Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. We need to know the truth about tampons. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. That is why its so important to take your own health into account and start educating yourself on common ingredients. Thank you so much for reading my blog! In other words, over the billions of tampons used, a handful of cases have found that tampons contributed to cancer but did not cause cancer. Titanium dioxide might be one of these. That determination prompted authorities in the European Union to ban the substance as a food additive. In Canada and the USA, organic claims must be verifiable but only a percentage of the product needs to be organic, and that percentage must be displayed. Another TikToker, zt0n3r.hippie, responded by saying "now I know" the cause of her own reproductive health problems. 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. Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. "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." 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. 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. If you Google titanium dioxide and cancer, you are going to see studies that show it has been linked with cancer. 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. The second reason? 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. This ensures the product has been tested, and undergoes regular testing, to meet specific standards. So today, I wanted to write a blog on the hidden dangers found in our menstrual products and what products to use instead! They dont set out to do harm. Theyve got their ingredients listed on the box and on their website.. Get it daily. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring.. Titanium Dioxide : OSH Answers. Wang, J. J. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? If people just do a quick Google search, it can be a bit confusing.. Its on the string so its not even in the part of the tampon thats inside the vagina," Lincoln said. 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. Its a compound that reflects light particles. "To date, there is no published research that has researched the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Eyvazzadeh said. 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. ", "Titanium dioxide is not an issue," she said, adding that "titanium dioxide doesn't cause reproductive harm when it's on a tampon string.". But we dont know anything about how much is safe in tampons or if it accumulates in the body. The TikTok user who posted the video makes theclaim that TiO2 has been linked to cancer and multiple gynecological issues. "Psa to all my girlies," the July 31 post said. Its pretty worth enough for me. Theyre really tightly regulated. "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." We definitely need more activism and awareness around this issue! So are organic tampons better? Organic doesnt necessarily mean better and non-organic doesnt equal danger. While the EFSA in the United States declared titanium dioxide unsafe as a food additive in 2021, the FDA has ruled it safe for use as a colorant. If you Google titanium dioxide and cancer, you are going to see studies that show it has been linked with cancer. 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. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. See who are the biggest influencers in the U.S. If theyre using titanium dioxide, its because related studies have shown it doesnt pose a threat. Zero.. This may sound great for fashion and clothing, but it does not belong in our bodies! So now that you know why you should avoid conventional menstrual products at all costs, lets explore some healthier alternatives and brands! The Food and Drug Administration considers tampons medical devices, which means the agency has oversight on whats in them. Still, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has an established what it calls a "permissible exposure limit" to keep industry workers safe. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. She discovered the tampons she was using lists titanium dioxide as an ingredient, which she blames for her health issues. 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.. 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. But what about its relationship to cancer? Its a compound that reflects light particles. Are Skittles Toxic from Titanium Dioxide? "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. While it sounds scary, the experts stress theres little truth behind these worries. Stay up to date with what you want to know. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! 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. Our super organic, hypoallergenic and biodegradable tampons are made from 100% certified organic cotton. Sunscreen, for example, can have up to 25% titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and both the FDA and EU consider it to be safe. I really appreciate your positive feedback . Tampons require the FDAs premarket review evaluating the products safety and effectiveness. "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. These days, in the United States, there are fewer than 20,000 cases of TSS a year, Greves said: Toxic shock syndrome is definitely less common simply because now were educated. The decision was based on available scientific research which, although not totally conclusive, found that an accumulation of titanium dioxide in the body could possibly contribute to genotoxicity (i.e., damage at the DNA level that may lead to cancer). Depending on the manufacturing processes, PEGs can be contaminated with measurable amounts of chemicals such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Ive written multiple times in this columnabout how an observed association between two events or variables does not necessarily mean that one caused the other. View all posts by Sara Mastrangelo. