscope, you can see there are a lot of dots and thick lines. It looks like it’s used to keep the fibers glued together while providing openings that lead to the main absorbent core of the pad.

On the back, you can better see the glue-like markings. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but I’m thinking it’s a type of resin. It comes in liquid form but in colder conditions, it can become crystallized. Generally, once cured it’s non-toxic to touch but like other parts of the pad, it contains various chemicals that could be dangerous for wildlife when they consume our waste.

Core

The core of this regular pad is made of something called FlexFoam. It’s known to be a strong adhesive, so I wasn’t able to pull it off the back layer without tearing it. Some people like the way the foam provides cushion in the pad like memory foam in tennis shoes.

FlexFoam is a type of polyurethane flexible foam which is highly flammable. When ignited, it’ll start to burn rapidly and release toxic chemicals. The most prevalent is carbon monoxide.

Here's a video showing how pads containing polyurethane flexible foam look when they're burned. When burned polyurethane produces deep black smoke which you'll be able to see.

Video credit: Naturally Savvy

Works Cited

“What's in an ALWAYS Pad?”Always®, Procter & Gamble Co. , always.com/en-us/about-us/what-ingredients-are-in-always-pads.

Gharehbagh, Ahmadreza, and Zahed Ahmadi . “Polyurethane Flexible Foam Fire Behavior.”Polyurethane Flexible Foam Fire Behavior, 29 Aug. 2012, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/47965 .

“OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins Fire Hazard of Polyurethane and Other Organic Foam Insulation Aboard Ships and in Construction.”Occupational Safety and Health Administration, United States Department of Labor, www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19890510.html#:~:text=Rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams,gas is usually carbon monoxide.