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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider 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. Epidemiological While it sounds scary, the experts stress theres little truth behind these worries. One of our founding values at joni is radical transparency. 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. When it comes to tampons and other period care, what does organic mean? Is Titanium Dioxide in Tampons and Pads Safe? (2020, February 12). However, larger quantities of titanium dioxide might be damaging if ingested, Dr. Gohar says. "For example, inhaling it at high concentrations can irritate the nose and throat." Titanium Dioxide is a pigment that is used in both pads and tampons to make them appear whiter. 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). Most people assume that their personal products are safe and are willing to use them regardless of ingredients which is why big companies are still using cheap and unsafe ingredients. It's a scary and emotional story. Here's why: sometimes the substance is also noted as "Pigment White 6" or "White Pigment," Dr. Gohar explains. Genetically modified cotton was introduced in 1996 (only 25 years ago) and is thought to be one of the worlds dirtiest crops. 801 3rd St. S 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 TikTokers are raising concern about an ingredient in an organic tampon brand that they say is causing symptoms like heavy bleeding and ovarian cysts. The brand, L., markets itself as "accessible period care made with ingredients inspired by nature," according to its website. Melanie Whyte 8/4/2022. Washington, DC Its very commonly used as a natural mineral and has been studied in rodents.. 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. 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. On supporting marriage rights for same-sex couples. We need your help. 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. (2021, May 01). Titanium dioxide is a common ingredient in tampons, and tampon use has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm. However, there are no trials to validate this finding in humans. Some research, mostly conducted in animals, has found titanium dioxide to be harmful when inhaled and consumed, typically in large quantities. 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. Image shows Paul Pelosi, bruised, in a booking mugshot. Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Foods, Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Cosmetics, Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Drugs, Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Medical Devices, The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely, Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-The-Counter Human Use, European Union: Titanium Dioxide Banned as a Food Additive in the EU, Opinion on Titanium dioxide (TiO2) used in cosmetic products that lead to exposure by inhalation, Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive, Safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive, Critical review of the safety assessment of titanium dioxide additives in food, Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive: Current science report. [TiO2] may cause cancer based on studies done on animals, and it A spokesperson for Proctor and Gamble, which manufactures the L. tampons brand, told Insider titanium dioxide is used in the thread that attaches the cord to the absorbent part of the tampon, and represents less than 0.1% of all ingredients in the product. Examples of this include the follicular phase, ovulatory phase and the luteal phase. ", The post was flagged as part of Facebooks efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what-s-the-risk-titanium-dioxide Fear of tampons may persist because of their association with toxic shock syndrome, Greves and Lincoln theorized. Inhaling titanium dioxide may also result in adverse respiratory reactions, Dr. Gohar says. This can be experienced emotionally such as crying (PMS) or even just focusing more on your diet. 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. 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. Acute Pesticide Poisoning among Female and Male Cotton Growers in India. "Well what do you know." of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. Because lets face it- we should not be putting toxic chemicals inside of our bodies on a regular basis. "If this worries you, then don't use products that have this," Jennifer Lincoln, MD, shared in a video. The research from the IARC did however acknowledge that its lacking the connection to a human study that would confirm long-term effects. 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. Not only is it a more environmentally friendly option, it doesnt contain many ingredients that will linger in your body afterwards. However there is not enough proof showing titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be harmful. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. But if you are truly looking for organic, look for certifications on the packaging. The European Unionrecently banned it as a food additive but the FDA has not. With 8 million views, this instance shows the impact of a TikTokdespite the actual evidence to the contrary. One of our founding values at joni is radical transparency. 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. "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. Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring compound that's used in foods like coffee creamer, salad dressing, and chocolate and cosmetics, like powders, toothpaste, and sunscreen, usually as a bleach or to block UV damage. Suspect in Whaling Museum's $75,000 artifact theft 'seemed likable'. If you Google titanium dioxide and cancer, you are going to see studies that show it has been linked with cancer. 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. The second reason? 33701 Propylene is a plastic that is found in food containers like those that hold yogurt, cream cheese and butter products. OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. But the same 2010 assessment by the International Agency for Research on Cancer did not find adequate evidence that the same was true for humans. Less than 0.1% of titanium dioxide is used in the total ingredients of tampons. "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. 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?" When Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, while other swear by menstrual cups or tampons. And in 2020, The European Unions Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety advised against aerosol and spray products that contain more than 1.4% titanium dioxide due to concerns about inhalation. "Psa to all my girlies," the July 31 post said. 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 Google titanium dioxide and cancer, you are going to see studies that show it has been linked with cancer. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide." When titanium dioxide is used, we assume it isnt in large quantities. They give women freedom., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Just hours before the Idaho slayings, another grisly scene unfolded outside Bryan Kohberger's window, Polar bear kills woman, boy in remote Alaska village, Hawaii fisherman overboard, missing after hooking large ahi, Reality TV star Julie Chrisley reassigned from Florida prison to federal medical center, The rich and powerful flocked to Davos via private jet to discuss climate change, study finds. What is Titanium Dioxide (and should you be worried)? Keep in mind that products labeled as natural don't mean anything and are a form of greenwashing. Please dont panic about titanium dioxide in tampon strings. Our super organic, hypoallergenic and biodegradable tampons are made from 100% certified organic cotton. 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 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. Full disclosure: our ingredient list is simple and does not contain titanium dioxide or any other chemicals or fragrances. Another TikToker, zt0n3r.hippie, responded by saying "now I know" the cause of her own reproductive health problems. The widespread use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) in the food industry has brought about human safety risks related to nanotoxicity. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. They found values ranging from 14,600-4,550,000 particles per capita per day, depending on the region. While "titanium dioxide is natural, meaning found in nature," it doesn't necessarily mean it's healthy, says ob-gyn and pain medicine physician Jen Gunter, MD. Case in point: exposure to titanium dioxide may destroy good gut microbes, cause gut dysfunction and increase intestinal inflammation, according to a February 2021 systematic review of animal studies published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.. "It's important to know that our tampons are safe to use," he said. If people just do a quick Google search, it can be a bit confusing.. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! Enough proof showing titanium dioxide and cancer, you are commenting using your Facebook account health when used tampons! Please dont panic about titanium dioxide and cancer, you are truly looking for organic, and... ( PMS ) or even just focusing more on your diet Lincoln theorized in... Her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, While other swear by menstrual cups or tampons retrieved May,... It a more environmentally friendly option, it can be experienced emotionally as... 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