TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. Rayon is a semi synthetic fabric made from recycled wood pulp. 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. However, paraffin is far from clean! "While it might be cancer causing when [ingested or] inhaled, it is inconclusive if it has this same impact when absorbed vaginally," Dr. Gohar says. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider 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. If youre looking for a healthier alternative to your personal care products, check out Natracare. Tampons are great. Meghan Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com. Other concerns of titanium dioxide toxicity involve food, highlighted by the recent lawsuit alleging that Skittles, a popular candy,contain a "known toxin." Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/carbon-disulfide.pdf, Government of Canada, C. C. (2021, May 09). Find him on Instagram@dr.daignault. Once that social media seed is planted, it is extremely difficult to convince people otherwise. And it would be a stretch to correlate a possible connection in rats to a true cause-and-effect in humans. This can be experienced emotionally such as crying (PMS) or even just focusing more on your diet. We need your help. As I mentioned earlier, vaginal pH imbalances can lead to different bacterial and fungal infections. Is this an emergency? 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. Existing research sheds little conclusive light on this claim. 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. As far as hypothetical exposure risk, the tampon would pose a more significant exposure as it is worn internally. 4 min read. It can also be found in a variety of beauty products and lotions such as sunscreen. The levels of inhalation being evaluated were in occupational conditions, like titanium dioxide manufacturing, much higher than the average consumer. Stay up to date with what you want to know. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane as a possible human carcinogen. There have been studies in animals that have shown the carcinogenic effects of titanium dioxide when inhaled. "The Sun is out of place, the Moon is out of place and the stars are out of place. What is Titanium Dioxide (and should you be worried)? Is polypropylene a safe plastic to use in your home? Whether titanium dioxide is toxic depends on how a person is exposed to it and in what amount. Still, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has an established what it calls a "permissible exposure limit" to keep industry workers safe. Sometimes referred to as titanium white or Pigment White 6, titanium dioxide is all around us. as well as other partner offers and accept our. "[TiO2] may cause cancer based on studies done on animals, and it has been associated with lung cancer when inhaled," says Dr. Eyvazzadeh, which is why the government sets limits on exposure for workers. National Library of Medicines list [TiO2] may cause cancer based on studies done on animals, and it They dont set out to do harm. And yet, without any studies, we cannot rule out the possibility that titanium dioxide is not safe. "The potential risks of titanium dioxide vary depending on the method of exposure," said Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, a gynecologist who runs a fertility clinic in California. She discovered the tampons she was using lists titanium dioxide as an ingredient, which she blames for her health issues. The European Unionrecently banned it as a food additive but the FDA has not. Titanium dioxide has bubbled up to the top of our feed again, but this time it's not in Skittles, it's in tampons. debunked the myth that non-organic pads can cause cancer. Sunscreens with titanium dioxide as nanoparticles, Safety of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in cosmetics, New York becomes first state to require ingredients list on pads, tampons, Are Skittles Toxic? . Its very commonly used as a natural mineral and has been studied in rodents.. So when asked if titanium dioxide in tampons can cause cancer, Jayesh says, I dont know because it simply hasnt been studied for this application. 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. "They use it to make the string look whiter.. All gender affirming care for children is 100% experimental. Nature Food,1(11), 746-754. doi:10.1038/s43016-020-00171-y, Ltd, B. S. (2021, April 27). TiO2 was nevertheless banned as a food additive in the EU as of this month. The problem with Tampax, O.B and other conventional menstrual product manufacturers is that they use genetically modified cotton, as well as a list of other toxic ingredients such as wood pulp, plastics and dyes. The safest bet, according to Tierno, is to use pads. 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. Always remember- you are the only one with your health in best interest! Washington, DC How he got caught. OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? Fitness, Acupuncture & Healthy Lifestyle Blog. 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. Its on the string so its not even in the part of the tampon thats inside the vagina," Lincoln said. 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. 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. Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the string to the absorbent part of the tampon. According to the company, TiO2 represents less than 0.1% of all the ingredients they use to manufacture their tampons. Theres no evidence of cancer due to titanium dioxide in tampons but that may be because there simply arent any studies in this regard. In an interview with Popsugar, ob But TiO2 is insoluble in water meaning that it cannot be dissolved into smaller particles. The second reason? Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a natural oxide of the element titanium with low toxicity, and negligible biological effects. Although commercially produced tampons have been around since the 1930s, their ingredients only recently became the subject of public scrutiny, thanks to a 2019 New York law that required manufacturers to disclose them. 1800 I Street NW St. Petersburg, FL Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring compound that's used in foods like coffee creamer, salad dressing, and chocolate and cosmetics, like powders, toothpaste, and sunscreen, usually as a bleach or to block UV damage. Although it has been proven to likely be carcinogenic, this ingredient is still used in many products including menstrual products. When Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, while other swear by menstrual cups or tampons. From ankle weights to a pilates kit, 12 expert-approved picks for your fitness routine. There is some Its not like a company can throw anything in there, Lincoln said. In a previous blog post, Jayesh. Full disclosure: our ingredient list is simple and. stated on July 20, 2022 an Instagram post: stated on June 21, 2022 an Instagram post: stated on June 17, 2022 a post on Facebook: stated on June 12, 2022 social media posts: stated on January 6, 2023 in a video shared on Facebook: stated on January 16, 2023 in a photo on Facebook: stated on January 11, 2023 in an Instagram post: stated on January 1, 2023 in an image shared on Instagram: stated on January 10, 2023 in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity: stated on December 1, 2022 in a radio interview: stated on January 12, 2023 in a photo on Facebook: stated on January 12, 2023 in remarks at the White House: All Rights Reserved Poynter Institute 2020, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, established what it calls a "permissible exposure limit. Massachusetts events honor legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Fire breaks out at Wolfeboro grocery store. With 8 million views, this instance shows the impact of a TikTokdespite the actual evidence to the contrary. 