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. Titanium dioxide can also be in food, according to the National Library of Medicine. Cause-and-effect can only be established by rigorous randomized-control, double-blindclinical research trials or meta-analyses of multiple smaller studies, for example. "Psa to all my girlies," the July 31 post said. But it said that the concern of genotoxicity the ability for a substance to harm a cells DNA could not be completely ruled out. Genetically modified cotton was introduced in 1996 (only 25 years ago) and is thought to be one of the worlds dirtiest crops. #notokay. Several viral videos posted to TikTok and Instagram have claimed titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, is harmful for people who use tampons. One of our founding values at joni is radical transparency. The Food and Drug Administration considers tampons medical devices, which means the agency has oversight on whats in them. While it sounds scary, the experts stress theres little truth behind these worries. Vaginal pH imbalances can lead to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and can cause allergy related symptoms such as itching. They found values ranging from 14,600-4,550,000 particles per capita per day, depending on the region. 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. Her video has 3.6 million views. Less than 0.1% of titanium dioxide is used in the total ingredients of tampons. An additional two satellite groups underwent the same protocol for 45 days and for Fortunately, many new wave period-care companies are extremely transparent about their ingredients lists. Additionally, ethylene oxide can also harm the nervous system and has been classified as a developmental toxicant by the California Environmental Protection Agency. 801 3rd St. S I am less concerned with the level of titanium dioxide in tamponsthan I am with how social media users dangerously, and unchecked, amplifymisinformation. joni's non-applicator tampons are made with 100% organic cotton and nothing else. Titanium dioxide exposure would not be on that list. 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. In fact, joni tampons are 100% organic cotton. Fear of tampons may persist because of their association with toxic shock syndrome, Greves and Lincoln theorized. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide." "As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth's crust and is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! Titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in many products to make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. If youre looking for a healthier alternative to your personal care products, check out Natracare. Journal of Injury and Violence Research,1(1), 3-5. doi:10.5249/jivr.v1i1.1, The Dirty Dozen: PEG Compounds and their contaminants. And although there is no evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons is unsafe, it has never been officially investigated. Epidemiological 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. Video of the Day We spoke to ob-gyn James A. Gohar, MD , co-founder and CEO of Viva Eve , to set the record Titanium dioxide is used in all kinds of products as a whitener, including toothpaste, sunscreen, and yes, period care. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. Tampons require the FDAs premarket review evaluating the products safety and effectiveness. 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. 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. "They use it to make the string look whiter.. To say this guy likes his scientific studies is an understatement. It tells the story of a woman whoafter using a specific organic tampon branddeveloped cysts and then uterine cancer. Throughout the week of our actual menstrual cycle, it is so important to allow your body to do a full cleanse! 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. Period. Its on the string so its not even in the part of the tampon thats inside the vagina," Lincoln said. Sunscreen can safely contain up to 25% titanium dioxide. Examples of this include the follicular phase, ovulatory phase and the luteal phase. Ive been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. As I mentioned earlier, vaginal pH imbalances can lead to different bacterial and fungal infections. However, titanium dioxide isn't just a popular ingredient in food. We know its very important to remove the tampon, not to leave it in., Added Lincoln: I also think this is just my theory that anything that goes in the vagina, in this country, were somewhat scared of it. "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. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before. Theyve got their ingredients listed on the box and on their website.. Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. Existing research sheds little conclusive light on this claim. 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 very commonly used as a natural mineral and has been studied in rodents.. The safest bet, according to Tierno, is to use pads. They dont set out to do harm. At joni, were also proud to have ECO-CERT certified, which also oversees responsible production, recyclable packaging, and the responsible use of resources. I also love that they use 100% organic cotton, are plastic & fragrance free, totally chlorine free and are biodegradable! IE 11 is not supported. What is Titanium Dioxide (and should you be worried)? The widespread use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) in the food industry has brought about human safety risks related to nanotoxicity. 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. But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. 20006, Florida However, that is unfortunately not the case for pads and tampons. Toxins released from rayon can also rarely cause tissue necrosis for people who regularly wear clothing made of this fabric. Titanium Dioxide : OSH Answers. 