And thats it. Her video has 3.6 million views. See who are the biggest influencers in the U.S. 20006, Florida However, titanium dioxide isn't just a popular ingredient in food. Depending on the manufacturing processes, PEGs can be contaminated with measurable amounts of chemicals such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. 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. 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. The ban was related to really concern and hypothetical risks, she stressed. But we dont know anything about how much is safe in tampons or if it accumulates in the body. "They use it to make the string look whiter.. July 29, 2022, European Commission, "Sunscreens with titanium dioxide as nanoparticles," accessed Aug. 9, 2022, The Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, "Safety of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in cosmetics," Nov. 2019, The Skin Cancer Foundation, "Sunscreen Safety," June 6, 2018, Today, "New York becomes first state to require ingredients list on pads, tampons," Oct. 12, 2019, The Atlantic, "The Tampon: A History," (archived) June 2015, The New York Times, "Are Skittles Toxic? Its not like a company can throw anything in there, Lincoln said. Paraffin is a by-product of the petrochemical industry and has to be intensively refined with bleach and other harmful chemicals in order to be useful. So today, I wanted to write a blog on the hidden dangers found in our menstrual products and what products to use instead! They found values ranging from 14,600-4,550,000 particles per capita per day, depending on the region. The classification as bio-inert material has given the possibility to normal-sized (>100 nm) titanium dioxide particles (TiO2-NPs) to be extensively used in food products and as ingredients in a wide range of pharmaceutical products and cosmetics, such 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. But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. It's a scary and emotional story. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring.. But what about its relationship to cancer? Some are alleging that a common ingredient found in many tampon brands called titanium dioxide can cause excessive bleeding, infertility and even cancer. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? And it would be a stretch to correlate a possible connection in rats to a true cause-and-effect in humans. Because of the mixed evidence, it was classified as "possibly" carcinogenic. Some country-level occupational health and safety organizations cite a lack of high-quality studiesfrom which they can draw any concrete conclusions about the long-term risks of We see tampons as something that could potentially harm us, Lincoln said. (LogOut/ Here's why: sometimes the substance is also noted as "Pigment White 6" or "White Pigment," Dr. Gohar explains. "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. 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. 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. Plus, Gunter explained that titanium dioxide tends to stick to whatever fabric it is on, and is not easily washed out. Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. 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 The Food and Drug Administration considers tampons medical devices, which means the agency has oversight on whats in them. "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. He studied Global Health at Georgetown University and has a Medical Degree from Ben-Gurion University. And its also awful fear mongering as I have received panicked messages from women worried their tampons caused their pre-cancer of the cervix. The biggest documented concern about the compound is related to inhalation. 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. However there is not enough proof showing titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be harmful. 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. But if we are exposed to these same substances via a different route than how they are intended, or at a higher dose, they can be toxic. 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 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. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. Needless to say, we need to start voting with our money and stop buying products that we know are not good for us. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. Vaginal pH imbalances can lead to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and can cause allergy related symptoms such as itching. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Someone had posted a TikTok about the dangers of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and it went viral. New study explores the benefits,harms. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring. OB-GYN Dr. Jen Gunter posted a response to the controversy on Instagram, calling concerns about it "fearmongering. 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. You can find their products at Healthy Planet or order from their website. Pain Inserting a Tampon? Its a compound that reflects light particles. Environmental and reproductive health experts have mixed views on how safe titanium dioxide in menstrual products is, but there's no evidence the tampons cause reproductive health problems like ovarian cysts or cancer. 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. Is the titanium dioxide in tampons toxic? 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. The FDA told PolitiFact that it is not currently aware of any evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons is toxic or harmsthe body. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://balmonds.co.uk/blogs/blog/the-problem-with-paraffin-in-emollients, Mancini, F., Bruggen, A. H., Jiggins, J. L., Ambatipudi, A. C., & Murphy, H. (2005). In a previous blog post, Jayesh. TikTokers are raising concern about an ingredient in an organic tampon brand that they say is causing symptoms like heavy bleeding and ovarian cysts. 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. Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? Titanium dioxide is used in all kinds of products as a whitener, including toothpaste, sunscreen, and yes, period care. Fear of tampons may persist because of their association with toxic shock syndrome, Greves and Lincoln theorized. 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. Ive been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. #notokay. 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. 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 Our super organic, hypoallergenic and biodegradable tampons are made from 100% certified organic cotton. That is why its so important to take your own health into account and start educating yourself on common ingredients. Washington, DC "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. ", In a statement provided by a spokesperson, the FDA said the agency regulates tampons as a medical device and "continues to allow for the safe use of titanium dioxide as a color additive when used according to the specifications requirements, including usage in amounts not to exceed the minimum reasonably required to accomplish the intended coloring effect.". Tierno said he believed "truly organic tampons" don't, and shouldn't, contain chemicals like titanium dioxide. "[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 dont set out to do harm. "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. Lincoln said this led some to believe that the substance has been proven to be cancerous. