Inhaling titanium dioxide may also result in adverse respiratory reactions, Dr. Gohar says. If people just do a quick Google search, it can be a bit confusing.. We see tampons as something that could potentially harm us, Lincoln said. Someone had posted a TikTok about the dangers of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and it went viral. Still, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has an established what it calls a "permissible exposure limit" to keep industry workers safe. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. " Concerns over titanium dioxide, used by many tampon brands to keep the string looking white, spread to Facebook with one user issuing a warning to her followers. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Dr. Eyvazzadeh. Depending on the manufacturing processes, PEGs can be contaminated with measurable amounts of chemicals such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. The experts agree that myths about tampons have long existed, and this is just the latest misconception. Throughout the week of our actual menstrual cycle, it is so important to allow your body to do a full cleanse! Stay up to date with what you want to know. What To Know About Titanium Dioxide In Tampons and Skittles, Titanium dioxide isn't making tampons into toxic death sticks, Titanium Dioxide | Use, Benefits, and Chemical Safety Facts, "Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans VOLUME 93 Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc, Studies of Cancer in Experimental Animals - Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc. Before I wrote this blog, I knew tampons and pads contained harmful chemicals but I will admit that Im a bit shocked by the amount of information there is on this already. Some research, mostly conducted in animals, has found titanium dioxide to be harmful when inhaled and consumed, typically in large quantities. Some people on TikTok are alleging the ingredient can lead to all It's also used in sunscreen because its whitening property helps it reflect sunlight. 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. But if you are truly looking for organic, look for certifications on the packaging. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide According to the company, TiO2 represents less than 0.1% of all the ingredients they use to manufacture their tampons. "Well what do you know." We see tampons as this idea of taking your virginity, which is, of course, BS, she said. However, rayon is processed with many chemicals such as carbon disulphide, sulphuric acid, ammonia, acetone and others. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring. 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. Always remember- you are the only one with your health in best interest! We definitely need more activism and awareness around this issue! Some are alleging that a common ingredient found in many tampon brands called titanium dioxide can cause excessive bleeding, infertility and even cancer. The European Unionrecently banned it as a food additive but the FDA has not. Theyre really tightly regulated. In studies examining cancer and titanium dioxide in animals, the animals inhaled it and did not ingest it or insert it, Lincoln said. "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. The FDA also lists titanium dioxide as a safe ingredient for use in cosmetics. The National Library of Medicine noted that there's "inadequate evidence in humans" that the additive contributes to cancer. Typically, "higher doses can be used topically in a safe manner," he says. I believe we all have a responsibility to better and more critically appraise social media content, particularly with regard to health and medical information. Change). Its important to question ingredients and read the studies for a balanced view to understand any risk. Our editors independently select these products. The brand, L., markets itself as "accessible period care made with ingredients inspired by nature," according to its website. Tampons are great. Most people assume that menstrual products contain safe, non-toxic ingredients. 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. And thats it. It also appears insunscreen and cosmetics, two categories in which the ingredient is also generally considered safe. So what do you do instead? The doctors all praised how tampons make a lot of activities, like swimming, more accessible when you have your period, and stressed that people should feel comfortable using whatever menstrual products they like best. 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. In a post on her blog The Vajenda, Dr. Jen Gunter, author and OB/GYN explained that chemistry may also be on our side. But what about its relationship to cancer? "Our high-quality ingredients are rigorously tested and meet strict safety and government regulations around the world.". OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? Passionate about periods? L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Its not like a company can throw anything in there, Lincoln said. A recent viral TikTok had social media users alarmed about the idea of tampons causing cancer because they contain titanium dioxide, but OB-GYNs say there's no data to In Canada and the USA, organic claims must be verifiable but only a percentage of the product needs to be organic, and that percentage must be displayed. Another TikToker, zt0n3r.hippie, responded by saying "now I know" the cause of her own reproductive health problems. Image shows Paul Pelosi, bruised, in a booking mugshot. Full disclosure: our ingredient list is simple and does not contain titanium dioxide or any other chemicals or fragrances. Aside from the negative health effects associated with GM cotton, thousands of cotton farmers and their families suffer from pesticide poisoning every year. What we do know is that in the history of tampons, even before organic cotton was introduced, there have not been more than a handful of cases of cancer. With 8 million views, this instance shows the impact of a TikTokdespite the actual evidence to the contrary. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a natural oxide of the element titanium with low toxicity, and negligible biological effects. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, it's "possibly carcinogenic" since studies have linked lung tumors in rats with inhaling titanium dioxide. They give women freedom., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Just hours before the Idaho slayings, another grisly scene unfolded outside Bryan Kohberger's window, Polar bear kills woman, boy in remote Alaska village, Hawaii fisherman overboard, missing after hooking large ahi, Reality TV star Julie Chrisley reassigned from Florida prison to federal medical center, The rich and powerful flocked to Davos via private jet to discuss climate change, study finds. "If this worries you, then don't use products that have this," Jennifer Lincoln, MD, shared in a video. Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. Meghan Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com. In the study, 48 regions were surveyed to estimate the global exposure to infants up to 12 months. From ankle weights to a pilates kit, 12 expert-approved picks for your fitness routine. Lets unpack this TikTok and follow the evidence. 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. 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. To decrease this risk, regularly use a sunscreen with a Broad-Spectrum SPF value of 15 or higher and other sun protection measures including: limit time in the sun, especially from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses 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. Examples of this include the follicular phase, ovulatory phase and the luteal phase. If you Google titanium dioxide and cancer, you are going to see studies that show it has been linked with cancer. Needless to say, we need to start voting with our money and stop buying products that we know are not good for us. 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