And although there is no evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons is unsafe, it has never been officially investigated. Toxins released from rayon can also rarely cause tissue necrosis for people who regularly wear clothing made of this fabric. 4 min read. Titanium dioxide has recently been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen possible carcinogen to humans. 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. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? Its on the string so its not even in the part of the tampon thats inside the vagina," Lincoln said. 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. "To date, there is no published research that has researched the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Eyvazzadeh said. And just as titanium dioxide has not been tested for use with tampons, certified organic tampons have not been tested for any negative or positive medical results. But it said that the concern of genotoxicity the ability for a substance to harm a cells DNA could not be completely ruled out. Video of the Day We spoke to ob-gyn James A. Gohar, MD , co-founder and CEO of Viva Eve , to set the record 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. 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 ", "Titanium dioxide is not an issue," she said, adding that "titanium dioxide doesn't cause reproductive harm when it's on a tampon string.". He is also a former United States Peace Corps Volunteer. Have an idea for an article? Existing research sheds little conclusive light on this claim. In studies examining cancer and titanium dioxide in animals, the animals inhaled it and did not ingest it or insert it, Lincoln said. Activated charcoal benefits explained:Does it actually prevent hangovers? Passionate about periods? (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.). In a previous blog post, Jayesh. While it sounds scary, the experts stress theres little truth behind these worries. IE 11 is not supported. OB-GYN Dr. Jen Gunter posted a response to the controversy on Instagram, calling concerns about it "fearmongering. Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. Plus, Gunter explained that titanium dioxide tends to stick to whatever fabric it is on, and is not easily washed out. 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. Image shows Paul Pelosi, bruised, in a booking mugshot. We disclose every ingredient we use in our products to inform and educate so you can make the best decision for your body. If a tampon shortage in the USA wasnt enough, theres now a terrifying TikTok about the effects of titanium dioxide in tampons with an emotional story that hits home for menstruators. With 8 million views, this instance shows the impact of a TikTokdespite the actual evidence to the contrary. If you Google titanium dioxide and cancer, you are going to see studies that show it has been linked with cancer. As I mentioned earlier, vaginal pH imbalances can lead to different bacterial and fungal infections. Study after study has flagged concerns about the potential damaging effects of titanium dioxide on organs like the liver and kidney. Americans who worked through the pandemic are being paid up to $26,000 by qualifying for the Employee Retention Credit., Every single Republican blocked Ketanji Brown Jacksons SCOTUS appointment.. Period. Preventing paraffin-related injury. Its really pervasive because its a whitening agent. There are many substances, including medications, that we safely encounter or consume on a regular basis. The doctors all praised how tampons make a lot of activities, like swimming, more accessible when you have your period, and stressed that people should feel comfortable using whatever menstrual products they like best. "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 Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, the compound is safe in regulated amounts meaning less than 1% of a food's weight to up to 25% of a sunscreen's concentration. 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. Its widely used in the fashion industry because of its ability to mimic the look and feel of other fabrics such as silk, cotton, wool and others. All rights reserved. "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 and then get absorbed by the body." Needless to say, we need to start voting with our money and stop buying products that we know are not good for us. If people just do a quick Google search, it can be a bit confusing.. The second reason? The National Library of Medicine noted that there's "inadequate evidence in humans" that the additive contributes to cancer. ", 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. We go through many phases both before and after our monthly cycles based on the hormones being released. according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service, Periods happen: Heres how 2 sisters are normalizing the taboo, Lauren Wasser, model who lost leg to toxic shock syndrome, speaks out, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Myths about aluminum and deodorant, explained, Ive written multiple times in this column. Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. This greatly increases the risk of residues being present in your personal products and can throw off the natural pH balance within your vagina. No added chemicals. Is Titanium Dioxide Safe in Tampons? 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. But there is also no published research on vaginal An additional two satellite groups underwent the same protocol for 45 days and for Some people on TikTok are alleging the ingredient can lead to all Ive written multiple times in this columnabout how an observed association between two events or variables does not necessarily mean that one caused the other. Follow her on Twitter to see her recent stories. 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?" International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health,11(3), 221-232. doi:10.1179/oeh.2005.11.3.221, Polypropylene. 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.". As you can see, there is not much regulation that goes into the manufacturing of menstrual products. However, larger quantities of titanium dioxide might be damaging if ingested, Dr. Gohar says. 