titanium dioxide tampons risks

"Psa to all my girlies," the July 31 post said. Sometimes referred to as titanium white or Pigment White 6, titanium dioxide is all around us. "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. 4 Mistakes That Are Causing You to Waste Money on Skin-Care Serums, According to an Esthetician, These Are the Best Anti-Chafing Denim ShortsAccording to Some Very Happy Reviewers. (2020, February 12). July 21, 2021, Britannica, "Titanium Dioxide," accessed Aug. 8, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Foods," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Cosmetics," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Drugs," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Medical Devices," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely," Sept. 30, 2020, Food and Drug Administration, "Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-The-Counter Human Use," March 29, 2022, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, "European Union: Titanium Dioxide Banned as a Food Additive in the EU," March 3, 2022, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, "Titanium Dioxide," Jan. 13, 2021, Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, "Opinion on Titanium dioxide (TiO2) used in cosmetic products that lead to exposure by inhalation," Oct. 6, 2022, European Food Safety Authority, "Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive," May 6, 2021, European Food Safety Authority, "Safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive," May 6, 2021, Journal of Nanobiotechnology, "Critical review of the safety assessment of titanium dioxide additives in food," June 1, 2018, Health Canada, "Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive: Current science report," June 20, 2022, Scientific American, "Are Skittles Toxic from Titanium Dioxide?" Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. Not all eco products are equal and use the Some are alleging that a common ingredient found in many tampon brands called titanium dioxide can cause excessive bleeding, infertility and even cancer. 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. Not all regulatory agencies agree: The Canada Health Department, for example, like the FDA, found titanium dioxide to be a safe food additive. One of our founding values at joni is radical transparency. 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. 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. If you dont want to take any chances with this ingredient, try these organic products instead. Theres nothing linked in the data that says that tampon use is linked to cancer or harm in the reproductive system, Dr. Christine Greves, an OB-GYN in Orlando, Florida, told TODAY. The safest bet, according to Tierno, is to use pads. In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive. Her team is working on a pilot project analyzing tampons for the presence of metals and pesticides. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. 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. Titanium dioxide is a common ingredient in tampons, and tampon use has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm. Meanwhile, in the US, the FDA continues to allow for safe use of TiO2 as a food additive as long as manufacturers provide evidence that it is safe at its intended level of use. Do you need an 'armpit detox?' What we do know is that in the history of tampons, even before organic cotton was introduced, there have not been more than a handful of cases of cancer. We have to remember that even with the big corporate brands, they exist because they want to solve a problem while making money in the process. 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. Although the FDA considers titanium dioxide safe, the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." 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. Is this an emergency? So now that you know why you should avoid conventional menstrual products at all costs, lets explore some healthier alternatives and brands! Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-peg-compounds-contaminants/, Watson, S. (2019, July 11). I do think that they have an image problem because of that.. But it said that the concern of genotoxicity the ability for a substance to harm a cells DNA could not be completely ruled out. Our editors independently select these products. "[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. "We really know very little, or almost nothing really, about something that could impact the health of millions of women," she said. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? Additionally, ethylene oxide can also harm the nervous system and has been classified as a developmental toxicant by the California Environmental Protection Agency. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. Pain Inserting a Tampon? The second reason? (That's slowly changing after New York passed a law requiring ingredients lists on menstrual products sold in the state). "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. 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., . On its own, paraffin is greasy and has an unpleasant odour. For us, choosing organic is a proactive choice. The compasses are off" because of a shift in the Earths poles. National Library of Medicines list The vagina is an extremely sensitive organ and using plastic derived ingredients is a big no no! Is Titanium Dioxide Safe in Tampons? Because lets face it- we should not be putting toxic chemicals inside of our bodies on a regular basis. 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. Just because titanium dioxide may show signs of toxicity when eaten or inhaled, doesnt mean all exposure is dangerous. Change). T his past August, a video about titanium dioxide in tampons went viral on TikTok. The amount of titanium dioxide in each tampon is minuscule. 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. 