titanium dioxide tampons risks

If you Google titanium dioxide and cancer, you are going to see studies that show it has been linked with cancer. This finding prompted the European Union to ban TiO2 as a food additive earlier this year, but in the U.S., the ingredient is still considered to be safe in food at the limits set by the FDA. The classification as bio-inert material has given the possibility to normal-sized (>100 nm) titanium dioxide particles (TiO2-NPs) to be extensively used in food products and as ingredients in a wide range of pharmaceutical products and cosmetics, such This greatly increases the risk of residues being present in your personal products and can throw off the natural pH balance within your vagina. Get it daily. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. The choice is yours. What I want to get at here is that its so important to not add toxic chemicals to your cycle because this can later cause hormonal imbalances, bacterial infections or even a heavier flow. They dont set out to do harm. At joni, were also proud to have ECO-CERT certified, which also oversees responsible production, recyclable packaging, and the responsible use of resources. 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. This brand is my go to- you can find it at Loblaws or even Amazon! Throughout the week of our actual menstrual cycle, it is so important to allow your body to do a full cleanse! Find him on Instagram@dr.daignault. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. But what about its relationship to cancer? This lack of data is incredibly frustrating, given that 26 percent of the global population are of reproductive age and presumably using pads and tampons on the regular to manage their cycles. And its equally important to question the motivations behind trending conspiracies that prey on emotions (and boost social virality), adds Jayesh. Have an idea for an article? Nature Food,1(11), 746-754. doi:10.1038/s43016-020-00171-y, Ltd, B. S. (2021, April 27). We see tampons as something that could potentially harm us, Lincoln said. accessed Aug. 9, 2022, Chemical Safety Facts, "Titanium Dioxide | Use, Benefits, and Chemical Safety Facts," accessed Aug. 8, 2022, International Agency for Research on Cancer, "Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans VOLUME 93 Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc," 2010, International Agency for Research on Cancer, "Studies of Cancer in Experimental Animals - Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc," 2010, Healthline, "Titanium dioxide in food Should you be concerned?" It is considered one of the most dangerous fabrics, but is still one of the main ingredients in our menstrual products! As Dr. Eyvazzadeh points out, we just don't know either wayno matter how certain Becky on TikTok seems. Organic doesnt necessarily mean better and non-organic doesnt equal danger. Rayon is a semi synthetic fabric made from recycled wood pulp. If people just do a quick Google search, it can be a bit confusing.. 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. One of our founding values at joni is radical transparency. 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. 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. Case in point: exposure to titanium dioxide may destroy good gut microbes, cause gut dysfunction and increase intestinal inflammation, according to a February 2021 systematic review of animal studies published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.. Tampons require the FDAs premarket review evaluating the products safety and effectiveness. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. Vaginal pH imbalances can lead to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and can cause allergy related symptoms such as itching. 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. 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. And although there is no evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons is unsafe, it has never been officially investigated. Titanium Dioxide is a pigment that is used in both pads and tampons to make them appear whiter. We see tampons as something that could potentially harm us, Lincoln said. But there is also no published research on vaginal 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. If a tampon shortage in the USA wasnt enough, theres now a terrifying TikTok about the effects of titanium dioxide in tampons with an emotional story that hits home for menstruators. 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. But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. This can be experienced emotionally such as crying (PMS) or even just focusing more on your diet. Ron DeSantis signs bill requiring Florida students, professors to register political views with (the) state., J.K. Rowling tweeted, If you American birds could keep your legs closed then maybe you wouldnt need abortions in the first place?, "The Supreme Court ruled that border agents can enter anyones home within a 100-mile radius of the border without a warrant for any reason and federal courts cannot do anything about it.". The research from the IARC did however acknowledge that its lacking the connection to a human study that would confirm long-term effects. "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. Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. Additionally, ethylene oxide can also harm the nervous system and has been classified as a developmental toxicant by the California Environmental Protection Agency. St. Petersburg, FL Examples of this include the follicular phase, ovulatory phase and the luteal phase. Theyve got their ingredients listed on the box and on their website.. It also appears insunscreen and cosmetics, two categories in which the ingredient is also generally considered safe. It tells the story of a woman whoafter using a specific organic tampon branddeveloped cysts and then uterine cancer. PEGS or polyethylene glycols are petroleum-based compounds that are widely used in the cosmetic industry as thickeners, solvents and softeners. Alkaline water:Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? Its not like a company can throw anything in there, Lincoln said. Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. 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 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. If theyre using titanium dioxide, its because related studies have shown it doesnt pose a threat. Cancer is a complex phenomenon that can be correlated with many factors. But TiO2 is insoluble in water meaning that it cannot be dissolved into smaller particles. Titanium dioxide might be one of these. "Psa to all my girlies," the July 31 post said. But there is also no published research on vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide that can guarantee its safety. "The Sun is out of place, the Moon is out of place and the stars are out of place. Not only is it a more environmentally friendly option, it doesnt contain many ingredients that will linger in your body afterwards. The National Library of Medicine noted that there's "inadequate evidence in humans" that the additive contributes to cancer. Tierno said he believed "truly organic tampons" don't, and shouldn't, contain chemicals like titanium dioxide. The Skin Cancer foundation even recommends sunscreen with titanium dioxide to protect against harmful cancer-causing UV rays. "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. "We really know very little, or almost nothing really, about something that could impact the health of millions of women," she said. The Food and Drug Administration considers tampons medical devices, which means the agency has oversight on whats in them. And it functions the same in tampons: Titanium dioxide serves as a coloring agent to make your period products appear whiter, Dr. Gohar says. Preventing paraffin-related injury. 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. While it sounds scary, the experts stress theres little truth behind these worries. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. As you can see, there is not much regulation that goes into the manufacturing of menstrual products. (n.d.). Check out my personalized services and be sure to follow me on Instagram for updates , Carbon disulfide US EPA. That said, with all the scientific evidence accumulating in other areas, consumers should be more aware of titanium dioxide's potential effect on reproductive health, Dr. Gohar says. Titanium dioxide exposure would not be on that list. (That's slowly changing after New York passed a law requiring ingredients lists on menstrual products sold in the state). 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?" 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! Titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in many products to make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. 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. "It's important to know that our tampons are safe to use," he said. The TikTok user who posted the video makes theclaim that TiO2 has been linked to cancer and multiple gynecological issues. The vagina is an extremely sensitive organ and using plastic derived ingredients is a big no no! 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. Period. So are organic tampons better? 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. Existing research sheds little conclusive light on this claim. Tampons are great. Sunscreen, for example, can have up to 25% titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and both the FDA and EU consider it to be safe. ", "Titanium dioxide is not an issue," she said, adding that "titanium dioxide doesn't cause reproductive harm when it's on a tampon string.". of using pads and tampons with titanium dioxidewe just don't know for certain. And yet, without any studies, we cannot rule out the possibility that titanium dioxide is not safe. 4 min read. ". Massachusetts events honor legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Fire breaks out at Wolfeboro grocery store. 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 amount of titanium dioxide in each tampon is minuscule. Fear of tampons may persist because of their association with toxic shock syndrome, Greves and Lincoln theorized. Titanium dioxide is a common ingredient in tampons, and tampon use has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.). 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. Lets look at what can happen with an acute TiO2 exposure: The last route absorption is the route of question when it comes to the TiO2 in tampons. 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. California has twice the population of New York, but spends $260 billion, while New York spends $220 billion. Typically, "higher doses can be used topically in a safe manner," he says. And thats it. One of our founding values at joni is radical transparency. 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. 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. Another TikToker, zt0n3r.hippie, responded by saying "now I know" the cause of her own reproductive health problems. Its pretty worth enough for me. (The FDA says that manufacturers can have no more than 1 percent TiO2 in food.). "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.". "As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth's crust and is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron. Titanium dioxide is commonly found in countless everyday products including food, cosmetics, drugs, paper and toothpaste. When Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, while other swear by menstrual cups or tampons. 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. 33701 They are about the same price as regular pads and tampons, but contain much cleaner ingredients! In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive. I do think that they have an image problem because of that.. Although it has been proven to likely be carcinogenic, this ingredient is still used in many products including menstrual products. 