However, titanium dioxide isn't just a popular ingredient in food. The product in question in the TikTok video is one that is labeled as organic and yet it contains titanium dioxide. All gender affirming care for children is 100% experimental. The titanium dioxide many of the products contain is a naturally occurring mineral used in numerous everyday products as a pigment to keep colors bright and white or filter ultraviolet rays. . Before I wrote this blog, I knew tampons and pads contained harmful chemicals but I will admit that Im a bit shocked by the amount of information there is on this already. https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/titanium-dioxide-in-tampons-pads-48908320, https://www.canada-organic.ca/sites/default/files/organic_labelling_in_canada_booklet_aug2018.pdf, https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2014/10/23/organic-101-organic-brand-nameorganic-package. Just bear in mind: If you have any specific health concerns to weigh, it's critical to reach out to your gynecologist or primary care physician to make the right choice for you. Reach out! Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. The second reason? "According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), regulated doses of titanium dioxide are not harmful, but this also varies based on use," Dr. Gohar says. The FDA also lists titanium dioxide as a safe ingredient for use in cosmetics. To decrease this risk, regularly use a sunscreen with a Broad-Spectrum SPF value of 15 or higher and other sun protection measures including: limit time in the sun, especially from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses Jayesh adds that we have to be careful to not make assumptions without evidence-based facts. In its report, the EFSA reported that they couldn't rule out the possibility that titanium dioxide caused damage to DNA ("genotoxicity")and thus couldn't establish a safe level of daily intake. According to Safe Cosmetics.org, titanium dioxide does not penetrate healthy or even unhealthy, burnt skin, and so "poses no local or systemic risk to human health" when used topically. Indeed, this white pigment lightens everything from paints, paper coatings and plastics to sunscreen, pharmaceutical tablets, flours and dairy products, according to the National Library of Medicine. ", Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Flynn agree that it's okay to approach the ingredient with caution. According to Code of Federal Regulations, the mineral is considered "exempt from certification" in cosmetics, medical devices, and pharmaceutical drugs, meaning it has determined that the "certification of this color additive is not necessary for the protection of the public health. But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. "To date, there is no published research that has researched the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Eyvazzadeh said. We see tampons as this idea of taking your virginity, which is, of course, BS, she said. "It keeps us from getting skin cancer, which I think we would all agree is a good thing," Lincoln said, adding that it's also in toothpaste. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider You can find their products at Healthy Planet or order from their website. And though tampons have not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm, experts say more research is needed. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Dr. Eyvazzadeh. The decision was based on available scientific research which, although not totally conclusive, found that an accumulation of titanium dioxide in the body could possibly contribute to genotoxicity (i.e., damage at the DNA level that may lead to cancer). Yes, I know there are scary videos circulating on TikTok, but this is chemophobia. In this study, food-related TiO 2 NPs (anatase, 40 nm) were given to rats by oral gavage for 90 days at doses of 10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg bw. Titanium dioxide tampons are made from a material that does not absorb fluid, which is great for those with anemia or other conditions that can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding. I dont want to speak much on something that I personally have never tried, but I have heard great things about the Diva Cup! So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? These worries were sparked in 2021 when, in a shift from its previous assessments, the European Food Safety Authority announced that titanium dioxide was no longer considered a safe food additive. View all posts by Sara Mastrangelo. He is also a former United States Peace Corps Volunteer. There are a number of folks online recently worried about finding titanium dioxide as an ingredient in their tampons and pads and wondering if it is related to some health joni co-founder, Jayesh Vekariyain addition to holding an MBAhas a masters in pharmacology with a research interest in endocrine hormones and reproductive health with more than nine years of experience within the pharmaceutical industry. Titanium dioxide has bubbled up to the top of our feed again, but this time it's not in Skittles, it's in tampons. What to Know About Food Additive Titanium Dioxide," July 26, 2022, Environmental Science & Technology, "Release of Titanium Dioxide from Textiles during Washing," July 2, 2012, The Guardian, "Tampon wars: the battle to overthrow the Tampax empire," Feb. 11, 2020, District of Columbia Find him on Instagram@dr.daignault. Stay up to date with what you want to know. The chemical substance also seems to have a potentially negative impact on the gut microbiome, Dr. Gohar says. He studied Global Health at Georgetown University and has a Medical Degree from Ben-Gurion University. Its important to note that even with organic tampons and pads, irritation, inflammation, and infections can occur from not changing them regularly or from chaffing. In 1980, 812 cases of TSS associated with menstruation were reported, but over the course of the following decade, cases dropped significantly due to companies making less absorbent tampons and increased public awareness of TSS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the mostwidely used white pigment because of its brightness and very high refractive index meaning that its "brilliant whiteness" does not allow light to pass through. When Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, while other swear by menstrual cups or tampons. Tampons require the FDAs premarket review evaluating the products safety and effectiveness. Titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in many products to make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. Melanie Whyte 8/4/2022. The Beach Is My Happy Placeand Here Are 3 Science-Backed Reasons It Should Be Yours, Too. Plus, Gunter explained that titanium dioxide tends to stick to whatever fabric it is on, and is not easily washed out. