There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. It tells the story of a woman whoafter using a specific organic tampon branddeveloped cysts and then uterine cancer. She discovered the tampons she was using lists titanium dioxide as an ingredient, which she blames for her health issues. But TikTokers and commenters are questioning why the tampons contain titanium dioxide, a chemical compound often used as a whitening agent. T his past August, a video about titanium dioxide in tampons went viral on TikTok. 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. It's also worth being skeptical of any definitive claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is super harmful. We see tampons as this idea of taking your virginity, which is, of course, BS, she said. In a previous blog post, Jayesh. This can be experienced emotionally such as crying (PMS) or even just focusing more on your diet. Sign up for notifications from Insider! In the emergency room, I assess five primary routes of exposure for a substance when assessing for toxicity: inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestionand absorption. Some research, mostly conducted in animals, has found titanium dioxide to be harmful when inhaled and consumed, typically in large quantities. Microplastic release from the degradation of Polypropylene feeding bottles during infant Formula Preparation. And in 2020, The European Unions Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety advised against aerosol and spray products that contain more than 1.4% titanium dioxide due to concerns about inhalation. An image shows gas prices on Jan. 6, 2021. Less than 0.1% of titanium dioxide is used in the total ingredients of 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 also have a longer lasting tampon than other types and can be inserted deep into the vagina without having to worry about them coming out. OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? We disclose every ingredient we use in our products to inform and educate so you can make the best decision for your body. USDA Organic certification may only be displayed on products that are 100% organic. ", Email Interview with gynecologist Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, Aug. 10, 2022, Email Interview with American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Aug. 9, 2022. There are many substances, including medications, that we safely encounter or consume on a regular basis. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/health/is-polypropylene-safe, Li, D., Shi, Y., Yang, L., Xiao, L., Kehoe, D. K., Gunko, Y. K., . Organic doesnt necessarily mean better and non-organic doesnt equal danger. The interesting thing is that most studies done on rayon are based on fashion or clothing, not on the effects of putting it inside of the body. 1800 I Street NW Before I dive into the horrible and unnecessary ingredients in both pads & tampons, I want to talk about why a menstrual period is such an important cycle that happens within the human body. Additionally, ethylene oxide can also harm the nervous system and has been classified as a developmental toxicant by the California Environmental Protection Agency. "[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. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? 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. We definitely need more activism and awareness around this issue! While it sounds scary, the experts stress theres little truth behind these worries. It is considered one of the most dangerous fabrics, but is still one of the main ingredients in our menstrual products! OB-GYN Dr. Jen Gunter posted a response to the controversy on Instagram, calling concerns about it "fearmongering. With 8 million views, this instance shows the impact of a TikTokdespite the actual evidence to the contrary. #notokay. Someone had posted a TikTok about the dangers of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and it went viral. Environmental and reproductive health experts have mixed views on how safe titanium dioxide in menstrual products is, but there's no evidence the tampons cause reproductive health problems like ovarian cysts or cancer. It's also is often used to make things like paint, and most relevant for our purposes, it's used to make pads and tampons appear whiter. A post shared by Jen Gunter (@drjengunter), But not all doctors agree. However, a recent study conducted in November 2020 demonstrated that micro plastics are released from propylene infant feeding bottles. Theyre really tightly regulated. What to Know About Food Additive Titanium Dioxide," July 26, 2022, Environmental Science & Technology, "Release of Titanium Dioxide from Textiles during Washing," July 2, 2012, The Guardian, "Tampon wars: the battle to overthrow the Tampax empire," Feb. 11, 2020, District of Columbia 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. "Well what do you know." 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. Thank you so much for reading my blog! Throughout the week of our actual menstrual cycle, it is so important to allow your body to do a full cleanse! 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. Environmental and reproductive health experts have mixed views on how safe titanium dioxide in menstrual products is, but there's no evidence the tampons cause Its important to note that even with organic tampons and pads, irritation, inflammation, and infections can occur from not changing them regularly or from chaffing. If people just do a quick Google search, it can be a bit confusing.. debunked the myth that non-organic pads can cause cancer. "But not only that, 'such substances may have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans,'" she continues. More:Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.). Someone had posted a TikTok about the dangers of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and it went viral. That is why its so important to take your own health into account and start educating yourself on common ingredients. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Get it daily. How can this be? We see tampons as something that could potentially harm us, Lincoln said. 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. Preventing paraffin-related injury. We disclose every ingredient we use in our products to inform and educate so you can make the best decision for your body. The brand, L., markets itself as "accessible period care made with ingredients inspired by nature," according to its website. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. Keep in mind that products labeled as natural don't mean anything and are a form of greenwashing. Depending on the manufacturing processes, PEGs can be contaminated with measurable amounts of chemicals such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. As for the potential risks (or lack thereof!) In general, Dr. Gunter says that there is no evidence that titanium dioxide on tampon strings can cause any harm. Within her 30 years as a gynecologist, Dr. Gunter says Its on the string so its not even in the part of the tampon thats inside the vagina," Lincoln said. Suspect in Whaling Museum's $75,000 artifact theft 'seemed likable'. 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! This ingredient is widely used to provide a whiter appearance and opacity to products such as paints, plastics, papers, inks, foods and toothpaste. In a previous blog post, Jayesh debunked the myth that non-organic pads can cause cancer since study after study has not proven this. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Because lets face it- we should not be putting toxic chemicals inside of our bodies on a regular basis. An additional two satellite groups underwent the same protocol for 45 days and for There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. "They use it to make the string look whiter.. Its a compound that reflects light particles. California has twice the population of New York, but spends $260 billion, while New York spends $220 billion. To say this guy likes his scientific studies is an understatement. "I've been on my period for 13 days, I have ovarian cysts that they have to check for cancer, and I've used five of these," she says holding an empty container of L. tampons. Some people on TikTok are alleging the ingredient can lead to all Titanium Dioxide is a pigment that is used in both pads and tampons to make them appear whiter. Its on the string so its not even in the part of the tampon thats inside the vagina," Lincoln said. Markets itself as `` accessible period care made with ingredients inspired by nature, Lincoln., she said more: which supplements are most likely to land you in thread. Including medications, that we safely encounter or consume on a regular basis account and start educating yourself on ingredients... 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