We see tampons as something that could potentially harm us, Lincoln said. 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. 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. It tells the story of a woman whoafter using a specific organic tampon branddeveloped cysts and then uterine cancer. Typically, "higher doses can be used topically in a safe manner," he says. 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. Wang, J. J. Zero.. Here's why: sometimes the substance is also noted as "Pigment White 6" or "White Pigment," Dr. Gohar explains. (2021, May 01). As I mentioned earlier, vaginal pH imbalances can lead to different bacterial and fungal infections. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Titanium dioxide can also be in food, according to the National Library of Medicine. 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. Get it daily. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-peg-compounds-contaminants/, Watson, S. (2019, July 11). "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. Nature Food,1(11), 746-754. doi:10.1038/s43016-020-00171-y, Ltd, B. S. (2021, April 27). A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? "Well what do you know." However, rayon is processed with many chemicals such as carbon disulphide, sulphuric acid, ammonia, acetone and others. 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. Cause-and-effect can only be established by rigorous randomized-control, double-blindclinical research trials or meta-analyses of multiple smaller studies, for example. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We disclose every ingredient we use in our products to inform and educate so you can make the best decision for your body. Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. However, a recent study conducted in November 2020 demonstrated that micro plastics are released from propylene infant feeding bottles. Dr. Philip M. Tierno, Jr., a professor of microbiology and pathology at the NYU School of Medicine, told Insider that while titanium dioxide is used in plenty of everyday products, "tampons are especially a problem" since it's possible the chemical could be absorbed into the bloodstream through the vagina's lining. See who are the biggest influencers in the U.S. ", Email Interview with gynecologist Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, Aug. 10, 2022, Email Interview with American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Aug. 9, 2022. So manufacturers add preservatives, fragrance and bleach to make it more appealing. Just bear in mind: If you have any specific health concerns to weigh, it's critical to reach out to your gynecologist or primary care physician to make the right choice for you. Sunscreen, for example, can have up to 25% titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and both the FDA and EU consider it to be safe. It's primarily used to help make white foods appear whiter (like milk and candy) or to lengthen the shelf life of foods that are sensitive to UV light. This may sound great for fashion and clothing, but it does not belong in our bodies! Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. 4 min read. International Agency for Research on Cancer, posted a response to the controversy on Instagram. 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. 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. The European Unionrecently banned it as a food additive but the FDA has not. Its use as a food additive was banned in the European Union. We need your help. The Problem With Paraffin In Emollients. Organic doesnt necessarily mean better and non-organic doesnt equal danger. Magic Johnson tested positive for HIV "because Faucis gain of function study used a contaminated Hepatitis B vaccine. Fortunately, many new wave period-care companies are extremely transparent about their ingredients lists. Most people assume that menstrual products contain safe, non-toxic ingredients. 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. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/titanium_dioxide.html, Joy, R. (2020, September 23). Someone had posted a TikTok about the dangers of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and it went viral. "Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring substance that is often used in food and other topical products to create a whiter and brighter look," Dr. Gohar says. Epidemiological Paraffin is a by-product of the petrochemical industry and has to be intensively refined with bleach and other harmful chemicals in order to be useful. I do think that they have an image problem because of that.. The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! Bottom line: "When it comes to period products, the priority should be using products that you feel comfortable with and are accessible to you," he says. Massachusetts events honor legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Fire breaks out at Wolfeboro grocery store. Thank you so much for reading my blog! "They use it to make the string look whiter.. "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. How he got caught. 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. (LogOut/ But we dont know anything about how much is safe in tampons or if it accumulates in the body. A recent viral TikTok had social media users alarmed about the idea of tampons causing cancer because they contain titanium dioxide, but OB-GYNs say there's no data to Sometimes referred to as titanium white or Pigment White 6, titanium dioxide is all around us. 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. T his past August, a video about titanium dioxide in tampons went viral on TikTok. Its pretty worth enough for me. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. A cure for cancer, known as a Rife machine, was found in 1934. "If you feel uncomfortable with the potential risks associated with titanium dioxide, look for products that dont include titanium dioxide on the ingredients list," says Flynn. The FDA also lists titanium dioxide as a safe ingredient for use in cosmetics. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring.. I believe we all have a responsibility to better and more critically appraise social media content, particularly with regard to health and medical information. July 29, 2022, European Commission, "Sunscreens with titanium dioxide as nanoparticles," accessed Aug. 9, 2022, The Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, "Safety of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in cosmetics," Nov. 2019, The Skin Cancer Foundation, "Sunscreen Safety," June 6, 2018, Today, "New York becomes first state to require ingredients list on pads, tampons," Oct. 12, 2019, The Atlantic, "The Tampon: A History," (archived) June 2015, The New York Times, "Are Skittles Toxic? (2020). NASA photos of the moon and Earth show that space is fake., A small area in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico has enough oil to fuel America for the next 200 years., Florida Gov. Its production is not sustainable nor environmentally friendly, making it a harmful and unnecessary ingredient in our menstrual products. Her team is working on a pilot project analyzing tampons for the presence of metals and pesticides. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as possibly carcinogenic to humans. But Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou, an assistant professor of environmental health sciences at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, told Insider there's not enough, or really any, research on how the compound in tampons could affect reproductive health. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health,11(3), 221-232. doi:10.1179/oeh.2005.11.3.221, Polypropylene. Is Titanium Dioxide Safe in Tampons? The second reason? What To Know About Titanium Dioxide In Tampons and Skittles, Titanium dioxide isn't making tampons into toxic death sticks, Titanium Dioxide | Use, Benefits, and Chemical Safety Facts, "Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans VOLUME 93 Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc, Studies of Cancer in Experimental Animals - Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc. This means that youll find absolutely no titanium dioxide in them or any other toxic substances, synthetic fibres, chemical residues, dyes, pesticides, chlorine bleach or fragrances. And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. And yet, without any studies, we cannot rule out the possibility that titanium dioxide is not safe. Some people on TikTok are alleging the ingredient can lead to all The ban was related to really concern and hypothetical risks, she stressed. 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. As Dr. Eyvazzadeh points out, we just don't know either wayno matter how certain Becky on TikTok seems. I love this brand because it lists the ingredients right on the box. Not all regulatory agencies agree: The Canada Health Department, for example, like the FDA, found titanium dioxide to be a safe food additive. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. All gender affirming care for children is 100% experimental. 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. The Skin Cancer foundation even recommends sunscreen with titanium dioxide to protect against harmful cancer-causing UV rays. National Library of Medicines list The minerals effects have been tested primarily in animals, but some research has found it can be harmful when inhaled or consumed in large quantities amounts not used in tampons. Its on the string so its not even in the part of the tampon thats inside the vagina," Lincoln said. But what about its relationship to cancer? For instance, certain plastics and artificial adhesives have been shown to increase the risk of vulva-vaginal infections and contact dermatitis. joni's non-applicator tampons are made with 100% organic cotton and nothing else. Titanium dioxide can also be in food, according to the National Library of Medicine. Some research, mostly conducted in animals, has found titanium dioxide to be harmful when inhaled and consumed, typically in large quantities. 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. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide." Jayesh adds that we have to be careful to not make assumptions without evidence-based facts. Some are alleging that a common ingredient found in many tampon brands called titanium dioxide can cause excessive bleeding, infertility and even cancer. They found values ranging from 14,600-4,550,000 particles per capita per day, depending on the region. Theyre really tightly regulated. In a post on her blog The Vajenda, Dr. Jen Gunter, author and OB/GYN explained that chemistry may also be on our side. Try These OB-GYN-Recommended, Titanium Dioxide-Free Period Products . This ingredient is widely used to provide a whiter appearance and opacity to products such as paints, plastics, papers, inks, foods and toothpaste. The TikToker goes on to say she's been told she can't have kids due to "reproductive harm to my uterus and ovaries" and complains of serious pain at night and while trying to sleep. However there is not enough proof showing titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be harmful. If youre looking for a healthier alternative to your personal care products, check out Natracare. And linked it to cancer and damage to Ive been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. Some cotton farmers earn less than $2.00 a day for their cotton and spend up to 60% of their annual income on pesticides. 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 This greatly demonstrates that propylene plastics release micro plastics into our bodies and can have damaging health effects. Which is why you might be alarmed by recent claims on social media about tampons. 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. 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. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, it's "possibly carcinogenic" since studies have linked lung tumors in rats with inhaling titanium dioxide. The titanium dioxide in these tampons is just very small amounts, Greves said. Although the FDA considers titanium dioxide safe, the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." While it sounds scary, the experts stress theres little truth behind these worries. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a natural oxide of the element titanium with low toxicity, and negligible biological effects. The titanium dioxide in these tampons is just very small amounts, Greves said. When it comes to tampons and other period care, what does organic mean? (That's slowly changing after New York passed a law requiring ingredients lists on menstrual products sold in the state). Toxins released from rayon can also rarely cause tissue necrosis for people who regularly wear clothing made of this 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.". 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. 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. She enjoys cooking, yoga, reading, music and walking her two rescue dogs. It can also be found in a variety of beauty products and lotions such as sunscreen. However, that is unfortunately not the case for pads and tampons. "The potential risks of titanium dioxide vary depending on the method of exposure," says Dr. Eyvazzadeh. What to Know About Food Additive Titanium Dioxide, Release of Titanium Dioxide from Textiles during Washing, Tampon wars: the battle to overthrow the Tampax empire. (n.d.). But there is also no published research on vaginal It makes items white. Fear of tampons may persist because of their association with toxic shock syndrome, Greves and Lincoln theorized. More:Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? Follow her on Twitter to see her recent stories. 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. The chemical substance also seems to have a potentially negative impact on the gut microbiome, Dr. Gohar says. There is some "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. 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. 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. This ingredient is used by Tampax as a wax to keep the [tampon] string clean. Some country-level occupational health and safety organizations cite a lack of high-quality studies from which they can draw any concrete conclusions about the long-term risks of titanium dioxide exposure. The levels of inhalation being evaluated were in occupational conditions, like titanium dioxide manufacturing, much higher than the average consumer. 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. But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. Most big companies will do anything to make a bit of profit. In this study, food-related TiO 2 NPs (anatase, 40 nm) were given to rats by oral gavage for 90 days at doses of 10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg bw. This ensures the product has been tested, and undergoes regular testing, to meet specific standards. It's also worth being skeptical of any definitive claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is super harmful. "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. Rayon is processed with many other chemicals to be broken down into cellulose, which according to Tampax helps absorb and retain fluid. There have been studies in animals that have shown the carcinogenic effects of titanium dioxide when inhaled. The widespread use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) in the food industry has brought about human safety risks related to nanotoxicity. They give women freedom., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Just hours before the Idaho slayings, another grisly scene unfolded outside Bryan Kohberger's window, Polar bear kills woman, boy in remote Alaska village, Hawaii fisherman overboard, missing after hooking large ahi, Reality TV star Julie Chrisley reassigned from Florida prison to federal medical center, The rich and powerful flocked to Davos via private jet to discuss climate change, study finds. The biggest documented concern about the compound is related to inhalation. The European Union banned titanium dioxide in food earlier this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service. He studied Global Health at Georgetown University and has a Medical Degree from Ben-Gurion University. Are Skittles Toxic from Titanium Dioxide? "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Dr. Eyvazzadeh. a lot of people online are upset with tampon brands (tampax and L. specifically) because they include titanium dioxide in the tampons, which apparently can cause reproductive harm. 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 Activated charcoal benefits explained:Does it actually prevent hangovers? Myths about aluminum and deodorant, explained, Ive written multiple times in this column. 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). Tampons require the FDAs premarket review evaluating the products safety and effectiveness. So inhalation at higher concentrations may not be advisable, but inhalation clearly isnt a risk when tampons are used according to their intended purpose. 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. It seems that because most people trust the ingredients, big companies and corporations can get away with adding cheap and harmful ingredients to our personal products. The titanium dioxide in it is toxic to us & causing cancerous cysts, ectopic pregnancies, & reproductive damage in humans. If theyre using titanium dioxide, its because related studies have shown it doesnt pose a threat. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what-s-the-risk-titanium-dioxide Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. It's also used in sunscreen because its whitening property helps it reflect sunlight.
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titanium dioxide tampons risks