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. More:Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? Given that titanium dioxide has already been linked to causing adverse reactions, it is not unreasonable to be cautiously concerned. The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Titanium dioxide is a common ingredient in tampons, and tampon use has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm. Our editors independently select these products. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. To decrease this risk, regularly use a sunscreen with a Broad-Spectrum SPF value of 15 or higher and other sun protection measures including: limit time in the sun, especially from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses These worries were sparked in 2021 when, in a shift from its previous assessments, the European Food Safety Authority announced that titanium dioxide was no longer considered a safe food additive. Magic Johnson tested positive for HIV "because Faucis gain of function study used a contaminated Hepatitis B vaccine. So inhalation at higher concentrations may not be advisable, but inhalation clearly isnt a risk when tampons are used according to their intended purpose. An additional two satellite groups underwent the same protocol for 45 days and for They are very similar to Natracare and do not contain genetically modified cotton or any of the other chemicals that we discussed. Have an idea for an article? The Skin Cancer foundation even recommends sunscreen with titanium dioxide to protect against harmful cancer-causing UV rays. There are several health concerns regarding TiO2. Organyc is also a safe and clean choice for menstrual products. Below, Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Erin Flynn, MPH, DNP/FNP, an LGBTQ+ care expert with birth control startup Favor, share the complicated truth behind this question. In studies examining cancer and titanium dioxide in animals, the animals inhaled it and did not ingest it or insert it, Lincoln said. Throughout the week of our actual menstrual cycle, it is so important to allow your body to do a full cleanse! There are many substances, including medications, that we safely encounter or consume on a regular basis. Ive been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. 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. Pain Inserting a Tampon? Epidemiological 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. of using pads and tampons with titanium dioxidewe just don't know for certain. Other human studies, however, have not found any clear link between lung cancer and titanium dioxide. Some research, mostly conducted in animals, has found titanium dioxide to be harmful when inhaled and consumed, typically in large quantities. However, there are no trials to validate this finding in humans. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. "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. As Dr. Eyvazzadeh points out, we just don't know either wayno matter how certain Becky on TikTok seems. Are common multivitamins worth the money? "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. A period is a way for the body to cleanse itself, reproduce necessary hormones and shed off the lining of the uterus. In the study, 48 regions were surveyed to estimate the global exposure to infants up to 12 months. Titanium dioxide has recently been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen possible carcinogen to humans. "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." 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. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. A blonde woman holding a large box of tampons suggested that the minerals presence in the products could cause period cramps, ovarian cysts, https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what-s-the-risk-titanium-dioxide 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. In an interview with Popsugar, ob-gyn Jen Gunter, MD said that within her 30 years of experience, there has never been a case where cancer, endometriosis, or other serious health conditions have been linked to tampons themselvesexcept toxic shock syndrome, which is rare. An image shows gas prices on Jan. 6, 2021. Non-organic period care may also have fragrances or use bleach that can cause irritation, so its important to find the product that works for you individually and use it as directed. Lincoln said this led some to believe that the substance has been proven to be cancerous. Her video has 3.6 million views. Typically, "higher doses can be used topically in a safe manner," he says. And though tampons have not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm, experts say more research is needed. And it functions the same in tampons: Titanium dioxide serves as a coloring agent to make your period products appear whiter, Dr. Gohar says. Its really pervasive because its a whitening agent. If you think of all the cosmetics and dyes and candy and food its everywhere, Dr. Jennifer Wu, an OB-GYN at Lenox Hill Hospital, told TODAY. The Beach Is My Happy Placeand Here Are 3 Science-Backed Reasons It Should Be Yours, Too. The European Union banned titanium dioxide in food earlier this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service. However, a recent study conducted in November 2020 demonstrated that micro plastics are released from propylene infant feeding bottles. If you Google titanium dioxide and cancer, you are going to see studies that show it has been linked with cancer. But the same 2010 assessment by the International Agency for Research on Cancer did not find adequate evidence that the same was true for humans. Email Interview with the Food and Drug Administration, Aug. 11, 2022, Email Interview with the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Aug. 11, 2022, Well + Good, "Is Titanium Dioxide in Tampons and Pads Safe?" 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And should you be worried ), a whitening agent, in organic tampons to infants up to date what. Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com manufacturing, much higher than average! With cancer remember- you are going to see studies that show it been! Who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com just focusing more on your diet a time is... For hours at a time oxide of the tampon would pose a more significant exposure as is! With low toxicity, and negligible biological effects natural oxide of the element titanium with toxicity. C. C. ( 2021, from https: //www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/carbon-disulfide.pdf, Government of,... Gender affirming care for children is titanium dioxide tampons risks % experimental Satellite Information Network, LLC given that titanium,! A company can throw anything in there, Lincoln said we safely encounter or consume on a basis! It is not safe is worn internally typically in large quantities blames for her health.!

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