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. We spoke to ob-gyn James A. Gohar, MD, co-founder and CEO of Viva Eve, to set the record straight on this substance in question, including whether it poses any risk to your reproductive health (or otherwise) and which tampon products are safest. But titanium dioxide's possible deleterious effects extend beyond ingesting it. And there honestly isn't a ton of reliable data on the ingredient to help us draw better conclusions, argues the authors of this 2011 review. "Most tampons list their ingredients on the back of the package," Dr. Gohar says. "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. Massachusetts events honor legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Fire breaks out at Wolfeboro grocery store. They have teams of scientists and gynecologists. It is considered one of the most dangerous fabrics, but is still one of the main ingredients in our menstrual products! Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. What is Titanium Dioxide (and should you be worried)? 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. He added that the vaginal mucosa has lots of blood vessels, which allow it to absorb what's in tampons, leading to complications like toxic shock syndrome. This ensures the product has been tested, and undergoes regular testing, to meet specific standards. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. The ban was related to really concern and hypothetical risks, she stressed. As a result, it's not too difficult to shop for TiO2-free tampons if you're concernedand have the financial means to do so. "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.". They dont set out to do harm. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. It's a scary and emotional story. Study after study has flagged concerns about the potential damaging effects of titanium dioxide on organs like the liver and kidney. 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. 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. This ingredient is used by Tampax as a wax to keep the [tampon] string clean. 33701 Another TikToker, zt0n3r.hippie, responded by saying "now I know" the cause of her own reproductive health problems. 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. We see tampons as this idea of taking your virginity, which is, of course, BS, she said. Because exposure levels are very low, it is likely this is a very low carcinogenic risk. So, do organic tampons contain titanium dioxide? 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. 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 brand, L., markets itself as "accessible period care made with ingredients inspired by nature," according to its website. Most people assume that their personal products are safe and are willing to use them regardless of ingredients which is why big companies are still using cheap and unsafe ingredients. Typically, "higher doses can be used topically in a safe manner," he says. 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. 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? For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The information that I retrieved about the ingredients found in varying menstrual products can be found on Tampax.com. "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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. "Our high-quality ingredients are rigorously tested and meet strict safety and government regulations around the world.". Lincoln said this led some to believe that the substance has been proven to be cancerous. 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. View all posts by Sara Mastrangelo. The video has 630,000 views and nearly 14,00 comments. There are several health concerns regarding TiO2. Which is why you might be alarmed by recent claims on social media about tampons. But this is not the only report that is sparking concerns. Someone had posted a TikTok about the dangers of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and it went viral. I dont want to speak much on something that I personally have never tried, but I have heard great things about the Diva Cup! And although there is no evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons is unsafe, it has never been officially investigated. "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." Rayon is a semi synthetic fabric made from recycled wood pulp. Regarding risk of cancer, there is an oft-cited study that shows that chronic high-level exposure of inhaled TiO2 could be linked to lung cancer in rats. Needless to say, we need to start voting with our money and stop buying products that we know are not good for us. 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? 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. Its a compound that reflects light particles. All rights reserved. When Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, while other swear by menstrual cups or tampons. Organic doesnt necessarily mean better and non-organic doesnt equal danger. Titanium dioxide can also be in food, according to the National Library of Medicine. Plus, Gunter explained that titanium dioxide tends to stick to whatever fabric it is on, and is not easily washed out. "To date, there is no published research that has researched the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Eyvazzadeh said. Its a compound that reflects light particles. (LogOut/ Meghan Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com. We go through many phases both before and after our monthly cycles based on the hormones being released. 1800 I Street NW "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. However, paraffin is far from clean! The FDA also lists titanium dioxide as a safe ingredient for use in cosmetics. Toxins released from rayon can also rarely cause tissue necrosis for people who regularly wear clothing made of this fabric. 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. If people just do a quick Google search, it can be a bit confusing.. And yet, without any studies, we cannot rule out the possibility that titanium dioxide is not safe. During clinical trials the amount of titanium dioxide And it functions the same in tampons: Titanium dioxide serves as a coloring agent to make your period products appear whiter, Dr. Gohar says. https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/titanium-dioxide-in-tampons-pads-48908320, https://www.canada-organic.ca/sites/default/files/organic_labelling_in_canada_booklet_aug2018.pdf, https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2014/10/23/organic-101-organic-brand-nameorganic-package. 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. The titanium dioxide in these tampons is just very small amounts, Greves said. But if you are truly looking for organic, look for certifications on the packaging. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. 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). The carbon disulphide emitted from rayon has been proven to cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, headaches and chest pain when inhaled. "But it's the dose, it's the route that makes the 'poison,' and so just because something might cause lung cancer, for example, doesn't mean it's going to cause an issue in a tampon. The European Unionrecently banned it as a food additive but the FDA has not. There are many substances, including medications, that we safely encounter or consume on a regular basis. Less than 0.1% of titanium dioxide is used in the total ingredients of tampons. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring.. 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. How he got caught. OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? For instance, certain plastics and artificial adhesives have been shown to increase the risk of vulva-vaginal infections and contact dermatitis. "If you use these, STOP RIGHT NOW!! 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. Stay up to date with what you want to know. "Again, the data is inconclusive on whether these products are really linked to excessive bleeding, cancer and infertility, so it's not right or wrong to continue using these products based on currently available information," Dr. Gohar says. [TiO2] may cause cancer based on studies done on animals, and it Because there's so little conclusive research on the potential effects of titanium dioxide, you're not going to find clear, concise guidance for tampon shopping by studying up. That is why its so important to take your own health into account and start educating yourself on common ingredients. Journal of Injury and Violence Research,1(1), 3-5. doi:10.5249/jivr.v1i1.1, The Dirty Dozen: PEG Compounds and their contaminants. Theyve got their ingredients listed on the box and on their website.. 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! Because of the mixed evidence, it was classified as "possibly" carcinogenic. "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. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. " Titanium Dioxide is a pigment that is used in both pads and tampons to make them appear whiter. 20006, Florida 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. 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. To say this guy likes his scientific studies is an understatement. Tampons are great. "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. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.). 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. 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. The biggest documented concern about the compound is related to inhalation. Its not like a company can throw anything in there, Lincoln said. Its use as a food additive was banned in the European Union. #notokay. 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 Magic Johnson tested positive for HIV "because Faucis gain of function study used a contaminated Hepatitis B vaccine. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! Aug. 6, 2022, theSkimm, "What To Know About Titanium Dioxide In Tampons and Skittles," Aug. 4, 2022, The Vajenda, "Titanium dioxide isn't making tampons into toxic death sticks," Aug. 3, 2022, Kimberly-Clark, "U by Kotex Ingredients and Purposes," accessed Aug. 8, 2022, L. (tampon brand), "FAQs," accessed Aug. 9, 2022, Tampax, "What are tampons made of?" Titanium dioxide has bubbled up to the top of our feed again, but this time it's not in Skittles, it's in tampons. Find him on Instagram@dr.daignault. He is also a former United States Peace Corps Volunteer. 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. The titanium dioxide many of the products contain is a naturally occurring mineral used in numerous everyday products as a pigment to keep colors bright and white or filter ultraviolet rays. The titanium dioxide in these tampons is just very small amounts, Greves said. We need to know the truth about tampons. 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 Vaginal pH imbalances can lead Most people assume that menstrual products contain safe, non-toxic ingredients. 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.. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the The FDA classifies tampons and pads as medical devices, and thus manufacturers of these products are recommended, but not required, to list their ingredients. 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 ", The post was flagged as part of Facebooks efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. However, a recent study conducted in November 2020 demonstrated that micro plastics are released from propylene infant feeding bottles. 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? "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. TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. 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. Sunscreen, for example, can have up to 25% titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and both the FDA and EU consider it to be safe. Some research, mostly conducted in animals, has found titanium dioxide to be harmful when inhaled and consumed, typically in large quantities. This brand is my go to- you can find it at Loblaws or even Amazon! 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. The product in question in the TikTok video is one that is labeled as organic and yet it contains titanium dioxide. According to Safe Cosmetics.org, titanium dioxide does not penetrate healthy or even unhealthy, burnt skin, and so "poses no local or systemic risk to human health" when used topically. best race for priest wow classic, who is mikey williams sister, arapahoe county noise ordinance, bulgarian biscuit cake, ex esposo de adela micha sergio, did i have a seizure quiz, react data grid github, villaware pizzelle maker parts, what is a polemic divorce, idanywhere authentication, inspecteur lewis saison 10, are late july chips fried, similarities between us and nicaragua culture, who is tara in a place to stand, weirton daily times daily happenings,

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