We see tampons as this idea of taking your virginity, which is, of course, BS, she said. The brand, L., markets itself as "accessible period care made with ingredients inspired by nature," according to its website. Find him on [email protected]. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. These days, in the United States, there are fewer than 20,000 cases of TSS a year, Greves said: Toxic shock syndrome is definitely less common simply because now were educated. And there honestly isn't a ton of reliable data on the ingredient to help us draw better conclusions, argues the authors of this 2011 review. This can be experienced emotionally such as crying (PMS) or even just focusing more on your diet. Although commercially produced tampons have been around since the 1930s, their ingredients only recently became the subject of public scrutiny, thanks to a 2019 New York law that required manufacturers to disclose them. But what about its relationship to cancer? However, larger quantities of titanium dioxide might be damaging if ingested, Dr. Gohar says. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. In general, Dr. Gunter says that there is no evidence that titanium dioxide on tampon strings can cause any harm. Within her 30 years as a gynecologist, Dr. Gunter says 33701 Someone had posted a TikTok about the dangers of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and it went viral. Vaginal pH imbalances can lead Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) occurs when a super-absorbent tampons is inserted for longer than medically recommended, which may lead certain types of bacteria to grow. As you can see, there is not much regulation that goes into the manufacturing of menstrual products. 1800 I Street NW Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. But powdered cosmetics were safe up to 25%. 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. I also love that they use 100% organic cotton, are plastic & fragrance free, totally chlorine free and are biodegradable! as well as other partner offers and accept our. He studied Global Health at Georgetown University and has a Medical Degree from Ben-Gurion University. Everything You Need to Know About Maintaining Your Vaginal pH Balance: Normal Levels Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vaginal-ph-balance, My name is Sara and I love anything to do with natural health, nutrition & fitness! This ingredient is widely used to provide a whiter appearance and opacity to products such as paints, plastics, papers, inks, foods and toothpaste. He added that the vaginal mucosa has lots of blood vessels, which allow it to absorb what's in tampons, leading to complications like toxic shock syndrome. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. Its not like a company can throw anything in there, Lincoln said. Titanium dioxide is used in all kinds of products as a whitener, including toothpaste, sunscreen, and yes, period care. Sunscreen can safely contain up to 25% titanium dioxide. Microplastic release from the degradation of Polypropylene feeding bottles during infant Formula Preparation. The problem with Tampax, O.B and other conventional menstrual product manufacturers is that they use genetically modified cotton, as well as a list of other toxic ingredients such as wood pulp, plastics and dyes. July 21, 2021, Britannica, "Titanium Dioxide," accessed Aug. 8, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Foods," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Cosmetics," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Drugs," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Medical Devices," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely," Sept. 30, 2020, Food and Drug Administration, "Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-The-Counter Human Use," March 29, 2022, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, "European Union: Titanium Dioxide Banned as a Food Additive in the EU," March 3, 2022, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, "Titanium Dioxide," Jan. 13, 2021, Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, "Opinion on Titanium dioxide (TiO2) used in cosmetic products that lead to exposure by inhalation," Oct. 6, 2022, European Food Safety Authority, "Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive," May 6, 2021, European Food Safety Authority, "Safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive," May 6, 2021, Journal of Nanobiotechnology, "Critical review of the safety assessment of titanium dioxide additives in food," June 1, 2018, Health Canada, "Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive: Current science report," June 20, 2022, Scientific American, "Are Skittles Toxic from Titanium Dioxide?" TiO2 It is mined from the Earth and then processed into an inorganic solid white compound most commonlyused as a pigment in paints, food coloring, sunscreenand cosmetic products. (That's slowly changing after New York passed a law requiring ingredients lists on menstrual products sold in the state). The National Library of Medicine noted that there's "inadequate evidence in humans" that the additive contributes to cancer. Pain Inserting a Tampon? ", The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved titanium dioxide for human consumptionin 1966, cementing its presence in a variety of foods, including candies and other processed foods. Its important to question ingredients and read the studies for a balanced view to understand any risk. And linked it to cancer and damage to Fortunately, many new wave period-care companies are extremely transparent about their ingredients lists. a Titanium dioxide has bubbled up to the top of our feed again, but this time it's not in Skittles, it's in tampons. In studies examining cancer and titanium dioxide in animals, the animals inhaled it and did not ingest it or insert it, Lincoln said. Its derived from petroleum and is found in some beauty products because its very cheap and is considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. Ron DeSantis signs bill requiring Florida students, professors to register political views with (the) state., J.K. Rowling tweeted, If you American birds could keep your legs closed then maybe you wouldnt need abortions in the first place?, "The Supreme Court ruled that border agents can enter anyones home within a 100-mile radius of the border without a warrant for any reason and federal courts cannot do anything about it.". I dont want to speak much on something that I personally have never tried, but I have heard great things about the Diva Cup! debunked the myth that non-organic pads can cause cancer. So, do organic tampons contain titanium dioxide? Not all regulatory agencies agree: The Canada Health Department, for example, like the FDA, found titanium dioxide to be a safe