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?" 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. (LogOut/ Sometimes referred to as titanium white or Pigment White 6, titanium dioxide is all around us. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide A period is a way for the body to cleanse itself, reproduce necessary hormones and shed off the lining of the uterus. This lack of data is incredibly frustrating, given that 26 percent of the global population are of reproductive age and presumably using pads and tampons on the regular to manage their cycles. Dr. Philip M. Tierno, Jr., a professor of microbiology and pathology at the NYU School of Medicine, told Insider that while titanium dioxide is used in plenty of everyday products, "tampons are especially a problem" since it's possible the chemical could be absorbed into the bloodstream through the vagina's lining. How he got caught. Titanium dioxide is a common ingredient in tampons, and tampon use has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm. 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 When Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, while other swear by menstrual cups or tampons. Always remember- you are the only one with your health in best interest! Aside from the negative health effects associated with GM cotton, thousands of cotton farmers and their families suffer from pesticide poisoning every year. ", The post was flagged as part of Facebooks efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. Titanium dioxide is used in all kinds of products as a whitener, including toothpaste, sunscreen, and yes, period care. "There are no published studies on titanium dioxide causing excessive bleeding, infertility or cancer, so it is hard to say if it is dangerous to women's health or not," he says. Someone had posted a TikTok about the dangers of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and it went viral. Because exposure levels are very low, it is likely this is a very low carcinogenic risk. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. "But not only that, 'such substances may have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans,'" she continues. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Fitness, Acupuncture & Healthy Lifestyle Blog. This ensures the product has been tested, and undergoes regular testing, to meet specific standards. After a review of numerous studies, many conducted in animals given high doses of titanium dioxide, the agency reported it did not find evidence of general, organ, reproductive, or developmental toxicity. a 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. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Not only is it a more environmentally friendly option, it doesnt contain many ingredients that will linger in your body afterwards. "Again, the data is inconclusive on whether these products are really linked to excessive bleeding, cancer and infertility, so it's not right or wrong to continue using these products based on currently available information," Dr. Gohar says. "While it might be cancer causing when [ingested or] inhaled, it is inconclusive if it has this same impact when absorbed vaginally," Dr. Gohar says. We definitely need more activism and awareness around this issue! St. Petersburg, FL Is Titanium Dioxide in Tampons and Pads Safe? She enjoys cooking, yoga, reading, music and walking her two rescue dogs. 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. "The potential risks of titanium dioxide vary depending on the method of exposure," says Dr. Eyvazzadeh. "But while no study has positively linked titanium dioxide exposure to ovarian cancer, miscarriages, or UTIs, we also dont have the science to assure us that this kind of exposure is perfectly safe either." When titanium dioxide is used, we assume it isnt in large quantities. How can this be? There's also a little bit of evidence to suggest that the common ingredient may be an endocrine disruptor, says Flynnmeaning it may affect a person's hormonal system. Not all regulatory agencies agree: The Canada Health Department, for example, like the FDA, found titanium dioxide to be a safe food additive. Yet Jayesh clarifies that simply because a brand uses materials that have been pre-assessed for health safety does not mean how theyre being used does not cause problems. Theres no evidence of cancer due to titanium dioxide in tampons but that may be because there simply arent any studies in this regard.. See who are the biggest influencers in the U.S. The Problem With Paraffin In Emollients. More:Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? (LogOut/ Sunscreen can safely contain up to 25% titanium dioxide. "could no longer be considered safe" as a food additive, ban TiO2 as a food additive earlier this year, classifies tampons and pads as medical devices, are recommended, but not required, to list their ingredients, may cause cancer based on studies done on animals, government sets limits on exposure for workers, not found any clear link between lung cancer, titanium dioxide can cause alterations to the reproductive system, 26 percent of the global population are of reproductive age. She discovered the tampons she was using lists titanium dioxide as an ingredient, which she blames for her health issues. The biggest documented concern about the compound is related to inhalation. Vaginal pH imbalances can lead (2021, May 01). "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. So now that you know why you should avoid conventional menstrual products at all costs, lets explore some healthier alternatives and brands! Cause-and-effect can only be established by rigorous randomized-control, double-blindclinical research trials or meta-analyses of multiple smaller studies, for example. So, do organic tampons contain titanium dioxide? "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Dr. Eyvazzadeh. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. 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.

Clif Bar Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Shortage, Michael Jefferson Obituary, Ace Of Spades Apartments Stephenville, Chatham County, Nc Mugshots 2020, Roc Curve For Multiclass Classification In R, The Real Lacey Family Idaho, Does Stephen Tompkinson Have A Brother, Cool Hand Lukes Campfire Beans Recipe,