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane as a possible human carcinogen. Follow her on Twitter to see her recent stories. In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive. Tampons are great. Whats lost in translation is that its really related to the inhalation of titanium dioxide, not (when it's) used internally, such as a tampon," she explained, adding that the research is in rats. Her team is working on a pilot project analyzing tampons for the presence of metals and pesticides. In studies examining cancer and titanium dioxide in animals, the animals inhaled it and did not ingest it or insert it, Lincoln said. Other human studies, however, have not found any clear link between lung cancer and titanium dioxide. Some cotton farmers earn less than $2.00 a day for their cotton and spend up to 60% of their annual income on pesticides. This finding prompted the European Union to ban TiO2 as a food additive earlier this year, but in the U.S., the ingredient is still considered to be safe in food at the limits set by the FDA. Tampons are great. We follow them for beauty tutorials and fashion tips, fitness and more. Its not like a company can throw anything in there, Lincoln said. Titanium Dioxide, or TiO2, is a white coloring agent used in cosmetic products, toothpaste, deodorant, desserts and paint. Consuming rice and beans, milk, cheese, butter and eggs causes disease by age 30. Inhaling titanium dioxide while you're painting a room or working on a construction site, for example, may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. People on social media are worried that titanium dioxide on tampons can cause cancer or irregular periods thanks to a viral video. "Our high-quality ingredients are rigorously tested and meet strict safety and government regulations around the world.". But powdered cosmetics were safe up to 25%. But no matter what your period product preference, you shouldn't be worried about whether it can harm your health. The ban was related to really concern and hypothetical risks, she stressed. The European Food Safety Authority in 2021 expressed concern that TiO2 particles in food additives could accumulate over time in the body and ruled that it could no longer be considered safe as a food additive. Bobby Parrish, a social media influencer with more than 1 million followers on Instagram, said titanium dioxide is really bad for reproductive health and claims it can cause excessive bleeding. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Its really pervasive because its a whitening agent. A post shared by Jen Gunter (@drjengunter), But not all doctors agree. Sunscreens with titanium dioxide as nanoparticles, Safety of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in cosmetics, New York becomes first state to require ingredients list on pads, tampons, Are Skittles Toxic? What we do know is that in the history of tampons, even before organic cotton was introduced, there have not been more than a handful of cases of cancer. According to the company, TiO2 represents less than 0.1% of all the ingredients they use to manufacture their tampons. Get it daily. Titanium dioxide exposure would not be on that list. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before. And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. Fear of tampons may persist because of their association with toxic shock syndrome, Greves and Lincoln theorized. Theyre really tightly regulated. Her video has 3.6 million views. So now that you know why you should avoid conventional menstrual products at all costs, lets explore some healthier alternatives and brands! The safest bet, according to Tierno, is to use pads. The research from the IARC did however acknowledge that its lacking the connection to a human study that would confirm long-term effects. Paraffin on its own can cause inflammation and irritation, but with the concoction of other chemicals added during production, its the perfect storm to throw off your pH. Aug. 6, 2022, theSkimm, "What To Know About Titanium Dioxide In Tampons and Skittles," Aug. 4, 2022, The Vajenda, "Titanium dioxide isn't making tampons into toxic death sticks," Aug. 3, 2022, Kimberly-Clark, "U by Kotex Ingredients and Purposes," accessed Aug. 8, 2022, L. (tampon brand), "FAQs," accessed Aug. 9, 2022, Tampax, "What are tampons made of?" OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? Theres nothing linked in the data that says that tampon use is linked to cancer or harm in the reproductive system, Dr. Christine Greves, an OB-GYN in Orlando, Florida, told TODAY. We go through many phases both before and after our monthly cycles based on the hormones being released. Our editors independently select these products. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. We know its very important to remove the tampon, not to leave it in., Added Lincoln: I also think this is just my theory that anything that goes in the vagina, in this country, were somewhat scared of it. This brand is my go to- you can find it at Loblaws or even Amazon! joni's non-applicator tampons are made with 100% organic cotton and nothing else. of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. We have to remember that even with the big corporate brands, they exist because they want to solve a problem while making money in the process. Titanium dioxide can also be in food, according to the National Library of Medicine. Although the vagina is a mucous membrane through which a chemical could be absorbed we dont know for sure if this actually happens and if it does how much glyphosate is actually absorbed. In a previous blog post, Jayesh. TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. In the emergency room, I assess five primary routes of exposure for a substance when assessing for toxicity: inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestionand absorption. debunked the myth that non-organic pads can cause cancer. Before I dive into the horrible and unnecessary ingredients in both pads & tampons, I want to talk about why a menstrual period is such an important cycle that happens within the human body. Titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in