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 Sun is out of place, the Moon is out of place and the stars are out of place. Full disclosure: our ingredient list is simple and does not contain titanium dioxide or any other chemicals or fragrances. 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. Some experts say that there's no need to lose sleep over having titanium dioxide in tampons. Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. 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. And yet, without any studies, we cannot rule out the possibility that titanium dioxide is not safe. So inhalation at higher concentrations may not be advisable, but inhalation clearly isnt a risk when tampons are used according to their intended purpose. But no matter what your period product preference, you shouldn't be worried about whether it can harm your health. This means that youll find absolutely no titanium dioxide in them or any other toxic substances, synthetic fibres, chemical residues, dyes, pesticides, chlorine bleach or fragrances. "While most cosmetic products will disclose whether or not titanium dioxide is an ingredientsome states require itit is important to note that the FDA does not currently require brands to disclose this information.". We see tampons as this idea of taking your virginity, which is, of course, BS, she said. National Library of Medicines list 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. 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. And thats it. Titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in many products to make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. After a viral TikTok warned that a common ingredient in tampons was linked to cancer, many were left wondering if their preferred menstrual products were harming their bodies. 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 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. TiO2 was nevertheless banned as a food additive in the EU as of this month. There are many substances, including medications, that we safely encounter or consume on a regular basis. 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. Inhaling titanium dioxide may also result in adverse respiratory reactions, Dr. Gohar says. In a previous blog post, Jayesh. Try These OB-GYN-Recommended, Titanium Dioxide-Free Period Products . 727-821-9494. The video has 630,000 views and nearly 14,00 comments. (2020, February 12). It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. Because exposure levels are very low, it is likely this is a very low carcinogenic risk. Another TikToker, zt0n3r.hippie, responded by saying "now I know" the cause of her own reproductive health problems. 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 Preventing paraffin-related injury. Titanium dioxide has bubbled up to the top of our feed again, but this time it's not in Skittles, it's in tampons. Some people on TikTok are alleging the ingredient can lead to all 33701 As for the potential risks (or lack thereof!) Someone had posted a TikTok about the dangers of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and it went viral. 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. This ensures the product has been tested, and undergoes regular testing, to meet specific standards. 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. If people just do a quick Google search, it can be a bit confusing.. This brand is my go to- you can find it at Loblaws or even Amazon! They are very similar to Natracare and do not contain genetically modified cotton or any of the other chemicals that we discussed. Vaginal pH imbalances can lead . If theyre using titanium dioxide, its because related studies have shown it doesnt pose a threat. 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. "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. They have teams of scientists and gynecologists. Zero.. 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. Cancer is a complex phenomenon that can be correlated with many factors. We see tampons as something that could potentially harm us, Lincoln said. "[P]revious studies have shown that titanium dioxide can cause alterations to the reproductive system, including reducing the ovarian follicles and leading to the formation of ovarian cysts," she says. Passionate about periods? But we dont know anything about how much is safe in tampons or if it accumulates in the body. "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. This greatly demonstrates that propylene plastics release micro plastics into our bodies and can have damaging health effects. 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. 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. In each of those cases, the cancer was found to be correlational but not causational. If you Google titanium dioxide and cancer, you are going to see studies that show it has been linked with cancer. 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.. In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive. Is this an emergency? Titanium dioxide is a common ingredient in tampons, and tampon use has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm. That determination prompted authorities in the European Union to ban the substance as a food additive. "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. "If this worries you, then don't use products that have this," Jennifer Lincoln, MD, shared in a video. Pain Inserting a Tampon? Sign up for notifications from Insider! 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. 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. ", Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Flynn agree that it's okay to approach the ingredient with caution. 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