15826245f15f2e664c1e3a433543b5844be72 titanium dioxide in tampons 15826245f15f2e664c1e3a433543b5844be72 titanium dioxide in tampons

But Im a stay at home mom with no income. I believe we all have a responsibility to better and more critically appraise social media content, particularly with regard to health and medical information. Activated charcoal benefits explained:Does it actually prevent hangovers? No tampon should be used more than once. How Bad Is It Really to Use Baby Powder 'Down There?'. polyester, glycerin, paraffin, titanium dioxide. The FDA discourages the use of reusable tampons. The FDA categorizes titanium dioxide as "Generally Recognized as Safe," but the scare-causing chemical has recently been banned as a food additive in the EU on the basis that experts could not. During clinical trials the amount of titanium dioxide used have not shown any increased health risks and there have been no big outbreaks of things like ovarian cysts associated with titanium oxide tampons. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. 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. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. So there are lots of ways to be exposed to this chemical. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. WVEs Director of Science and Research, Alex Scranton, addresses your questions about titanium dioxide in tampons and pads in this session of #AskAlex. Despite a small percentage ofTiO2 present in the product, low toxicity risk and an unsupported cause-and-effect exampleare both factors that led me to debunk this claim. Inhaling titanium dioxide may also result in adverse respiratory reactions, Dr. Gohar says. Price at time of publication: $6.98 for 20 count. Price at time of publication: $16 for 20 count. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. Dr. Jennifer Gunter, an OB/GYN and frequent debunker of outrageous and fake advice online, is one of the doctors that came out this week to try to reassure individuals that their tampons were not toxic death sticks.. ", Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Flynn agree that it's okay to approach the ingredient with caution. FDA-cleared tampons are made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two. If you have sensitive skin, these hypoallergenic, certified organic cotton tampons from Cora might be just what you're looking for. But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. Other human studies, however, have not found any clear link between lung cancer and titanium dioxide. The FDA has tested and cleared traditionally used tampons for women to use safely and with confidence.". It can be frustrating when you don't have a clear picture of the ingredients in your tampons, toothpaste, chewing gum, and everything in between. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; However there is not enough proof showing titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be harmful. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. "I don't feel as though organic tampons are necessarily any safer than the traditionally manufactured tampons available to the consumer," she said. Before you start gathering all your tampons and scouring their ingredient lists, you should know that experts want you to chill and stop worrying: Your tampons are safe. Since the heaviness of your flow can fluctuate each day during your period, many women keep a variety of tampon sizes on hand. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: (406) 543-3747 Dr. Ryan Marino, a medical toxicologist and assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, told Gizmodo in an email that inhaled titanium dioxide (primarily related to industrial exposure) is considered possibly carcinogenic. Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? Visit our press room or contact our communications director. "Most tampons list their ingredients on the back of the package," Dr. Gohar says. We will keep fighting for the need for safer products and more thorough research! It makes items white. We know from rat studies, rats that inhale it are getting lung cancer.. Tampons are designed to be inserted into the vagina with or without an applicator. We reject and actively push back against racist rhetoric, actions, policies and institutional oppression that leads to state-sanctioned brutality, gun violence, and harmthat again and again assaults communities, particularly communities of color. These are the best organic tampons to shop for: Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! It gets used in a LOT of products and it's probably been in tampons and pads for a long time (just never listed on the label before). Titanium dioxide might be one of these. You can opt-out at any time. But titanium dioxides potential health effects depend on how it's used. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. Just last year the European Food Safety Authority concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe in food, because of genotoxicity concerns [2]. And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. Tampons cleared by the FDA are meant to be used one time and then thrown away. As far as hypothetical exposure risk, the tampon would pose a more significant exposure as it is worn internally. $46 at Amazon. As part of the FDAs review, manufacturers submit data including the results of testing to evaluate the safety of the materials used to make tampons and applicators (if present); tampon absorbency, strength, and integrity; and whether tampons enhance the growth of certain harmful bacteria or change normal bacteria levels in the vagina. