Study after study has flagged concerns about the potential damaging effects of titanium dioxide on organs like the liver and kidney. the she-quel and creator of URJA Intimates skincare products for the vulva and vagina. Also, it may be genotoxic, meaning it can harm your DNA. TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. Skimm'd by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Maria McCallen, and Kamini Ramdeen-Chowdhury. The tampons themselves are bleach, dye, and fragrance-free, and they're made with 100% organic cotton that is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard. But we [also] don't have the data to support, Don't worry about this. According to the company, TiO2 represents less than 0.1% of all the ingredients they use to manufacture their tampons. As the name suggests, these tampons are, indeed, organic, made of cotton and free of synthetic ingredientszero chemicals, fragrances or dyes involved. I wish I could explain what has happened to you and to the others who have responded to the viral TikToks with similar stories of their own. productslearn more about 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. Morgan explains that she learned about the purported dangers of these tampons after TikTok showed her a video of a girl using the same brand that had experienced two weeks of excessive bleeding and extreme pain, ovarian cysts, and irreversible uterine damage. 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. And many of these chemicals have been associated with contributing to cancer and other medical problems. L. Organic Cotton Regular and Super Absorbency Compact Tampons 76CT. Alkaline water:Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Probably, at this point in time, the best answer is, We dont know. Likely the amount of glyphosate in feminine hygiene products is relatively small. I started switching to organic food, so why not beauty/hygiene products as well? Try These OB-GYN-Recommended, Titanium Dioxide-Free Period Products Rael Organic Cotton Tampons ($13.99 for a 32-count box on Amazon.com) August Tampons ($11 for a 16-count box on Itsaugust.co) Diva Cup ($39.99 for one menstrual cup on Divacup.com) Advertisement references Is this an emergency? Shoppers love that these organic Tampax tampons have an applicator that is comfortable and easy to use. 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. It neutralizes smell as well. Do you need an 'armpit detox?' One user shared her anger after learning that the tampons shes been using contain titanium dioxide. Over the years, companies like Dunkin have announced theyre cutting ties with titanium dioxide (which used it for its powdered donuts). Now 12% Off. And since the chemical is in the cotton plant it will also be in the cotton produced from the plant. Are common multivitamins worth the money? This is what manufacturers need to know that people are reading these things and asking these questions.. Thanks, So sorry to hear of your experience it is indeed a frustrating situation. That said, ovarian cysts are not that rare, and it is possible that it is just coincidental with the folks using This is L. tampons but certainly there should be enough reason now to investigate if there are connections. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive. While experts agree more studies need to be done on titanium dioxides potential impact on reproductive health, one person's video is motivating millions of people to take control of their health and question what they consume every day. The FDA has tested and cleared traditionally used tampons for women to use safely and with confidence.". "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. 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. What we need to think about is, if that's what can happen within the gut, there's a lot to be said for what can happen in the vaginal area., Scranton is among the many experts who agree that its a topic that requires more investigation. Exposure to these chemicals can then interfere with important processes in your body. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Tampons? "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. Both TikTok users are falling prey to the correlation, not causation trap. Theyre actually in other brands like Always pads and Tampax tampons. 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. The thread is so soft and they absorb perfectly. And certainly there are a few red flags with titanium dioxide, so its not unreasonable to be concerned. It's protecting you from UV rays. Subscribe to receive Consumer Updates email notifications. Tampax. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. 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. Ask them how they are ensuring the safety of their tampons and pads. Some. Some worry it causes cancer, irregular periods. 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? Titanium Dioxide, or TiO2, is a white coloring agent used in cosmetic products, toothpaste, deodorant, desserts and paint. The reality of life today is that you are bombarded with multiple chemical exposures. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Pro tip: It can also appear as Pigment White 6 and White Pigment in packaging. "They come in two different sizesregular and superwhich are very convenient depending on the day. 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. our process. Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? Andrea Chisolm, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who has taught at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. Peter Weiss, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN and expert in women's health. The suit claims the substance is unfit for human consumption, but the toxicologist stated that the lawsuit is based on gross misinterpretations of the available data to claim a human cancer risk. This is why we fight tirelessly for ingredient transparency and your right to know! Never ever in my life have had an ovarian cyst. Gunter also added that when products like titanium dioxide are put on fabric, the point is to have them stay on the fabric. But while many want to try and put two and two together, the bottom line is that there isnt enough data to confirm the claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is causing the ovarian cysts and other issues people are describing. Tampax comes in light, regular, and super absorbencies and . Organyc 100% Certified Organic Cotton Tampons. As of the time of publication of this article, Morgans TikTok as well as others on the subject with the hashtag #titaniumdioxide were still on the platform racking up views. Tampons cleared by the FDA are meant to be used one time and then thrown away. This finding prompted the European Union to ban TiO2 as a food additive earlier this year, but in the U.S., the ingredient is still considered to be safe in food at the limits set by the FDA. Tampons are not intended to be used at any other time or . He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx. With 8 million views, this instance shows the impact of a TikTokdespite the actual evidence to the contrary. Titanium dioxide is a white powder and a common ingredient in many products. A recent TikTok video went viral with the false claim that the titanium dioxide used in L. brand organic tampons is responsible for miscarriages, cancer and a host of other medical problems. Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: (406) 543-3747 If you can find products that don't have them, that's gonna lessen your exposure., Follow the less is more approach: Meaning [the] lowest possible use of anything that has not been tested properly, Dr. Cohen said. This is totally safe.. Because even my doctor was very confused. We know from rat studies, rats that inhale it are getting lung cancer.. In addition to being made with 100% natural cotton, the tampons don't come with any applicators, so no excess materials need to be thrown away. And is used as a coloring agent to brighten and whiten things like period products. I wear zero makeup. 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. Thanks again for sharing your story its voices like yours that can make all the difference. Cause-and-effect can only be established by rigorous randomized-control, double-blindclinical research trials or meta-analyses of multiple smaller studies, for example. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. "According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), regulated doses of titanium dioxide are not harmful, but this also varies based on use," Dr. Gohar says. Here's what the experts suggest Keep it simple: Things like colorants, whiteners, and fragrances are not necessary to the product, Scranton said. Tampons are one method of absorbing menstrual flow during your period. ", Price at time of publication: $12.74 for 16 count. ", Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Flynn agree that it's okay to approach the ingredient with caution. According to the brand, the tampons feature a unique design that keeps "fluids locked in the core for added security. In addition, Gunter stated that this wouldnt apply anyway because no one is washing a tampon and reusing it, anyway. Pain Inserting a Tampon? That environment includes where you live, work, play, and pray. They are comfortable and easy to use, just make sure you press down completely on the applicator before removing (it sort of 'clicks' together). Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Addressing a popular TikTok concern over titanium dioxide getting absorbed by the vagina, Gunter said that this doesnt happen because of titanium dioxides chemical composition. It also appears insunscreen and cosmetics, two categories in which the ingredient is also generally considered safe. But TiO2 is insoluble in water meaning that it cannot be dissolved into smaller particles. 1031 33rd Street Glyphosateis from a class of chemicals known as endocrine disrupters. While most options on this list are more expensive than other tampons you can find in the aisles of your favorite drugstore, Just's tampons are as affordable as they are eco-friendly. I just think its important to not think that because we see one TikTok of somebody having a problem and [saying] this is what caused it to understand that thats not the most scientific way to figure out whats going on., We may earn a commission from links on this page. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Dr. Eyvazzadeh. 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. "Organic tampon companies make claims that the organic tampons are composed of 100% organic cotton, free of chemicals, rayon and synthetics, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, not bleached with chlorine, dioxin free, and free of additive chemicals that may be harmful to a women's health," said Sherry A. Ross, MD, an ob-gyn, author of she-ology and she-ology. Tens of thousands of users have flooded the comments many claiming to have had similar experiences. "I love that these are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and non-toxic," wrote one. How well do you know the ingredients in the foods you eat or products you use every day? Wallace told Gizmodo in an email that anecdotal stories like the one in Morgans TikTok go viral all the time because they are sensational and get a lot of shares and comments. Titanium dioxide is in food, cosmetics, dye, tampons. Ultimately the end product produced from the cotton may also contain some amount of the chemical. What's great is that people are asking these questions, Scranton said. In 2021, the EFSA ruled that titanium dioxide is unsafe as a food additive and is suspected of causing cancer. 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.. They also like the fact that the tampons are gynecologist-approved and from a women-owned business. Marino emphasized that this is only when the mineral is inhaled and that it has only been demonstrated to be a true concern in rats, not humans. Here are 11 organic tampons that reviewers love. ", 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. oft-cited study that shows that chronic high-level exposure of inhaled TiO2 could be linked to lung cancer in rats, expressed concern that TiO2 particles in food additives could accumulate over time in the body, the FDA continues to allow for safe use of TiO2 as a food additive, Why Epsom salt should be a staple in your home medicine cabinet, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Inhalation: can cause irritation of nose and throat at high concentrations, Eyes: can cause mild irritation as a foreign body sensation but tearing and blinking can safely remove the particles. Walmart customers love these super plus organic cotton tampons from Lola so much, they have given them an impressive 4.3-star rating. OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? Certainly, we don't have the data to support that alarmist concern. He is also a former United States Peace Corps Volunteer. Very pleased with these. Overall, what i know is there is two types of titanium dioxide but now the food grade is considered unfit for Skittles. Not only are the tampons made from 100% certified organic cotton, but the rounded cardboard applicators are fully biodegradable, making them a fantastic eco-friendly product. According to Dr. Aly Cohen, founder & medical director of The Smart Human LLC, all of these studies are different. 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. Given the mixed reviews on the substance, it's obvious why some are concerned about consuming it. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; This means that farmers could use this herbicide to kill the weeds in their fields without worrying about it harming the cotton crops. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? The other thing that we know [about titanium dioxide is] you don't wanna inhale it, Scranton said. When inhaled repeatedly, this white powder can irritate the lungs, causing problems like bronchitis or even lung cancer, as it's been shown to be a known carcinogen in animals, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. I cant guarantee that the FDA will take any immediate action, but it can help get their attention, if they see a number of reports associated with a product. [My container] doesnt say it, but its getting thrown out regardless, because how can I consciously just be like, Oh sure, yeah, I trust you. So yeah, go check your fucking box and if you had any adverse symptoms like her, call a fucking lawyer.. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring. And do not smoke. The FDA classifies tampons and pads as medical devices, and thus manufacturers of these products are recommended, but not required, to list their ingredients.
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