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. Please dont panic about titanium dioxide in tampon strings. The vagina is an extremely sensitive organ and using plastic derived ingredients is a big no no! Activated charcoal benefits explained:Does it actually prevent hangovers? All rights reserved. So inhalation at higher concentrations may not be advisable, but inhalation clearly isnt a risk when tampons are used according to their intended purpose. . Ive been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. Preventing paraffin-related injury. 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 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." While it sounds scary, the experts stress theres little truth behind these worries. And just as titanium dioxide has not been tested for use with tampons, certified organic tampons have not been tested for any negative or positive medical results. 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. There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. The carbon disulphide emitted from rayon has been proven to cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, headaches and chest pain when inhaled. OB-GYN Dr. Jen Gunter posted a response to the controversy on Instagram, calling concerns about it "fearmongering. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. Case in point: exposure to titanium dioxide may destroy good gut microbes, cause gut dysfunction and increase intestinal inflammation, according to a February 2021 systematic review of animal studies published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.. Washington, DC And linked it to cancer and damage to Get it daily. 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. "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. Titanium dioxide is a common ingredient in tampons, and tampon use has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm. Alkaline water:Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? They dont set out to do harm. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.). 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. "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. Is the titanium dioxide in tampons toxic? That said, with all the scientific evidence accumulating in other areas, consumers should be more aware of titanium dioxide's potential effect on reproductive health, Dr. Gohar says. I also love that they use 100% organic cotton, are plastic & fragrance free, totally chlorine free and are biodegradable! Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Because lets face it- we should not be putting toxic chemicals inside of our bodies on a regular basis. Is titanium dioxide safe in tampons or could it cause health issues? ", Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Flynn agree that it's okay to approach the ingredient with caution. But TikTokers and commenters are questioning why the tampons contain titanium dioxide, a chemical compound often used as a whitening agent. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring. Suspect in Whaling Museum's $75,000 artifact theft 'seemed likable'. The titanium dioxide in these tampons is just very small amounts, Greves said. Other human studies, however, have not found any clear link between lung cancer and titanium dioxide. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. " Its very commonly used as a natural mineral and has been studied in rodents.. It's also used in sunscreen because its whitening property helps it reflect sunlight. The levels of inhalation being evaluated were in occupational conditions, like titanium dioxide manufacturing, much higher than the average consumer. Full disclosure: our ingredient list is simple and. 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). "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." Titanium dioxide exposure would not be on that list. The agency could not rule out potential damage to DNA,but this is much different than the agency stating there was an identified cause and effect. 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 derived from petroleum and is found in some beauty products because its very cheap and is considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Change). International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health,11(3), 221-232. doi:10.1179/oeh.2005.11.3.221, Polypropylene. So today, I wanted to write a blog on the hidden dangers found in our menstrual products and what products to use instead! Full disclosure: our ingredient list is simple and does not contain titanium dioxide or any other chemicals or fragrances. Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. The product in question in the TikTok video is one that is labeled as organic and yet it contains titanium dioxide. "Most tampons list their ingredients on the back of the package," Dr. Gohar says. Titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in many products to make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. New study explores the benefits,harms. In studies examining cancer and titanium dioxide in animals, the animals inhaled it and did not ingest it or insert it, Lincoln said. They are very similar to Natracare and do not contain genetically modified cotton or any of the other chemicals that we discussed. 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. 