Stressing itll rupture or cause my ovary to twist while my husband is hours away. 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. 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. And many of these chemicals have been associated with contributing to cancer and other medical problems. https://www.ccohs.ca/headlines/text186.html, [2] EFSA (2021) Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive. Titanium dioxide is common chemical. The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK.. "I stopped using tampons when I noticed they'd irritate my lady parts after use. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs can act like the naturally occurring hormones in your body. This is what manufacturers need to know that people are reading these things and asking these questions.. The 2023 Complete Python Certification Bootcamp Bundle, Mourning the Loss of Addison Raes Debut Album | The Meme Machine. But we [also] don't have the data to support, Don't worry about this. "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." Price at time of publication: $6.98 for 20 count. Peter Weiss, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN and expert in women's health. I wear zero makeup. Which is why you might be alarmed by recent claims on social media about tampons. Titanium Dioxide, or TiO2, is a white coloring agent used in cosmetic products, toothpaste, deodorant, desserts and paint. Meaning, you dont have to worry that the blood soaked tampon string is leaking titanium dioxide nanoparticles into your vagina.. Now that you know the difference between organic and non-organic tampons, if you are looking to make the switch to more eco-friendly period products, we've got you covered. The nice thing is that finally companies are at least required to tell you what is in their products. 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. So what do you do instead? ", One shopper wrote, "I used to use Tampax, but things changed as I got older and I needed something more absorbent and more comfortable. These products are made from cotton and it is actually the cotton contained in these products that are the potential problem. Some worry it causes cancer, irregular periods. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. The reality is that these products are under-researched so we just dont know what impacts they may be having on our health, because neither researchers or companies are asking the questions that need to be asked. The European Union banned titanium dioxide in food earlier this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service. Titanium dioxide was news to me; no companies have ever disclosed using it before. It's used in sunscreen, toothpaste, some food, and it is used to whiten the string of tampons. And they made that call after food safety officials said it could damage DNA, which could lead to cancer. Read reviews and buy Tampax Pure Cotton Tampons - Super - 24ct at Target. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved titanium dioxide for human consumption in 1966, cementing its presence in a variety of foods, including candies and other processed foods.. Some are alleging that a common ingredient found in many tampon brands called titanium dioxide can cause excessive bleeding, infertility and even cancer. [My container] doesnt say it, but its getting thrown out regardless, because how can I consciously just be like, Oh sure, yeah, I trust you. So yeah, go check your fucking box and if you had any adverse symptoms like her, call a fucking lawyer.. Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. I have been researching health impacts of pads and tampons for nearly a decade, so I love having all this new ingredient info. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); Alkaline water:Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? Once again we are reminded how important it is that we have ingredient information, and how woefully under-researched the potential impacts that ingredients used in menstrual products and intimate care products might be having on vaginal and vulvar health. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx. In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive. Addressing a popular TikTok concern over titanium dioxide getting absorbed by the vagina, Gunter said that this doesnt happen because of titanium dioxides chemical composition. You know why? T. Since tampons are inserted inside our bodies for hours at a time, it makes sense that people would have safety concerns, but Dr. Ross says there is no reason for concern. Lincoln said this led some to believe that. A recent TikTok video went viral with thefalse claim that the titanium dioxide used in L. brand organic tampons is responsible for miscarriages, cancerand a host of other medical problems. If that is the case, you can avoid glyphosate by using alternative feminine hygiene products. 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. But, again, further study is needed.. If you can find products that don't have them, that's gonna lessen your exposure., Follow the less is more approach: Meaning [the] lowest possible use of anything that has not been tested properly, Dr. Cohen said. "Organic tampon companies make claims that the organic tampons are composed of 100% organic cotton, free of chemicals, rayon and synthetics, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, not bleached with chlorine, dioxin free, and free of additive chemicals that may be harmful to a women's health," said Sherry A. Ross, MD, an ob-gyn, author of she-ology and she-ology. I am less concerned with the level of titanium dioxide in tamponsthan I am with how social media users dangerously, and unchecked, amplifymisinformation. And its certainly worth asking: Is it worth a potential risk worth to have a tampon or pad thats just a little more white before you use it? Gunter also added that when products like titanium dioxide are put on fabric, the point is to have them stay on the fabric. As shown in the viral TikTok video, some organic tampons contain titanium dioxide as a bleaching agent. It gets used in a LOT of products and it's probably been in tampons and pads for a long time (just never listed on the label before). 