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. 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. Organyc is also a safe and clean choice for menstrual products. 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. 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. Are Skittles Toxic from Titanium Dioxide? Always remember- you are the only one with your health in best interest! Journal of Injury and Violence Research,1(1), 3-5. doi:10.5249/jivr.v1i1.1, The Dirty Dozen: PEG Compounds and their contaminants. Her video has 3.6 million views. And it would be a stretch to correlate a possible connection in rats to a true cause-and-effect in humans. We definitely need more activism and awareness around this issue! Full disclosure: our ingredient list is simple and does not contain titanium dioxide or any other chemicals or fragrances. The second reason? 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. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx. Some country-level occupational health and safety organizations cite a lack of high-quality studiesfrom which they can draw any concrete conclusions about the long-term risks of 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?" Genetically modified cotton was introduced in 1996 (only 25 years ago) and is thought to be one of the worlds dirtiest crops. But this is not the only report that is sparking concerns. The levels of inhalation being evaluated were in occupational conditions, like titanium dioxide manufacturing, much higher than the average consumer. Is the titanium dioxide in tampons toxic? We need your help. Some are alleging that a common ingredient found in many tampon brands called titanium dioxide can cause excessive bleeding, infertility and even cancer. Wang, J. J. 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. 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. In studies examining cancer and titanium dioxide in animals, the animals inhaled it and did not ingest it or insert it, Lincoln said. 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. Propylene is a plastic that is found in food containers like those that hold yogurt, cream cheese and butter products. In the study, 48 regions were surveyed to estimate the global exposure to infants up to 12 months. For us, choosing organic is a proactive choice. "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. Is polypropylene a safe plastic to use in your home? However, paraffin is far from clean! I believe we all have a responsibility to better and more critically appraise social media content, particularly with regard to health and medical information. "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. Both TikTok users are falling prey to the correlation, not causation trap. When titanium dioxide is used, we assume it isnt in large quantities. Titanium dioxide can also be in food, according to the National Library of Medicine. View all posts by Sara Mastrangelo. 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. It tells the story of a woman whoafter using a specific organic tampon branddeveloped cysts and then uterine cancer. Some of the fear mongering about tampons seems to be because the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as a Group 2B carcinogen, meaning possibly carcinogenic to humans. But theres an important caveat hereby inhalation. This was from studies where rats were inhaling high doses. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/titanium_dioxide.html, Joy, R. (2020, September 23). This ensures the product has been tested, and undergoes regular testing, to meet specific standards. Titanium dioxide has bubbled up to the top of our feed again, but this time it's not in Skittles, it's in tampons. as well as other partner offers and accept our. 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. Paraffin on its own can cause inflammation and irritation, but with the concoction of other chemicals added during production, its the perfect storm to throw off your pH. 1800 I Street NW I really appreciate your positive feedback . 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. Whether titanium dioxide is toxic depends on how a person is exposed to it and in what amount. During clinical trials the amount of titanium dioxide 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. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. Thank you so much for reading my blog! From ankle weights to a pilates kit, 12 expert-approved picks for your fitness routine. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), California Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/carbon-disulfide.pdf, https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/titanium_dioxide.html, https://www.healthline.com/health/is-polypropylene-safe, https://balmonds.co.uk/blogs/blog/the-problem-with-paraffin-in-emollients, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypropylene#Health_concerns, https://cfda.com/resources/materials/detail/rayon-viscose, https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-peg-compounds-contaminants/, https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vaginal-ph-balance. The safest bet, according to Tierno, is to use pads. It can also be found in a variety of beauty products and lotions such as sunscreen. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. I do think that they have an image problem because of that.. They found values ranging from 14,600-4,550,000 particles per capita per day, depending on the region. It's also worth being skeptical of any definitive claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is super harmful. For instance, certain plastics and artificial adhesives have been shown to increase the risk of vulva-vaginal infections and contact dermatitis. This ingredient is widely used to provide a whiter appearance and opacity to products such as paints, plastics, papers, inks, foods and toothpaste. 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?

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