801 3rd St. S This brand is my go to- you can find it at Loblaws or even Amazon! The National Library of Medicine noted that there's "inadequate evidence in humans" that the additive contributes to cancer. T his past August, a video about titanium dioxide in tampons went viral on TikTok. Lincoln said this led some to believe that the substance has been proven to be cancerous. Keep in mind that products labeled as natural don't mean anything and are a form of greenwashing. Vaginal pH imbalances can lead If you Google titanium dioxide and cancer, you are going to see studies that show it has been linked with cancer. Passionate about periods? Additionally, ethylene oxide can also harm the nervous system and has been classified as a developmental toxicant by the California Environmental Protection Agency. During clinical trials the amount of titanium dioxide There are several health concerns regarding TiO2. The Food and Drug Administration considers tampons medical devices, which means the agency has oversight on whats in them. Vaginal pH imbalances can lead to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and can cause allergy related symptoms such as itching. Consuming rice and beans, milk, cheese, butter and eggs causes disease by age 30. According to Code of Federal Regulations, the mineral is considered "exempt from certification" in cosmetics, medical devices, and pharmaceutical drugs, meaning it has determined that the "certification of this color additive is not necessary for the protection of the public health. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider 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. Most people assume that menstrual products contain safe, non-toxic ingredients. Theyre really tightly regulated. 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 Do you need an 'armpit detox?' 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. The Food and Drug Administration considers tampons medical devices, which means the agency has oversight on whats in them. 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. The safest bet, according to Tierno, is to use pads. Is Titanium Dioxide Safe in Tampons? It's a scary and emotional story. But there is also no published research on vaginal Titanium dioxide is a common ingredient in tampons, and tampon use has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm. Although the FDA considers titanium dioxide safe, the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." 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. It's also used in sunscreen because its whitening property helps it reflect sunlight. The video has 630,000 views and nearly 14,00 comments. Just because titanium dioxide may show signs of toxicity when eaten or inhaled, doesnt mean all exposure is dangerous. We see tampons as something that could potentially harm us, Lincoln said. Once that social media seed is planted, it is extremely difficult to convince people otherwise. Everything You Need to Know About Maintaining Your Vaginal pH Balance: Normal Levels Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vaginal-ph-balance, My name is Sara and I love anything to do with natural health, nutrition & fitness! Lincoln said this led some to believe that the substance has been proven to be cancerous. Titanium dioxide in food Should you be concerned? So while there is no evidence of danger, "we also dont have the science to assure us that this kind of exposure is safe either. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. 2023Well+Good LLC. If youre looking for a healthier alternative to your personal care products, check out Natracare. 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 biggest documented concern about the compound is related to inhalation. 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. Her team is working on a pilot project analyzing tampons for the presence of metals and pesticides. However, these studies were conducted on mice who orally consumed titanium dioxide, so we'll still need extensive clinical research on humans before we can definitively link TiO2 with reproductive disruptionor assume those risks definitely come from other intakes of the ingredient. [TiO2] may cause cancer based on studies done on animals, and it Not all eco products are equal and use the However, larger quantities of titanium dioxide might be damaging if ingested, Dr. Gohar says. 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). When titanium dioxide is used, we assume it isnt in large quantities. The European Union banned titanium dioxide in food earlier this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service. There is no evidence that tampon use (generally) causes cancer, reproductive damage or ectopic pregnancy according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. And although there is no evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons is unsafe, it has never been officially investigated. Manufacturers are expected to conduct "biocompatibility" tests, assess chemical residues in the device and determine how the tampon affects the vaginal microbiome, the collection of microbes that live naturally on and inside ones body. 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. How can this be? Myths about aluminum and deodorant, explained, Ive written multiple times in this column. 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. Magic Johnson tested positive for HIV "because Faucis gain of function study used a contaminated Hepatitis B vaccine. How he got caught. 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. "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. Fear of tampons may persist because of their association with toxic shock syndrome, Greves and Lincoln theorized. Its widely used in the fashion industry because of its ability to mimic the look and feel of other fabrics such as silk, cotton, wool and others. Not only is it a more environmentally friendly option, it doesnt contain many ingredients that will linger in your body afterwards. Period. Sunscreen can safely contain up to 25% titanium dioxide. 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. A spokesperson for Proctor and Gamble, which manufactures the L. tampons brand, told Insider titanium dioxide is used in the thread that attaches the cord to the absorbent part of the tampon, and represents less than 0.1% of all ingredients in the product. (LogOut/ It tells the story of a woman whoafter using a specific organic tampon branddeveloped cysts and then uterine cancer. We need your help. Find him on Instagram@dr.daignault. This greatly demonstrates that propylene plastics release micro plastics into our bodies and can have damaging health effects. 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