Unfortunately, this question doesnt have a simple answer. Tampons are not intended to be used at any other time or . Still, peoples stories on social media have left many shaken. Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. 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. We will keep fighting for the need for safer products and more thorough research! Then you can make your own decision. This is what manufacturers need to know that people are reading these things and asking these questions.. "[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 all know social media is a breeding ground for misinformation and disinformation. Only use tampons when you have your period. Shoppers love that they are made from responsibly sourced, organic cotton and that their applicator is made from 92% of plant-based materials. ", The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved titanium dioxide for human consumptionin 1966, cementing its presence in a variety of foods, including candies and other processed foods. Fortunately, many new wave period-care companies are extremely transparent about their ingredients lists. 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. Cause-and-effect can only be established by rigorous randomized-control, double-blindclinical research trials or meta-analyses of multiple smaller studies, for example. We know from rat studies, rats that inhale it are getting lung cancer.. People have gotten into a debate over whether or not organic tampons and pads shorten the length of menstrual cycles. Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. PO Box 8743 Titanium dioxide is commonly found in countless everyday products including food, cosmetics, drugs, paper and toothpaste. 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.. Lifetime customer here. Titanium dioxide is common chemical. However, as of 2022, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) still . There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. I believe we all have a responsibility to better and more critically appraise social media content, particularly with regard to health and medical information. Only tampons that have been cleared by the FDA can be legally marketed in the U.S. Also, it may be genotoxic, meaning it can harm your DNA. 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. "I don't feel as though organic tampons are necessarily any safer than the traditionally manufactured tampons available to the consumer," she said. That said, ovarian cysts are not that rare, and it is possible that it is just coincidental with the folks using This is L. tampons but certainly there should be enough reason now to investigate if there are connections. I started switching to organic food, so why not beauty/hygiene products as well? These [are comfortable and] do what they need to, and I don't need to worry about leaks the way I used to. 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. This means that farmers could use this herbicide to kill the weeds in their fields without worrying about it harming the cotton crops. According to the brand, the tampons feature a unique design that keeps "fluids locked in the core for added security. 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. Likely in your daily life, you have much more significant exposures to this class of chemicals. 3 Safety Considerations for Silica Supplements. "[P]revious studies have shown that titanium dioxide can cause alterations to the reproductive system, including reducing the ovarian follicles and leading to the formation of ovarian cysts," she says. [1] CCOHS (2019) Titanium Dioxide Classified as Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. ", These organic cotton tampons from Rael have a near-perfect rating on Amazon thanks to their leak-locking technology and ultra-slim BPA-free applicator that glides in easily and comfortably. A TikTok with more than 3 million views is raising questions about just that. "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. L. Organic Cotton Ultra Thin Pads for Women, Regular Absorbency, Free from Chlorine Bleaching Pesticides Fragrances Or Dyes, 84 Count. Aka a common coloring agent. Tampons cleared by the FDA are meant to be used one time and then thrown away. Meanwhile, other countries are cracking down on the coloring agent. of using pads and tampons with titanium dioxidewe just don't know for certain. The danger is that people will listen to the sensationalized viral video, instead of having a real conversation about risks with their doctor or health care provider.. There are however many brands who do not use this in their period products. The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the L. Organic Cotton Regular and Super Absorbency Compact Tampons 76CT. However, there are no trials to validate this finding in humans. Study after study has flagged concerns about the potential damaging effects of titanium dioxide on organs like the liver and kidney. But this amount varies by product. In 2021, the EFSA ruled that titanium dioxide is unsafe as a food additive and is suspected of causing cancer. Theres been a lot of alarmist concern, she said. And they made that call after food safety officials said it could damage DNA, which could lead to cancer. You know why? For many, the video has raised awareness about an important issue: The chemicals in our products. Wallace told Gizmodo in an email that anecdotal stories like the one in Morgans TikTok go viral all the time because they are sensational and get a lot of shares and comments. This is misleading; the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the compound's use in food and cosmetics, and experts say no studies have proven a link between tampon strings and cancer in humans. Walmart customers love these super plus organic cotton tampons from Lola so much, they have given them an impressive 4.3-star rating. Experts resounding answer: We dont have enough data. But TiO2 is insoluble in water meaning that it cannot be dissolved into smaller particles. Not surprisingly, because it is easier to spray weeds than it is to remove them by hand or machine, farmers started using more and more of this herbicide. Inhaling titanium dioxide may also result in adverse respiratory reactions, Dr. Gohar says. Tampons are designed to be inserted into the vagina with or without an applicator. "Best product ever," raved one customer. "I have been using these for a few years now and I love them," raved one shopper. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx. Dr. Katrine Wallace, an epidemiologist and adjunct assistant professor at University of Illinois at Chicago, is another debunker of TikTok misinformation and has more than 267,000 followers on the platform. Health First: A Cleaning Products Industry Roadmap for Selecting Safer Chemicals, Beyond the Label: Health Impacts of Harmful Ingredients in Cleaning Products, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=consumer.reporting1, More Period Policies are Addressing Ingredient Safety and Transparency, Thinx PFAS Lawsuit Also Calls Attention to Nanosilver Concerns, Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022: MOCRA Explained, First US approval of indoor air disinfectant draws NGO criticism, Johnson & Johnson Will Discontinue Talc-Based Baby Powder Globally in 2023. It wasnt that long ago (read: 2020) that a New York law requiring ingredients to be listed in period product packaging went into effect. Both TikTok users are falling prey to the correlation, not causation trap. "The potential risks of titanium dioxide vary depending on the method of exposure," says Dr. Eyvazzadeh. productslearn more about No rayon, dyes, perfumes, colors, or chlorine is used to make them either. 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. In addition to being gynecologist-tested, the tampons are also biodegradable and free from fragrances, dyes, synthetics, and chemicals. I am less concerned with the level of titanium dioxide in tamponsthan I am with how social media users dangerously, and unchecked, amplifymisinformation. Some worry it causes cancer, irregular periods. But no matter what your period product preference, you shouldn't be worried about whether it can harm your health. No tampon should be used more than once. 