In studies examining cancer and titanium dioxide in animals, the animals inhaled it and did not ingest it or insert it, Lincoln said. Because of the mixed evidence, it was classified as "possibly" carcinogenic. Needless to say, we need to start voting with our money and stop buying products that we know are not good for us. ", Email Interview with gynecologist Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, Aug. 10, 2022, Email Interview with American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Aug. 9, 2022. We recommend looking at the whole picture by looking for certifications and asking what those certifications entail. 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. Its pretty worth enough for me. "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." But TikTokers and commenters are questioning why the tampons contain titanium dioxide, a chemical compound often used as a whitening agent. The second reason? The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK. Still, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has an established what it calls a "permissible exposure limit" to keep industry workers safe. ". Its production is not sustainable nor environmentally friendly, making it a harmful and unnecessary ingredient in our menstrual products. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. Have an idea for an article? This brand is my go to- you can find it at Loblaws or even Amazon! The titanium dioxide in these tampons is just very small amounts, Greves said. The compasses are off" because of a shift in the Earths poles. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. 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. OEKO-TEX, for example, is a popular certification for textiles that tests for potentially harmful substances, from raw materials through to the finished productand re-testing occurs every three years. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. " Lincoln said this led some to believe that the substance has been proven to be cancerous. Alkaline water:Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? Another TikToker, zt0n3r.hippie, responded by saying "now I know" the cause of her own reproductive health problems. 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. However, titanium dioxide isn't just a popular ingredient in food. 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. This greatly increases the risk of residues being present in your personal products and can throw off the natural pH balance within your vagina. Myths about aluminum and deodorant, explained, Ive written multiple times in this column. Jayesh adds that we have to be careful to not make assumptions without evidence-based facts. 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. Toxins released from rayon can also rarely cause tissue necrosis for people who regularly wear clothing made of this fabric. Her team is working on a pilot project analyzing tampons for the presence of metals and pesticides. Once that social media seed is planted, it is extremely difficult to convince people otherwise. Consuming rice and beans, milk, cheese, butter and eggs causes disease by age 30. Several viral videos posted to TikTok and Instagram have claimed titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, is harmful for people who use tampons. 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 The vagina is an extremely sensitive organ and using plastic derived ingredients is a big no no! "To date, there is no published research that has researched the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Eyvazzadeh said. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. Vaginal pH imbalances can lead to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and can cause allergy related symptoms such as itching. TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Foods, Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Cosmetics, Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Drugs, Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Medical Devices, The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely, Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-The-Counter Human Use, European Union: Titanium Dioxide Banned as a Food Additive in the EU, Opinion on Titanium dioxide (TiO2) used in cosmetic products that lead to exposure by inhalation, Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive, Safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive, Critical review of the safety assessment of titanium dioxide additives in food, Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive: Current science report. Its very commonly used as a natural mineral and has been studied in rodents.. Aside from the negative health effects associated with GM cotton, thousands of cotton farmers and their families suffer from pesticide poisoning every year. So what do you do 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. However, larger quantities of titanium dioxide might be damaging if ingested, Dr. Gohar says. (2021, May 01). 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. Its a compound that reflects light particles. Some are alleging that a common ingredient found in many tampon brands called titanium dioxide can cause excessive bleeding, infertility and even cancer. When Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, while other swear by menstrual cups or tampons. However, rayon is processed with many chemicals such as carbon disulphide, sulphuric acid, ammonia, acetone and others. 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. Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy. "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. Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. 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. One of our founding values at joni is radical transparency. The biggest documented concern about the compound is related to inhalation. 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. It also appears insunscreen and cosmetics, two categories in which the ingredient is also generally considered safe. Given that titanium dioxide has already been linked to causing adverse reactions, it is not unreasonable to be cautiously concerned. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 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 brand, L., markets itself as "accessible period care made with ingredients inspired by nature," according to its website. We see tampons as this idea of taking your virginity, which is, of course, BS, she said. Our editors independently select these products. One of our founding values at joni is radical transparency. The FDA classifies tampons and pads as medical devices, and thus manufacturers of these products are recommended, but not required, to list their ingredients. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Reach out! But there is also no published research on vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide that can guarantee its safety. In studies examining cancer and titanium dioxide in animals, the animals inhaled it and did not ingest it or insert it, Lincoln said. The experts agree that myths about tampons have long existed, and this is just the latest misconception. Some cotton farmers earn less than $2.00 a day for their cotton and spend up to 60% of their annual income on pesticides. Full disclosure: our ingredient list is simple and. "We really know very little, or almost nothing really, about something that could impact the health of millions of women," she said. Titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in many products to make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. Although the FDA considers titanium dioxide safe, the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." 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. TiO2 was nevertheless banned as a food additive in the EU as of this month. Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. Chemicals and ingredients found in conventional tampons have many unadvertised side effects and dangers so lets get into it and explore healthier alternatives! Some research, mostly conducted in animals, has found titanium dioxide to be harmful when inhaled and consumed, typically in large quantities. "If this worries you, then don't use products that have this," Jennifer Lincoln, MD, shared in a video. 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