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Because exposure levels are very low, it is likely this is a very low carcinogenic risk. 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. according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service, Periods happen: Heres how 2 sisters are normalizing the taboo, Lauren Wasser, model who lost leg to toxic shock syndrome, speaks out, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I am less concerned with the level of titanium dioxide in tamponsthan I am with how social media users dangerously, and unchecked, amplifymisinformation. 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. She enjoys cooking, yoga, reading, music and walking her two rescue dogs. We disclose every ingredient we use in our products to inform and educate so you can make the best decision for your body. More:Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? 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 Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) occurs when a super-absorbent tampons is inserted for longer than medically recommended, which may lead certain types of bacteria to grow. The chemical substance also seems to have a potentially negative impact on the gut microbiome, Dr. Gohar says. 801 3rd St. S Sign up for notifications from Insider! Titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in many products to make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. What is Titanium Dioxide (and should you be worried)? Although the vagina is a mucous membrane through which a chemical could be absorbed we dont know for sure if this actually happens and if it does how much glyphosate is actually absorbed. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypropylene#Health_concerns, Rayon (Viscose). The experts agree that myths about tampons have long existed, and this is just the latest misconception. TiO2 was nevertheless banned as a food additive in the EU as of this month. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.). Once that social media seed is planted, it is extremely difficult to convince people otherwise. Since 1966, the Food and Drug Administration has recognized titanium dioxide as a safe colorant in food, reported The New York Times, as long as it is less than 1% of the foods total weight. The product in question in the TikTok video is one that is labeled as organic and yet it contains titanium dioxide. Image shows Paul Pelosi, bruised, in a booking mugshot. Is Titanium Dioxide Safe in Tampons? California has twice the population of New York, but spends $260 billion, while New York spends $220 billion. Check out my personalized services and be sure to follow me on Instagram for updates , Carbon disulfide US EPA. Cause-and-effect can only be established by rigorous randomized-control, double-blindclinical research trials or meta-analyses of multiple smaller studies, for example. The use of titanium dioxide in tampons is not explicitly regulated, because the agency only "makes clearance or approval decisions for medical devices, such as tampons, pads, and menstrual cups, as they are supplied in their final, finished form," the FDA spokesperson said. Theres really two reasons why people think that it could cause cancer, and I can understand why because its confusing, Lincoln, an OB-GYN and author of the book, Lets Talk about Down There: An OB-GYN Answers all Your Burning Questions Without Making You Feel Embarrassed for Asking, told TODAY. (That's slowly changing after New York passed a law requiring ingredients lists on menstrual products sold in the state). 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. All rights reserved. Its really pervasive because its a whitening agent. 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. 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. Because of the mixed evidence, it was classified as "possibly" carcinogenic. Change). Myths about aluminum and deodorant, explained, Ive written multiple times in this column. 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. Bobby Parrish, a social media influencer with more than 1 million followers on Instagram, said titanium dioxide is really bad for reproductive health and claims it can cause excessive bleeding. 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. In a previous blog post, Jayesh. The research from the IARC did however acknowledge that its lacking the connection to a human study that would confirm long-term effects. Plus, Gunter explained that titanium dioxide tends to stick to whatever fabric it is on, and is not easily washed out. You cant just say just because you breathe something in and it causes cancer that its also going to cause cancer in a different route, Lincoln explained. Tampons are great. The FDA also lists titanium dioxide as a safe ingredient for use in cosmetics. "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. 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 although there is no evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons is unsafe, it has never been officially investigated. We need your help. Its not like a company can throw anything in there, Lincoln said. Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. 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 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. You can find their products at Healthy Planet or order from their website. There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. 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. (2020, February 12). Pain Inserting a Tampon? Other concerns of titanium dioxide toxicity involve food, highlighted by the recent lawsuit alleging that Skittles, a popular candy,contain a "known toxin." It tells the story of a woman whoafter using a specific organic tampon branddeveloped cysts and then uterine cancer. According to the company, TiO2 represents less than 0.1% of all the ingredients they use to manufacture their tampons. 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.
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