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. Estimated ship . The only tampons cleared or approved by the FDA are designed for single-use. Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. "They're easy to use, easily concealable, and give me ease of mind that I'm doing something good for the environment. So you can choose whether or not you want to accept a possible risk to have a whiter tampon OR choose a brand that doesnt include it. The potential problem lies in the specific chemical. How Bad Is It Really to Wear a Tampon for Longer Than 8 Hours? It became the first state in the nation to do so. Also, it may be genotoxic, meaning it can harm your DNA. Because there's so little conclusive research on the potential effects of titanium dioxide, you're not going to find clear, concise guidance for tampon shopping by studying up. Some worry it causes cancer, irregular periods. But this amount varies by product. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring. We may earn a commission from links on this page. In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive. After August 7, the EU is banning it. This box of organic tampons from Top comes in both super and regular sizes, for light and heavy days. Difference Between Regular and Organic Tampons, Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons, Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure Organic Tampons, Best Cardboard Applicator: Oi Certified Organic Tampons, Best Applicator Free: Veeda Natural Cotton Applicator Free Tampons, Best for Light Flow: Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons, Best for Heavy Flow: Lola Super Plus Organic Cotton Tampons, Best Variety Pack: Top Regular & Super Organic Tampons, Best Hypoallergenic Option: Cora Organic Cotton Tampons, Best Overnight Option: O.B. ", If you do decide to give organic tampons a try, Dr. Ross recommends checking the box for ingredients before buying. Both TikTok users are falling prey to the correlation, not causation trap. What do they know about titanium dioxide that assures them its safe? if (d.getElementById(id)) return; Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. A viral TikTok video is spreading misinformation that an ingredient occasionally found in tampons titanium dioxide can cause cancer. 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. 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. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best 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 conditions they are experiencing like ovarian cysts, miscarriages, UTIs and more. Although there were also doctors and experts trying to quell the panic, like Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, they were, unfortunately, a minority. This is L. tampons are labeled as being made with organic cotton, and the company's marketing promises a simple product: "Only the ingredients you need for the confidence, comfort, and protection you . The 12-page complaint says that despite the front-label promise that the tampons are entirely organic, they contain the non-organic ingredients polyester, glycerin, paraffin and titanium dioxide . And putting the different limits aside, it can be hard to find titanium dioxide on labels because not all companies are required to list it. 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. Menstrual pads get even more complicated with top layers, middle layers of absorbent foam, super absorbent polymers, various waterproof backings, more fragrance, lots of coatings to wick fluid and aid absorption, lotion ingredients like petrolatum, adhesives made with styrene, more titanium dioxide to make it look whiter, as well as colored dyes for pretty designs. And linked it to cancer and damage to the immune system when certain amounts were ingested over a period of time. None. If you use tampons, consider the following: If you have had discomfort or became ill as a result of using a tampon, consider reporting it to MedWatch, the FDAs safety information and adverse event reporting program. For all I know at this time, titanium dioxide in pads and tampons might be just fine, but Im not sure we have the science to prove it. Just because someone had health problems after they used something doesnt necessarily mean an ingredient in that thing caused the problem, Wallace said. Titanium dioxide is commonly found in countless everyday products including food, cosmetics, drugs, paper and toothpaste. Heres What Your Bodys Trying to Tell You, National Library of Medicine: Titanium dioxide, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Questions and Answers: FDA posts deemed final order and proposed order for over-the-counter sunscreen, European Food Safety Authority: Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, New Jersey Department of Health: Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Titanium Dioxide, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: Impact of Food Additive Titanium Dioxide on Gut Microbiota Composition, Microbiota-Associated Functions, and Gut Barrier: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Animal Studies. Understandably, some folks are pretty mad, some are very concerned. I am not into social media. Titanium dioxide is common chemical. Gizmodo reached out to TikTok multiple times on Thursday to ask if it would take any action on content crying wolf about the dangers of titanium dioxide and tampons but did not receive a response. And they made that call after food safety officials said it could damage DNA, which could lead to cancer. One reason is that the FDA evaluates whether a tampon enhances the growth of the bacteria that causes TSS before the product can be legally marketed. As an emergency roomdoctor, there would be many possible (and more likely) emergency room causes of excessive menstrual bleeding that I would evaluate a patient for. 