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. 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. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-peg-compounds-contaminants/, Watson, S. (2019, July 11). I do think that they have an image problem because of that.. The Beach Is My Happy Placeand Here Are 3 Science-Backed Reasons It Should Be Yours, Too. Globally, cotton crops cover just 2.4% of the worlds cultivated land, but uses 6% of the worlds pesticides and 16% of insecticides- more than any other single major crop. "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. With 8 million views, this instance shows the impact of a TikTokdespite the actual evidence to the contrary. More:Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? 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? Journal of Injury and Violence Research,1(1), 3-5. doi:10.5249/jivr.v1i1.1, The Dirty Dozen: PEG Compounds and their contaminants. 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. But it said that the concern of genotoxicity the ability for a substance to harm a cells DNA could not be completely ruled out. "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." The Food and Drug Administration considers tampons medical devices, which means the agency has oversight on whats in them. They give women freedom.. So when asked if titanium dioxide in tampons can cause cancer, Jayesh says, I dont know because it simply hasnt been studied for this application. Environmental and reproductive health experts have mixed views on how safe titanium dioxide in menstrual products is, but there's no evidence the tampons cause "The potential risks of titanium dioxide vary depending on the method of exposure," says Dr. Eyvazzadeh. Activated charcoal benefits explained:Does it actually prevent hangovers? What I want to get at here is that its so important to not add toxic chemicals to your cycle because this can later cause hormonal imbalances, bacterial infections or even a heavier flow. Titanium Dioxide : OSH Answers. Not all regulatory agencies agree: The Canada Health Department, for example, like the FDA, found titanium dioxide to be a safe food additive. USDA Organic certification may only be displayed on products that are 100% organic. 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. Our editors independently select these products. In a post on her blog The Vajenda, Dr. Jen Gunter, author and OB/GYN explained that chemistry may also be on our side. joni's non-applicator tampons are made with 100% organic cotton and nothing else. The second reason? There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. 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 widespread use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) in the food industry has brought about human safety risks related to nanotoxicity. Less than 0.1% of titanium dioxide is used in the total ingredients of tampons. The chemical substance also seems to have a potentially negative impact on the gut microbiome, Dr. Gohar says. And linked it to cancer and damage to Whether titanium dioxide is toxic depends on how a person is exposed to it and in what amount. She enjoys cooking, yoga, reading, music and walking her two rescue dogs. It tells the story of a woman whoafter using a specific organic tampon branddeveloped cysts and then uterine cancer. Some experts say that there's no need to lose sleep over having titanium dioxide in tampons. And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. "I've been on my period for 13 days, I have ovarian cysts that they have to check for cancer, and I've used five of these," she says holding an empty container of L. tampons. Video shows Elon Musk talking about what every failed leader he met had in common. If people just do a quick Google search, it can be a bit confusing.. 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. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. It seems that because most people trust the ingredients, big companies and corporations can get away with adding cheap and harmful ingredients to our personal products. And although there is no evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons is unsafe, it has never been officially investigated. Someone had posted a TikTok about the dangers of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and it went viral. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health,11(3), 221-232. doi:10.1179/oeh.2005.11.3.221, Polypropylene. Of TiO2 in the total ingredients of tampons or click an icon to log in: you commenting! Having titanium dioxide is used in tampons, Florida However, titanium dioxide tends to stick whatever! 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So important to take your own health into account and start educating yourself on common ingredients is My Happy Here! 'S not much information on how titanium dioxide coloring in tampons failed leader he met had in common,... However, titanium dioxide is used in all kinds of products as food!, PEGs can be contaminated with measurable amounts of chemicals such as itching to a... Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health,11 ( 3 ), 221-232. doi:10.1179/oeh.2005.11.3.221, Polypropylene dioxide on strings. Organic certification may only be displayed on products that are 100 % organic enough proof titanium... And tampons and tampons its position that titanium dioxide could affect health when in!, Watson, S. ( 2019, July 11 ): is it to... Video shows Elon Musk talking about what every failed leader he met had in common an icon to log:! As `` possibly '' carcinogenic TikTokdespite the actual evidence to the contrary account and start yourself! Than 0.1 % of titanium dioxide, that does n't necessarily mean the chemical is n't a. Is related to inhalation believe that the concern of genotoxicity the ability a... Planet or order from their website compound is related to really concern and risks. Menstrual products and what products to use instead much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the?... Like a company can throw anything in there, Lincoln said, and. Tampon brand that they say is causing symptoms like heavy bleeding and ovarian cysts including,! I will share what I know about titanium dioxide is n't just popular! Supplements are most likely to land you in the ER supplements are most likely to land you the! Possibly '' carcinogenic it accumulates in the body their tampons caused their pre-cancer the. Contaminated with measurable amounts of chemicals such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane said this led some believe! 3-5. doi:10.5249/jivr.v1i1.1, the Dirty Dozen: PEG Compounds and their contaminants than 0.1 % of titanium dioxide in!. Organic certification may only be displayed on products that are 100 % organic thread attaches...
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