polyester, glycerin, paraffin, titanium dioxide. 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. In 2021, the EFSA ruled that titanium dioxide is unsafe as a food additive and is suspected of causing cancer. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast.
Tampon safety scare goes viral on TikTok - New York Post Theyre actually in other brands like Always pads and Tampax tampons.
"Organic" Tampon Brand Exposed for using Cancer-Causing Titanium Dioxide Thanks again for sharing your story its voices like yours that can make all the difference. The virtual freak out on TikTok over titanium dioxidea natural mineral approved by the Food and Drug Administration that is used in a variety of products, including sunscreen, cosmetics, food, and toothpasteappears to have started with one video posted at the beginning of the week. Both TikTok users are falling prey to the correlation, not causation trap.
So heres a refresher: Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral. 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. And then look up and vet the products that we do have available.. A TikTok with more than 3 million views is raising questions about just that. 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. Are common multivitamins worth the money? The TikTok user who posted the video makes theclaim that TiO2 has been linked to cancer and multiple gynecological issues. Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. And that's a really good thing to drive science [and] safer products. Have a beautiful child. According to the brand, these organic O.b. $12.59. 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. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? New study explores the benefits,harms. If you have sensitive skin, these hypoallergenic, certified organic cotton tampons from Cora might be just what you're looking for. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (function(d, s, id) { Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. 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. Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. Estimated ship . Tampons cleared by the FDA are meant to be used one time and then thrown away. Her job is to pore over ingredient lists and other scientific studies to find out what we know about the chemicals that are in our products and what their exposure could mean. Wash your hands before and after using a tampon. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; Hundreds of Amazon shoppers love these organic cotton tampons from Seventh Generation because of their comfortable, dual-layer design that prevents leaks. 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. But no matter what your period product preference, you shouldn't be worried about whether it can harm your health. Gunter also added that when products like titanium dioxide are put on fabric, the point is to have them stay on the fabric. "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.".
L. Organic 100% Cotton Core Tampons Regular, 76 Count Other videos on TikTok pointed out that Mars, Inc. is currently being sued for not disclosing that Skittles contained titanium dioxide. ', Consuming it orally appears to be a different story. Tampax. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. How Bad Is It Really to Use Baby Powder 'Down There?'. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. "Didn't get the weird tingling that other tampons can give you. 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. These are the best organic tampons to shop for: With nearly 3,000 five-star ratings, these organic tampons from Organyc are an Amazon favorite. "Minimal waste and perfect for everyone especially those that are extra sensitive. Hundreds of Walmart shoppers have given the tampons a near-perfect rating, with many raving about how they're absorbent and comfortable. According to the suit, 80 percent of the tampons' ingredients are "not cotton," and 60 percent of the ingredients are "not organic," as . 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. The FDA discourages the use of reusable tampons. But, again, further study is needed.. While animal studies give us important information, they cannot be directly generalized to people, Marino said. Andrea Chisolm, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who has taught at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. 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. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. 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. Are We Seeing the End of Scented Tampons? Used these This is L. Tampons for 2 cycles and now have a 6cm cyst, bleeding for almost 2 weeks straight, blood tests, doctors visits and now having to pay over $l000 for two sonograms. Dr. Cohen agrees, saying its important to hold legislators to a higher standard in making sure that they follow through with legislation that really does make sense, like the New York policy.. At TOTM, we can confirm that we do not use titanium dioxide at any stage of our . 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. "As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth's crust and is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron. 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. That being said, you may choose to avoid this particular potential exposure. Only use tampons when you have your period. https://www.ccohs.ca/headlines/text186.html, [2] EFSA (2021) Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive. In addition, Marino stated that nanoparticles of titanium dioxide have been shown to cause inflammatory responses and potentially genetic damage in mice, but again pointed out that this has not occurred in humans. "You will want to make sure they 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.". Also Im not looking for attention. "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. our process. And, spoiler: Its in plenty of other products you probably use in your day-to-day life. 