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. womensvoices@womensvoices.org. Given the mixed reviews on the substance, it's obvious why some are concerned about consuming it. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/titanium-dioxide-e171-no-longer-considered-safe-when-used-food-additive, how are all these experts not seeing a connection? A TikTok with more than 3 million views is raising questions about just that. Everyone deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment. This means that farmers could use this herbicide to kill the weeds in their fields without worrying about it harming the cotton crops. According to the company, TiO2 represents less than 0.1% of all the ingredients they use to manufacture their tampons. "I highly recommend these tampons," wrote one customer. Tampons are one method of absorbing menstrual flow during your period. These Veeda tampons are as eco-friendly as they can possibly get. To be blunt, they are worried about the possibility of something happening that has never been demonstrated to happen, Marino said. "[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. They are comfortable and easy to use, just make sure you press down completely on the applicator before removing (it sort of 'clicks' together). "They come in two different sizesregular and superwhich are very convenient depending on the day. Including how tampons affect vaginal bacteria. Inhaling titanium dioxide while you're painting a room or working on a construction site, for example, may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. And not by experts on tiktoc. One shopper called the Top tampons a "must try" before adding, "I've used many different brands of organic tampons. Certainly the laws and the regulatory issues are so paramount because that's how we got into this pickle to begin with, Dr. Cohen said. "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. "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. For example, when the substance is applied via sunscreen, sufficient data have found titanium dioxide to be "generally recognized as safe and effective," per the FDA. Thanks again for sharing your story its voices like yours that can make all the difference. That said, well-known brands like Tampax and L. include TiO2 in their products, while brands like Rael, Cora, and The Honey Pot currently do not have this ingredient in their pads or tampons. $12.59. Estimated ship dimensions: 2.795 inches length x 4.37 inches width x 5.669 inches height. Keep in mind that sometimes titanium dioxide might also be listed as white pigment or pigment white 6 so look for those terms as well. The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. I think seeking solace and guidance from your physician is key because they may also help clarify [and] help with any anxieties that all this information can provoke., Plan for the future: Scranton encourages people to make calls, send emails, and write reviews to the companies or lawmakers in your life. If something is white, it often has titanium dioxide. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved titanium dioxide for human consumption in 1966, cementing its presence in a variety of foods, including candies and other processed foods.. But TiO2 is insoluble in water meaning that it cannot be dissolved into smaller particles. A video with millions of views on TikTok claims titanium dioxide, an ingredient in many tampons, causes cancer and other gynecological and reproductive issues. As a result, it's not too difficult to shop for TiO2-free tampons if you're concernedand have the financial means to do so. National Library of Medicines list Mostly organic produce. There's just a lot of unknowns and I think it requires further investigation, Dr. Olivia Dziadek, gynecologist with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, said. In addition to being gynecologist-tested, the tampons are also biodegradable and free from fragrances, dyes, synthetics, and chemicals. "Didn't get the weird tingling that other tampons can give you. While you may have heard about reusable tampons, the FDA has not cleared or approved these products. So there are lots of ways to be exposed to this chemical. Ask them how they are ensuring the safety of their tampons and pads. Doctors say there's no link between cancer titanium dioxide. "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," Dr. Gohar says. Titanium dioxide exposure would not be on that list. What's great is that people are asking these questions, Scranton said. Even better, for every box of tampons sold in the United States, the brand donates 43 cents to nonprofit organizations to offset the "period tax" and help make period products more accessible to women in need. Rebecca Carhart is a Senior Ecommerce Reviews Writer covering home, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. Pro tip: It can also appear as Pigment White 6 and White Pigment in packaging. Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble, which carries the brands This Is L, Always, and Tampax, has been responding to concerns surrounding titanium dioxide in its products. Read reviews and buy Tampax Pure Cotton Tampons - Super - 24ct at Target. The FDA classifies tampons and pads as medical devices, and thus manufacturers of these products are recommended, but not required, to list their ingredients. And many of these chemicals have been associated with contributing to cancer and other medical problems. With all these questions, we turned to experts for answers. While animal studies give us important information, they cannot be directly generalized to people, Marino said. And certainly there are a few red flags with titanium dioxide, so its not unreasonable to be concerned. In a post on her Vajenda Substack on Wednesday, Gunter said that as a result of the videos on TikTok, she had received panicked messages from women worried that their tampons were the cause of their pre-cancer of the cervix. Myths about aluminum and deodorant, explained, Ive written multiple times in this column. Let's take a moment to review cotton production and the concept of GMO (genetically modified organism) farming. 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. In a somewhat tasteless move, some tamponbrands even tried to take advantage of the fear gripping users on the platform and decided to take advantage of the moment to announce that their products did not have titanium dioxide. This is misleading; the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the compound's use in food and cosmetics, and experts say no studies have proven a link between tampon strings and cancer in humans. These options are often referred to as green alternatives and include: By Andrea Chisholm, MD Certainly, we don't have the data to support that alarmist concern. There are however many brands who do not use this in their period products. Because even my doctor was very confused. "These tampons are fantastic," wrote one customer. The 2023 Complete Python Certification Bootcamp Bundle, Mourning the Loss of Addison Raes Debut Album | The Meme Machine. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. "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. However, titanium dioxide isn't just a popular ingredient in food. Skimm'd by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Maria McCallen, and Kamini Ramdeen-Chowdhury. Gunter also added that when products like titanium dioxide are put on fabric, the point is to have them stay on the fabric. I won't use any other brands after these. our process. In addition, more informative tampon labeling, as well as educational efforts by the FDA and manufacturers, may have contributed to the reduction in TSS cases. But their favorite part seems to be the fact that they are made from 90% plant-based materials. The chemical substance also seems to have a potentially negative impact on the gut microbiome, Dr. Gohar says. Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. So people are like, Okay, it's doing a good thing. Peter Weiss, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN and expert in women's health. Titanium dioxide is in food, cosmetics, dye, tampons. Be cautious and meet with your physician: Always be vigilant and also don't get overwhelmed by what's on the internet, Dr. Dziadek said. A viral TikTok with millions views about how tampons that contain titanium dioxide can cause cancer and other health problems has spurred calls on the platform to throw away all products that match that description. 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. I wanted to do more research before just jumping and following this narrative blindly. Missoula, MT 59807, Visit us in Denver But, before you choose to leave a tampon in for an extended period, we recommend learning about the risks of and how to avoid toxic shock syndrome. ", Price at time of publication: $6.95 for 16 count. While they are not safer to use, there are some benefits to switching to organic tamponsparticularly for environmental reasons. However, trouble arose for the ingredient in 2021 when the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a statement that titanium dioxide "could no longer be considered safe" as a food additive. 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, she wrote. It is also important to note that the high-profile studies in mice showing inflammation and genetic changes involved force ingestion of massive amounts of titanium dioxide, which would not be possible for every day Americans to replicate through consumer product exposures., Marino speculated that the confusion and recent attention to titanium dioxide was related to a 2021 ban of the mineral by the European Food Safety Authority, which cited concern about the mouse data in its decision although even that data did not support the idea that it is a carcinogen.. 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. But it is becoming a controversial chemical. I used this exact brand. ", 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. As the name suggests, these tampons are, indeed, organic, made of cotton and free of synthetic ingredientszero chemicals, fragrances or dyes involved. New study explores the benefits,harms. In the video, which has received nearly eight million views and 1.5 million likes at the time of publication, user Rachel Morgan holds up a box of 100% organic cotton core tampons from the brand L., owned by Proctor & Gamble, and tells user to stop what theyre doing and check the ingredients on the back of the box.