That is why its so important to take your own health into account and start educating yourself on common ingredients. 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. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! That determination prompted authorities in the European Union to ban the substance as a food additive. Its very commonly used as a natural mineral and has been studied in rodents.. National Library of Medicines list 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. Always remember- you are the only one with your health in best interest! Preventing paraffin-related injury. Video of the Day We spoke to ob-gyn James A. Gohar, MD , co-founder and CEO of Viva Eve , to set the record "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Dr. Eyvazzadeh. The information that I retrieved about the ingredients found in varying menstrual products can be found on Tampax.com. The compasses are off" because of a shift in the Earths poles. Titanium dioxide can also be in food, according to the National Library of Medicine. However there is not enough proof showing titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be harmful. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before. 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. 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. Its not like a company can throw anything in there, Lincoln said. So, titanium dioxide on the tampon string is not going to be dissolved and absorbed by menstrual blood; and certainly, will not be absorbed into the body. There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. 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. 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 However, these studies were conducted on mice who orally consumed titanium dioxide, so we'll still need extensive clinical research on humans before we can definitively link TiO2 with reproductive disruptionor assume those risks definitely come from other intakes of the ingredient. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://cfda.com/resources/materials/detail/rayon-viscose, Schwebel, D. C., & Swart, D. (2009). OB-GYN Dr. Jen Gunter posted a response to the controversy on Instagram, calling concerns about it "fearmongering. The TikTok user who posted the video makes theclaim that TiO2 has been linked to cancer and multiple gynecological issues. As you can see, there is not much regulation that goes into the manufacturing of menstrual products. If you dont want to take any chances with this ingredient, try these organic products instead. Its important to question ingredients and read the studies for a balanced view to understand any risk. Journal of Injury and Violence Research,1(1), 3-5. doi:10.5249/jivr.v1i1.1, The Dirty Dozen: PEG Compounds and their contaminants. 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. Change). "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. Some research, mostly conducted in animals, has found titanium dioxide to be harmful when inhaled and consumed, typically in large quantities. Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. Ive written multiple times in this columnabout how an observed association between two events or variables does not necessarily mean that one caused the other. Because exposure levels are very low, it is likely this is a very low carcinogenic risk. "We really know very little, or almost nothing really, about something that could impact the health of millions of women," she said. You would think that with all of the evidence behind the dangers related to this ingredient that it would not be used in menstrual products, however there is very little regulation as you can see! 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. In each of those cases, the cancer was found to be correlational but not causational. Check out my personalized services and be sure to follow me on Instagram for updates , Carbon disulfide US EPA. "But not only that, 'such substances may have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans,'" she continues. "If this worries you, then don't use products that have this," Jennifer Lincoln, MD, shared in a video. However, rayon is processed with many chemicals such as carbon disulphide, sulphuric acid, ammonia, acetone and others. Feminine hygiene products are seen as an employee restocks a shelf at Compton's Market, Wednesday, June 22, 2016, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP). 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? As far as hypothetical exposure risk, the tampon would pose a more significant exposure as it is worn internally. "Psa to all my girlies," the July 31 post said. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. In a previous blog post, Jayesh debunked the myth that non-organic pads can cause cancer since study after study has not proven this. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-peg-compounds-contaminants/, Watson, S. (2019, July 11). Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. 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. 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. Lincoln said this led some to believe that the substance has been proven to be cancerous. "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. We go through many phases both before and after our monthly cycles based on the hormones being released. Titanium Dioxide is a pigment that is used in both pads and tampons to make them appear whiter. Its on the string so its not even in the part of the tampon thats inside the vagina," Lincoln said. I do think that they have an image problem because of that.. Suspect in Whaling Museum's $75,000 artifact theft 'seemed likable'. Rayon is a semi synthetic fabric made from recycled wood pulp. 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. Myths about aluminum and deodorant, explained, Ive written multiple times in this column. 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. The ban was related to really concern and hypothetical risks, she stressed. How can this be? "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.". 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?" Plus, Gunter explained that titanium dioxide tends to stick to whatever fabric it is on, and is not easily washed out. 727-821-9494. Acute Pesticide Poisoning among Female and Male Cotton Growers in India. 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. 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. (2020). Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) occurs when a super-absorbent tampons is inserted for longer than medically recommended, which may lead certain types of bacteria to grow. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. 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. 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. "If you use these, STOP RIGHT NOW!! But if you are truly looking for organic, look for certifications on the packaging. 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 It can also be found in a variety of beauty products and lotions such as sunscreen. He studied Global Health at Georgetown University and has a Medical Degree from Ben-Gurion University. PEGS or polyethylene glycols are petroleum-based compounds that are widely used in the cosmetic industry as thickeners, solvents and softeners. As for the potential risks (or lack thereof!) Reach out! They give women freedom.. Rayon is processed with many other chemicals to be broken down into cellulose, which according to Tampax helps absorb and retain fluid. It's also worth being skeptical of any definitive claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is super harmful. As an emergency roomdoctor, there would be many possible (and more likely) emergency room causes of excessive menstrual bleeding that I would evaluate a patient for. Her team is working on a pilot project analyzing tampons for the presence of metals and pesticides. Although it has been proven to likely be carcinogenic, this ingredient is still used in many products including menstrual products. Organic doesnt necessarily mean better and non-organic doesnt equal danger. However, paraffin is far from clean! Theyre really tightly regulated. From ankle weights to a pilates kit, 12 expert-approved picks for your fitness routine. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. While it sounds scary, the experts stress theres little truth behind these worries. 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. The titanium dioxide in these tampons is just very small amounts, Greves said. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. ", "Titanium dioxide is not an issue," she said, adding that "titanium dioxide doesn't cause reproductive harm when it's on a tampon string.". The second reason? An image shows gas prices on Jan. 6, 2021. But what about its relationship to cancer? Sunscreen can safely contain up to 25% titanium dioxide. 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