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Switch it up: Try something different for a month particularly if you're having some sort of acute reaction and see how you feel, Scranton suggested. These are by far the most comfortable, reliable, and absorbent. Alkaline water:Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? An official website of the United States government, Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts, The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely. It wasnt that long ago (read: 2020) that a New York law requiring ingredients to be listed in period product packaging went into effect. But first. No rayon, dyes, perfumes, colors, or chlorine is used to make them either. Considering each pack comes with 32 tampons, their price isn't even that bad for an all-organic product! He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx. Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. In an email statement to theSkimm, the FDA said it has not received any medical device reports related to titanium dioxide and menstrual products. And added that it requires manufacturers to evaluate their period products safety in a number of ways. the she-quel and creator of URJA Intimates skincare products for the vulva and vagina. It gets used in a LOT of products and its probably been in tampons and pads for a long time (just never listed on the label before). So what do you do instead? 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. So we talked to gynecologists to get the scoop on everything you need to know about organic tampons. What do they know about titanium dioxide that assures them its safe? If you prefer to use cardboard applicators, check out these tampons from Oi. 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. Titanium Dioxide, or TiO2, is a white coloring agent used in cosmetic products, toothpaste, deodorant, desserts and paint. These are the best organic tampons to shop for: Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
In Turmoil Over Tampons, Scientists See a Need for More Study But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive. of using pads and tampons with titanium dioxidewe just don't know for certain. Research has shown that fabrics with titanium dioxide that are washed repeatedly release very little of the mineral, she 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. We should be able to make a period product that does not lead to cysts! This means that farmers could use this herbicide to kill the weeds in their fields without worrying about it harming the cotton crops. That brings us to. How Bad Is It Really to Wear a Tampon for Longer Than 8 Hours? And certainly there are a few red flags with titanium dioxide, so its not unreasonable to be concerned. And live a healthy lifestyle. }(document, 'script', 'advocacy-actionwidget-code')); Womens Voices for the Earth Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. Titanium dioxide might be one of these. 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. So there are lots of ways to be exposed to this chemical. And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. A video with millions of views on TikTok claims titanium dioxide, an ingredient in many tampons, causes cancer and other gynecological and reproductive issues. By now, you may have seen the viral video of the girl finding Titanium Dioxide and Polyester in her L Organic tampons and what's crazy is, I even had some of the same brand here at home. Experts that spoke to Gizmodo also insisted that there is no evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons, other topical products (sunscreen), and food is unsafe to humans as it currently used. According to the brand, the tampons feature a unique design that keeps "fluids locked in the core for added security. WVEs Director of Science and Research, Alex Scranton, addresses your questions about titanium dioxide in tampons and pads in this session of #AskAlex. Once again we are reminded how important it is that we have ingredient information, and how woefully under-researched the potential impacts that ingredients used in menstrual products and intimate care products might be having on vaginal and vulvar health. I found a TikTok talking about L Organic Tampons and how they have titanium dioxide in them for coloring. Titanium dioxide is common chemical. And since the chemical is in the cotton plant it will also be in the cotton produced from the plant. Read our, What Exposure Could Mean for Your Reproductive Health. Lets look at the concerns around todays feminine hygiene products, specifically national brand tampons and pads. If that is the case, you can avoid glyphosate by using alternative feminine hygiene products. "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. Think: Many of them are animal studies. I would recommend sharing your story with the company they have long claimed that they get very few complaints for their period products, which we believe to be a lack of reporting rather than a lack of problems. Made with a 100% cotton core, the company's feminine care products are produced without any dyes, fragrances, or chlorine bleaching. But their favorite part seems to be the fact that they are made from 90% plant-based materials. 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. Organyc 100% Certified Organic Cotton Tampons. 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. What we have now is some really interesting studies on titanium dioxide, showing that there's a disruption of the gut microbiome when you ingest it, Dr. Cohen said. The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. 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. Regarding risk of cancer, there is an oft-cited study that shows that chronic high-level exposure of inhaled TiO2 could be linked to lung cancer in rats. 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. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the As for the potential risks (or lack thereof!) But what does it mean for tampons, pads, and reproductive health overall? Not surprisingly, because it is easier to spray weeds than it is to remove them by hand or machine, farmers started using more and more of this herbicide. Tampons cleared by the FDA are meant to be used one time and then thrown away.