many products to make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. USDA Organic certification may only be displayed on products that are 100% organic. Titanium dioxide is a common ingredient in tampons, and tampon use has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm. "[TiO2] may cause cancer based on studies done on animals, and it has been associated with lung cancer when inhaled," says Dr. Eyvazzadeh, which is why the government sets limits on exposure for workers. Its really pervasive because its a whitening agent. as well as other partner offers and accept our. I also love that they use 100% organic cotton, are plastic & fragrance free, totally chlorine free and are biodegradable! Genetically modified cotton was introduced in 1996 (only 25 years ago) and is thought to be one of the worlds dirtiest crops. Titanium dioxide in food Should you be concerned? "[P]revious studies have shown that titanium dioxide can cause alterations to the reproductive system, including reducing the ovarian follicles and leading to the formation of ovarian cysts," she says. During clinical trials the amount of titanium dioxide I do think that they have an image problem because of that.. But there is also no published research on vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide that can guarantee its safety. Titanium dioxide is used in all kinds of products as a whitener, including toothpaste, sunscreen, and yes, period care. The titanium dioxide in it is toxic to us & causing cancerous cysts, ectopic pregnancies, & reproductive damage in humans. How Bad Is It Really to Wear a Tampon for Longer Than 8 Hours? Not all eco products are equal and use the So are organic tampons better? A recent TikTok video went viral with thefalse claim that the titanium dioxide used in L. brand organic tampons is responsible for miscarriages, cancerand a host of other medical problems. Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. In an interview with Popsugar, ob-gyn Jen Gunter, MD said that within her 30 years of experience, there has never been a case where cancer, endometriosis, or other serious health conditions have been linked to tampons themselvesexcept toxic shock syndrome, which is rare. Change). You would think that with all of the evidence behind the dangers related to this ingredient that it would not be used in menstrual products, however there is very little regulation as you can see! Epidemiological The interesting thing is that most studies done on rayon are based on fashion or clothing, not on the effects of putting it inside of the body. However, that is unfortunately not the case for pads and tampons. Doctors say that tampons are safe. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The European Union banned titanium dioxide in food earlier this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service. The choice is yours. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. Some of the fear mongering about tampons seems to be because the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as a Group 2B carcinogen, meaning possibly carcinogenic to humans. But theres an important caveat hereby inhalation. This was from studies where rats were inhaling high doses. Titanium dioxide doesnt dissolve in water, meaning the nanoparticles arent going to dissolve from the tampon string and get into the blood that might be pooling in the vagina "Titanium dioxide is the naturally occurring compound created when titanium reacts with oxygen in the air," explains endocrinologist and advisor at reproductive-health company Natalist, Skittles (and its parent company, Mars Inc.), approved titanium dioxide for human consumptionin 1966. including candies and other processed foods. This ingredient is widely used to provide a whiter appearance and opacity to products such as paints, plastics, papers, inks, foods and toothpaste. Our super organic, hypoallergenic and biodegradable tampons are made from 100% certified organic cotton. a lot of people online are upset with tampon brands (tampax and L. specifically) because they include titanium dioxide in the tampons, which apparently can cause reproductive harm. I do think that they have an image problem because of that.. Some country-level occupational health and safety organizations cite a lack of high-quality studies from which they can draw any concrete conclusions about the long-term risks of titanium dioxide exposure. "If you use these, STOP RIGHT NOW!! accessed Aug. 9, 2022, Chemical Safety Facts, "Titanium Dioxide | Use, Benefits, and Chemical Safety Facts," accessed Aug. 8, 2022, International Agency for Research on Cancer, "Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans VOLUME 93 Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc," 2010, International Agency for Research on Cancer, "Studies of Cancer in Experimental Animals - Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc," 2010, Healthline, "Titanium dioxide in food Should you be concerned?" 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Attention or call titanium dioxide tampons risks is it safe to have titanium dioxide is n't in your tampons & damage. Health at Georgetown University and has a Medical Degree from Ben-Gurion University evidence suggest! Explore some healthier alternatives and brands we see tampons as this idea of taking your virginity, which is of... I know there are scary videos circulating on TikTok, but this inhaled., have not found any clear link between lung cancer and titanium dioxide in tampons, which inside! Love that they have an image problem because of that the thread that attaches the stringto the part. Stringto the absorbent part of the worlds dirtiest crops biodegradable tampons are made with 100 % cotton. Ectopic pregnancies, & reproductive damage in humans though tampons have not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm regulations! Or TiO2, is a white coloring agent used in many products to make them look whiter, according ChemicalSafetyFacts.org... Can cause cancer our super organic, hypoallergenic and biodegradable tampons are made with 100 organic. Long-Term effects Loblaws or even Amazon 3 Science-Backed Reasons it should be Yours, Too 's okay to the... Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, other. Cysts, ectopic pregnancies, & reproductive damage in humans its not like a company can throw anything in,... Use to manufacture their tampons the International Agency for research on vaginal or vulvar exposure titanium...
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