food additive. I do think that they have an image problem because of that.. We recommend looking at the whole picture by looking for certifications and asking what those certifications entail. The safest bet, according to Tierno, is to use pads. You cant just say just because you breathe something in and it causes cancer that its also going to cause cancer in a different route, Lincoln explained. She does this by citing another TikTok videoin which that user claimed to have excessive vaginal bleeding, ovarian cystsand uterine damage after using L. brand tampons. This brand is my go to- you can find it at Loblaws or even Amazon! Another TikToker, zt0n3r.hippie, responded by saying "now I know" the cause of her own reproductive health problems. From ankle weights to a pilates kit, 12 expert-approved picks for your fitness routine. "It's important to know that our tampons are safe to use," he said. TikTokers are raising concern about an ingredient in an organic tampon brand that they say is causing symptoms like heavy bleeding and ovarian cysts. "Most tampons list their ingredients on the back of the package," Dr. Gohar says. What to Know About Food Additive Titanium Dioxide, Release of Titanium Dioxide from Textiles during Washing, Tampon wars: the battle to overthrow the Tampax empire. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), California Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/carbon-disulfide.pdf, https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/titanium_dioxide.html, https://www.healthline.com/health/is-polypropylene-safe, https://balmonds.co.uk/blogs/blog/the-problem-with-paraffin-in-emollients, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypropylene#Health_concerns, https://cfda.com/resources/materials/detail/rayon-viscose, https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-peg-compounds-contaminants/, https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vaginal-ph-balance. And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. Existing research sheds little conclusive light on this claim. Inhaling titanium dioxide while you're painting a room or working on a construction site, for example, may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. It can also be found in a variety of beauty products and lotions such as sunscreen. We definitely need more activism and awareness around this issue! 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. Needless to say, we need to start voting with our money and stop buying products that we know are not good for us. Throughout the week of our actual menstrual cycle, it is so important to allow your body to do a full cleanse! But there is also no published research on vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide that can guarantee its safety. 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. So inhalation at higher concentrations may not be advisable, but inhalation clearly isnt a risk when tampons are used according to their intended purpose. We see tampons as something that could potentially harm us, Lincoln said. OEKO-TEX, for example, is a popular certification for textiles that tests for potentially harmful substances, from raw materials through to the finished productand re-testing occurs every three years. . 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. 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 is a naturally occurring substance that is often used in food and other topical products to create a whiter and brighter look," Dr. Gohar says. Non-organic period care may also have fragrances or use bleach that can cause irritation, so its important to find the product that works for you individually and use it as directed. The research from the IARC did however acknowledge that its lacking the connection to a human study that would confirm long-term effects. Jayesh adds that we have to be careful to not make assumptions without evidence-based facts. Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the string to the absorbent part of the tampon. According to the company, TiO2 represents less than 0.1% of all the ingredients they use to manufacture their tampons. If youre looking for a healthier alternative to your personal care products, check out Natracare. Get it daily. I am less concerned with the level of titanium dioxide in tamponsthan I am with how social media users dangerously, and unchecked, amplifymisinformation. If you think of all the cosmetics and dyes and candy and food its everywhere, Dr. Jennifer Wu, an OB-GYN at Lenox Hill Hospital, told TODAY. Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. On its own, paraffin is greasy and has an unpleasant odour. All gender affirming care for children is 100% experimental. OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? So while there is no evidence of danger, "we also dont have the science to assure us that this kind of exposure is safe either. Video shows Elon Musk talking about what every failed leader he met had in common. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/health/is-polypropylene-safe, Li, D., Shi, Y., Yang, L., Xiao, L., Kehoe, D. K., Gunko, Y. K., . "If you use these, STOP RIGHT NOW!! Some are alleging that a common ingredient found in many tampon brands called titanium dioxide can cause excessive bleeding, infertility and even cancer. Titanium dioxide has bubbled up to the top of our feed again, but this time it's not in Skittles, it's in tampons. So manufacturers add preservatives, fragrance and bleach to make it more appealing. It's primarily used to help make white foods appear whiter (like milk and candy) or to lengthen the shelf life of foods that are sensitive to UV light. Its on the string so its not even in the part of the tampon thats inside the vagina," Lincoln said. 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). Some experts say that there's no need to lose sleep over having titanium dioxide in tampons. The European Unionrecently banned it as a food additive but the FDA has not. Its very commonly used as a natural mineral and has been studied in rodents.. Study after study has flagged concerns about the potential damaging effects of titanium dioxide on organs like the liver and kidney. Theres really two reasons why people think that it could cause cancer, and I can understand why because its confusing, Lincoln, an OB-GYN and author of the book, Lets Talk about Down There: An OB-GYN Answers all Your Burning Questions Without Making You Feel Embarrassed for Asking, told TODAY. 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. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/carbon-disulfide.pdf, Government of Canada, C. C. (2021, May 09). Consuming rice and beans, milk, cheese, butter and eggs causes disease by age 30. The use of titanium dioxide in tampons is not explicitly regulated, because the agency only "makes clearance or approval decisions for medical devices, such as tampons, pads, and menstrual cups, as they are supplied in their final, finished form," the FDA spokesperson said. We see tampons as something that could potentially harm us, Lincoln said. And it would be a stretch to correlate a possible connection in rats to a true cause-and-effect in humans. Whether titanium dioxide is toxic depends on how a person is exposed to it and in what amount. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Lets look at what can happen with an acute TiO2 exposure: The last route absorption is the route of question when it comes to the TiO2 in tampons. A cure for cancer, known as a Rife machine, was found in 1934. At joni, were also proud to have ECO-CERT certified, which also oversees responsible production, recyclable packaging, and the responsible use of resources. They have teams of scientists and gynecologists. But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. The experts agree that myths about tampons have long existed, and this is just the latest misconception. The TikTok user who posted the video makes theclaim that TiO2 has been linked to cancer and multiple gynecological issues. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The FDA told PolitiFact that it is not currently aware of any evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons is toxic or harmsthe body. 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. I believe we all have a responsibility to better and more critically appraise social media content, particularly with regard to health and medical information. When it comes to tampons and other period care, what does organic mean? "So, if titanium dioxide is giving you anxiety that you just can't shake," there are plenty of period care products and trustworthy tampon brands you can try without the chemical, Dr. Gohar says. To say this guy likes his scientific studies is an understatement. #notokay. Its really pervasive because its a whitening agent. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide So, titanium dioxide on the tampon string is not going to be dissolved and absorbed by menstrual blood; and certainly, will not be absorbed into the body. That determination prompted authorities in the European Union to ban the substance as a food additive. It is considered one of the most dangerous fabrics, but is still one of the main ingredients in our menstrual products! Genetically modified cotton was introduced in 1996 (only 25 years ago) and is thought to be one of the worlds dirtiest crops. In the UK, the compound is banned from foods due to the potential for it to build up in the body and act as a carcinogen. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. National Library of Medicines list 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. There is no evidence that tampon use (generally) causes cancer, reproductive damage or ectopic pregnancy according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. IE 11 is not supported. Thank you so much for reading my blog! Its very commonly used as a natural mineral and has been studied in rodents.. Some cotton farmers earn less than $2.00 a day for their cotton and spend up to 60% of their annual income on pesticides. The Problem With Paraffin In Emollients. The Beach Is My Happy Placeand Here Are 3 Science-Backed Reasons It Should Be Yours, Too. Sunscreen, for example, can have up to 25% titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and both the FDA and EU consider it to be safe. The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK. 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. "They use it to make the string look whiter.. "Our high-quality ingredients are rigorously tested and meet strict safety and government regulations around the world.". Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what-s-the-risk-titanium-dioxide Theres no evidence of cancer due to titanium dioxide in tampons but that may be because there simply arent any studies in this regard. In an interview with Popsugar, ob Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? Always remember- you are the only one with your health in best interest! Here's why: sometimes the substance is also noted as "Pigment White 6" or "White Pigment," Dr. Gohar explains. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) occurs when a super-absorbent tampons is inserted for longer than medically recommended, which may lead certain types of bacteria to grow. That said, with all the scientific evidence accumulating in other areas, consumers should be more aware of titanium dioxide's potential effect on reproductive health, Dr. Gohar says. "To date, there is no published research that has researched the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Eyvazzadeh said. 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. "If you feel uncomfortable with the potential risks associated with titanium dioxide, look for products that dont include titanium dioxide on the ingredients list," says Flynn. Below, Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Erin Flynn, MPH, DNP/FNP, an LGBTQ+ care expert with birth control startup Favor, share the complicated truth behind this question. A recent viral TikTok had social media users alarmed about the idea of tampons causing cancer because they contain titanium dioxide, but OB-GYNs say there's no data to support it. However, paraffin is far from clean! In Canada and the USA, organic claims must be verifiable but only a percentage of the product needs to be organic, and that percentage must be displayed. Rayon is processed with many other chemicals to be broken down into cellulose, which according to Tampax helps absorb and retain fluid. 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. Although it has been proven to likely be carcinogenic, this ingredient is still used in many products including menstrual products. Titanium dioxide in food Should you be concerned? PEGS or polyethylene glycols are petroleum-based compounds that are widely used in the cosmetic industry as thickeners, solvents and softeners. Are Skittles Toxic from Titanium Dioxide? 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. Here arefivesteps you can start applying today: Do this, not that:Simple swaps to boost your wellness, More:Why Epsom salt should be a staple in your home medicine cabinet, Michael Daignault, MD, is a board-certified ER doctor in Los Angeles. The second reason? Theyre really tightly regulated. Its a compound that reflects light particles. And though tampons have not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm, experts say more research is needed. Its use as a food additive was banned in the European Union. Are common multivitamins worth the money? 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.