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. 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. The other thing that we know [about titanium dioxide is] you don't wanna inhale it, Scranton said. Never ever in my life have had an ovarian cyst. Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. They are in your food, your clothes, your makeup, and skincare products just to name a few of your daily exposures. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. 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. These are the best organic tampons to shop for: Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons. These products are made from cotton and it is actually the cotton contained in these products that are the potential problem. Everyone deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment. In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive. Estimated ship dimensions: 2.795 inches length x 4.37 inches width x 5.669 inches height. We also reached out to Proctor & Gamble, which makes the L. tampons, for comment multiple times with no response. Mounting evidence has resulted in the World Health Organization labeling glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. 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.. One shopper called the Top tampons a "must try" before adding, "I've used many different brands of organic tampons. 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. }(document, 'script', 'advocacy-actionwidget-code')); Womens Voices for the Earth Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare and is caused by a toxic substance that is produced by certain kinds of bacteria. As shown in the viral TikTok video, some organic tampons contain titanium dioxide as a bleaching agent. But what does it mean for tampons, pads, and reproductive health overall? The FDA categorizes titanium dioxide as "Generally Recognized as Safe," but the scare-causing chemical has recently been banned as a food additive in the EU on the basis that experts could not. A world where workers are treated with dignity from our paychecks to our working conditions. These videos were chemophobia, Gunter declared, and fear mongering. We all deserve safe products and all you need to do is ask. With all these questions, we turned to experts for answers. Considering each pack comes with 32 tampons, their price isn't even that bad for an all-organic product! And putting the different limits aside, it can be hard to find titanium dioxide on labels because not all companies are required to list it. If you take a quick stroll through the aisles of a grocery store or drugstore, you'll find there's an organic option for just about everything these days, including produce, deodorant, and even tampons. Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? ", Price at time of publication: $10 for 16 count. More: Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? In addition to being made with 100% natural cotton, the tampons don't come with any applicators, so no excess materials need to be thrown away. I think seeking solace and guidance from your physician is key because they may also help clarify [and] help with any anxieties that all this information can provoke., Plan for the future: Scranton encourages people to make calls, send emails, and write reviews to the companies or lawmakers in your life. Tampax comes in light, regular, and super absorbencies and . (If you reside outside of the U.S., please simply enter 00000 for zip code), ph:(406) 543-3747 | womensvoices@womensvoices.org | 2023 All rights reserved |, Introducing WVEs New Plan for a Thriving Future. Although there were also doctors and experts trying to quell the panic, like Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, they were, unfortunately, a minority. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. 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. These options are often referred to as green alternatives and include: By Andrea Chisholm, MD Here are 11 organic tampons that reviewers love. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. However, larger quantities of titanium dioxide might be damaging if ingested, Dr. Gohar says. This is totally safe.. 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. We are committed to working for justice and equity, and are in solidarity with social, racial, and environmental justice organizations to build community, understanding and honest dialogue to address the root causes of violence, harm and hate. Exposure to these chemicals can then interfere with important processes in your body. New study explores the benefits,harms. One reason is that the FDA evaluates whether a tampon enhances the growth of the bacteria that causes TSS before the product can be legally marketed. 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. I can wear them for as long as necessary and there is no leakage. If you use tampons, consider the following: If you have had discomfort or became ill as a result of using a tampon, consider reporting it to MedWatch, the FDAs safety information and adverse event reporting program. Titanium Dioxide, or TiO2, is a white coloring agent used in cosmetic products, toothpaste, deodorant, desserts and paint. I won't use any other brands after these. That brings us to. It became the first state in the nation to do so. 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. Rebecca Carhart is a Senior Ecommerce Reviews Writer covering home, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. $46 at Amazon. Because of this, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists along with the American Reproductive Medicine Society have published a statement encouraging doctors to discuss environmental exposures including certain chemicals especially before and during pregnancy. Overall, what i know is there is two types of titanium dioxide but now the food grade is considered unfit for Skittles. 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. I wear zero makeup. Is this just a big conspiracy someone is trying to push? Think: Many of them are animal studies. AT AMAZON. No issues with the applicator and love the discreet packaging. 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. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring. What is great is that we are reading the ingredients on these products and asking important questions about their safety. Gizmodo reached out to TikTok multiple times on Thursday to ask if it would take any action on content crying wolf about the dangers of titanium dioxide and tampons but did not receive a response. Before any tampons can be legally sold in the U.S., they must go through the FDAs review to determine whether they are as safe and effective as (substantially equivalent to) legally marketed tampons. 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. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. For sunscreen, the research that's been done has looked at how much titanium dioxide do you absorb through your skin when you put it on as a sunscreen, she said. Estimated ship . So people are like, Okay, it's doing a good thing. 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. Is the Acrylamide in Coffee Actually Bad for You? Ask them how they are ensuring the safety of their tampons and pads. It's protecting you from UV rays. "As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth's crust and is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron. But this amount varies by product. In an email statement to theSkimm, the FDA said it has not received any medical device reports related to titanium dioxide and menstrual products. And added that it requires manufacturers to evaluate their period products safety in a number of ways. "I have a very heavy flow, and I find that I don't have to change these too often.