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. Our tampons are safe and all the ingredients that we use are rigorously tested to meet strict safety and government regulations around the world, Erica Noble, spokesperson for Procter & Gamble, said. Certainly the laws and the regulatory issues are so paramount because that's how we got into this pickle to begin with, Dr. Cohen said. It became the first state in the nation to do so. This summer's viral TikTok on titanium dioxide in tampons focused on the brand This is L., which was acquired by Procter and Gamble in 2019. As far as hypothetical exposure risk, the tampon would pose a more significant exposure as it is worn internally. "Similar to choosing organic vegetables, it's an alternative, but not necessarily better or safer for women to consume. As of the time of publication of this article, Morgans TikTok as well as others on the subject with the hashtag #titaniumdioxide were still on the platform racking up views. So while on the one hand no study has positively linked titanium dioxide exposure to ovarian cancer, or miscarriages, or UTIs we also simply dont have the science to assure us that this kind of exposure is perfectly safe either. $46 at Amazon. While most options on this list are more expensive than other tampons you can find in the aisles of your favorite drugstore, Just's tampons are as affordable as they are eco-friendly. Tampax. 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. Never ever in my life have had an ovarian cyst. Reusable tampons may carry additional risks of infections such as yeast, fungal, and bacterial infections. 6 min read. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Shoppers love that they are made from responsibly sourced, organic cotton and that their applicator is made from 92% of plant-based materials. Wondering the Best Organic Tampons? ", If you do decide to give organic tampons a try, Dr. Ross recommends checking the box for ingredients before buying. Overall, what i know is there is two types of titanium dioxide but now the food grade is considered unfit for Skittles. The FDA has tested and cleared traditionally used tampons for women to use safely and with confidence.". (no offense) Switch it up: Try something different for a month particularly if you're having some sort of acute reaction and see how you feel, Scranton suggested. No tampon should be used more than once. However there is not enough proof showing titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be harmful. Tampons are designed to be inserted into the vagina with or without an applicator. It makes items white. Theres even a lawsuit alleging that the candy company Mars, which makes Skittles, didnt inform its customers about the potential taste the rainbow dangers of titanium dioxide in its product. A recent TikTok video went viral with the false claim that the titanium dioxide used in L. brand organic tampons is responsible for miscarriages, cancer and a host of other medical problems. Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. Read our, What Exposure Could Mean for Your Reproductive Health. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? But titanium dioxides potential health effects depend on how it's used. This is totally safe.. Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. 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Chemistry class was a long time ago. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; $17.50 ($0.24/Count) Sold by Utopia Distributors and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. What we need to think about is, if that's what can happen within the gut, there's a lot to be said for what can happen in the vaginal area., Scranton is among the many experts who agree that its a topic that requires more investigation. The chemical substance also seems to have a potentially negative impact on the gut microbiome, Dr. Gohar says. Including. How well do you know the ingredients in the foods you eat or products you use every day? "As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth's crust and is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron. Thanks, So sorry to hear of your experience it is indeed a frustrating situation. So there are lots of ways to be exposed to this chemical. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. And then look up and vet the products that we do have available.. Subscribe to receive Consumer Updates email notifications. Comes with twelve different courses comprised of a huge number of lessons, and each one will help you learn more about Python itself, and can be accessed when you want and as often as you want forever, making it ideal for learning a new skill. Are We Seeing the End of Scented Tampons? Im 27 years old. Tampax comes in light, regular, and super absorbencies and . ', Consuming it orally appears to be a different story. Indeed, this white pigment lightens everything from paints, paper coatings and plastics to sunscreen, pharmaceutical tablets, flours and dairy products, according to the National Library of Medicine. 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. You can also register your story with the FDA Medwatch program their online form is here: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=consumer.reporting1 and on that form you can offer as much or as little information as you wish. Morgan explains that she learned about the purported dangers of these tampons after TikTok showed her a video of a girl using the same brand that had experienced two weeks of excessive bleeding and extreme pain, ovarian cysts, and irreversible uterine damage. 2023Well+Good LLC. Let's take a moment to review cotton production and the concept of GMO (genetically modified organism) farming. Understandably, some folks are pretty mad, some are very concerned.