Paper towels are generally considered safe for cleaning and drying, but concerns exist regarding chemical residues transferring to skin or food. Many paper towels contain trace chemical byproducts and additives used to enhance performance. These chemicals fall into two categories: agents required to create the paper structure and contaminants introduced through recycled sources or specialty coatings. Understanding these distinctions helps consumers make informed choices.
Processing Agents Used in Manufacturing
Paper towels begin as wood pulp, which requires chemical processing to achieve the desired whiteness and wet strength. Historically, bleaching the pulp relied on chlorine gas, a process that created dioxins. These compounds are persistent environmental pollutants and were a major health concern. Today, most manufacturers have shifted away from elemental chlorine, instead using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) processes with chlorine dioxide, or Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) processes that use oxygen, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide.
The ability of a paper towel to stay intact when wet is achieved through the addition of wet-strength resins. The most common type used today is polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resin, which creates cross-links between the cellulose fibers. Earlier resins, such as urea-formaldehyde and melamine-formaldehyde, were phased out due to concerns over residual formaldehyde. PAE resins are largely non-formaldehyde, though the manufacturing process can still yield trace amounts of contaminants.
These trace compounds are monitored, and regulatory bodies have deemed the minute levels in finished products acceptable for consumer use. However, the use of PAE resins, while improving function, can make the paper more difficult to recycle. For most consumers, the structural chemicals represent a negligible exposure risk compared to historical manufacturing methods.
Trace Contaminants and Specialty Additives
A different set of concerns arises from chemicals that are either unintended contaminants or specialty additives for specific product lines. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) fall into the latter category, historically added to paper products that require oil and grease resistance. These “forever chemicals” were used to coat items like fast-food wrappers and some heavy-duty industrial towels to prevent grease and water from soaking through. The concern with PFAS is their high persistence and their potential to migrate from the paper into food, leading to dietary exposure.
PFAS exposure has been linked to potential health issues, including immune system suppression and increased risk for certain cancers. In a significant development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in early 2024 the completion of a voluntary phase-out of grease-proofing substances containing certain PFAS compounds for food contact use. This action aims to eliminate a primary source of dietary exposure to these chemicals from authorized food packaging.
Bisphenols, such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and its replacement, Bisphenol S (BPS), represent the category of unintended contaminants. These chemicals are widely used in the coating of thermal receipt paper, and when that paper enters the recycling stream, the bisphenols contaminate the resulting recycled pulp. Paper towels made with recycled content can therefore contain trace amounts of BPA and BPS. These compounds are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with the body’s hormonal system.
While the concentrations of bisphenols found in paper towels are generally low, the risk is related to the potential for transfer upon contact. Products made from virgin wood pulp typically contain significantly lower or undetectable levels of these bisphenols compared to those made from recycled materials. The presence of these trace chemicals in recycled products highlights the complexities of modern material sourcing.
Safe Usage and Alternatives
Consumers can take simple steps to minimize potential chemical exposure from paper towels. A primary recommendation is to avoid using standard paper towels for prolonged contact with hot or oily foods, such as draining fried items. The heat and fat can facilitate the transfer of any trace chemical residues present in the paper fibers. Selecting products that are explicitly labeled as food-safe or certified as Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) or Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) can also reduce exposure to bleaching byproducts.
For complete avoidance of chemical residues, alternatives to single-use paper towels are available. Reusable cloth products, such as cotton kitchen towels, microfiber cloths, or Swedish dishcloths made from plant cellulose, can handle most spills and cleanup tasks. These reusable options should be cleaned regularly and thoroughly to prevent bacterial growth, which is the main hygiene concern with cloth alternatives. Switching to cloth eliminates the use of chemical processing agents and offers a sustainable solution.