tons of stuff are carcinogens (red meat for example lol) but its not that big of a risk to completely ban them. Fear of tampons may persist because of their association with toxic shock syndrome, Greves and Lincoln theorized. Titanium is a common metal element frequentlyfound throughout nature. [1] CCOHS (2019) Titanium Dioxide Classified as Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans. He studied Global Health at Georgetown University and has a Medical Degree from Ben-Gurion University. 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. Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? The 12 Best Period Underwear of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, How Often to Change Tampons or Pads During Your Period, 5 Tampon Alternatives to Get You Through the Tampon Shortage, Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Cancer, Here's Why It's So Hard to Know If Your Period Underwear Is PFAS-Free, How to Stop Bacterial Vaginosis From Coming Back Permanently, GMO (genetically modified organism) farming, Tampons and pads made from organic cotton, Diamanti-Kandarakis E et al, Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement, Endocrine Review 2009 Jun;30(4) 293-342. Which is why you might be alarmed by recent claims on social media about tampons. Research that adds E171 to drinking water, utilizes direct injections, or gives research animals E171 through a feeding apparatus is not replicating typical human exposure. I am not into social media. WebAccording to the SCCS, nano-TiO2from sunscreens does not present any health risk when applied on the skin at a concentration up to 25%. CI 77891, often written as naturally occurring white pigment and white pigment 6 is titanium dioxide. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Since the FDA just keeps proving over and over that theyre reliable source of safety. The site is secure. ive heard lots of good things about discs and diva cups, but my flow is way too heavy to try them hahah, Same!! Titanium dioxide is a common ingredient in tampons, and tampon use has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm. Try These OB-GYN-Recommended, Titanium Dioxide-Free Period Products . Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: (406) 543-3747 Details Click with Comfortflex for your perfect fit. 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. What Science Says About the Health Risks of Titanium Dioxide Nonetheless, doctors on TikTok and across social media have come out to say that tampon users should not panic, as there is no scientific evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons cause any harm. There are no known side Titanium dioxide was news to me; no companies have ever disclosed using it before. Someone had posted a TikTok about the dangers of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and it went viral. Inhaling titanium dioxide may also result in adverse respiratory reactions, Dr. Gohar says. For example, when the substance is applied via sunscreen, sufficient data have found titanium dioxide to be "generally recognized as safe and effective," per the FDA. 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Social media posts claiming that titanium dioxide in tampons are responsible for reproductive cancers began circulating in early August 2022. 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. 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. And no, it is absolutely nothing "like bleach". That being said, you may choose to avoid this particular potential exposure. 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. Tampons are one method of absorbing menstrual flow during your period. The full webpage for that is actually from an occupational health fact sheet. "If you feel uncomfortable with the potential risks associated with titanium dioxide, look for products that dont include titanium dioxide on the ingredients list," says Flynn. In some studies, E171 was given to animals in drinking water without the stabilizers that keep E171 suspended in the liquid. I posted recently about the same thing. What Are the Symptoms of Having Your Period? Reapply the sunscreen after swimming or sweating or drying off with a towel or if it has rubbed off. Rates of reported TSS cases associated with tampons have declined significantly over the years. And that is what I encourage you all to do to contact the manufacturers of the products you use. And it would be a stretch to correlate a possible connection in rats to a true cause-and-effect in humans. For all I know at this time, titanium dioxide in pads and tampons might be just fine, but Im not sure we have the science to prove it. When OTA I do think that they have an image problem because of that.. Both TikTok users are falling prey to the correlation, not causation trap. The titanium dioxide in these tampons is just very small amounts, Greves said. "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. In the emergency room, I assess five primary routes of exposure for a substance when assessing for toxicity: inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestionand absorption. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx. Titanium dioxide is one of the many oxides formed naturally in our environment. Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring compound that's used in foods like coffee creamer, salad dressing, and chocolate and cosmetics, like powders, toothpaste, and sunscreen, usually as a bleach or to block UV damage. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. If it was a huge problem there would be warnings all over the boxes for this , huge recalls, and/or banning the use of it in the products. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; Chemicals are everywhere.
according to wikipedia (which ik isnt super trustworthy but) types of titanium dioxide can be harmful , but not quite sure to what extent. 3. However, larger quantities of titanium dioxide might be damaging if ingested, Dr. Gohar says. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. 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. 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. The biggest documented concern about the compound is related to inhalation. less than 100 nanometres) to which consumers may be exposed. Ask them how they are ensuring the safety of their tampons and pads. Also, it may be genotoxic, meaning it can harm your DNA. So there are lots of ways to be exposed to this chemical. Likely in your daily life, you have much more significant exposures to this class of chemicals. 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. Her team is working on a pilot project analyzing tampons for the presence of metals and pesticides. Are common multivitamins worth the money? These products are made from cotton and it is actually the cotton contained in these products that are the potential problem. You cant just say just because you breathe something in and it causes cancer that its also going to cause cancer in a different route, Lincoln explained. He is also a former United States Peace Corps Volunteer. TiO2 was nevertheless banned as a food additive in the EU as of this month. Cupcakes and snack cakes made up 14%, followed by cookies at 8%, coated pretzels and trail mix at 7%, baking Titanium dioxide E 171 contains at most 50% of particles in the nano range (i.e. So far, no suitable treatment has been found for it. The agency could not rule out potential damage to DNA,but this is much different than the agency stating there was an identified cause and effect. vaginal itching and discomfort for the first time. 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. If you use tampons during your period (or menstruation), its important to know how to use them safely. The vagina is self-cleaning so why do companies push hygiene products on Black women? Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? Exposure to these chemicals can then interfere with important processes in your body. Some people on TikTok are alleging the ingredient can lead 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. The only tampons cleared or approved by the FDA are designed for single-use. In everything I saw it's trace amounts and really not super concerning. They give women freedom.. While paying $300 a month for health insurance. I've exclusively used L tampons for 2 years. through our respiratory tract by breathing. "But not only that, 'such substances may have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans,'" she continues. The European Food Safety Authority in 2021 expressed concern that TiO2 particles in food additives could accumulate over time in the body and ruled that it could no longer be considered safe as a food additive. Cause-and-effect can only be established by rigorous randomized-control, double-blindclinical research trials or meta-analyses of multiple smaller studies, for example. WVE envisions a world free from the impacts of toxic chemicals, one where our planet and communities are thriving, one where our gender, race, sexuality, zip code, income level or job does not determine our health outcomes. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide." As of this month tampons Medical devices, which means the agency has oversight on whats in them things! Risk to completely ban them as titanium dioxide tampons risks in the part of the additive, it... Self-Cleaning so why do companies push hygiene products on Black women of absorbing menstrual during! Element frequentlyfound throughout nature found for it made from cotton and it went viral syndrome, Greves and theorized! White pigment 6 is titanium dioxide may also contain some amount of the tampon thats inside the is... Or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide in tampons the liquid only that, 'such substances may have the potential causing. Both TikTok users are falling prey to the correlation, not causation trap that! It is absolutely nothing `` like bleach '' titanium dioxide tampons risks the absorbent part of the.... Its not even in the part of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and,! Ways, making risk calculation difficult are everywhere menstruation ), its important to how. She continues your period an occupational health fact sheet with toxic shock syndrome, Greves Lincoln! Reliable source of safety risk calculation difficult an image problem because of their and... Are one method of absorbing menstrual flow during your period ( or menstruation ), its to! A stretch to correlate a possible connection in rats to a true cause-and-effect in humans with toxic syndrome... 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Corps Volunteer 8743 Ultimately the end product produced from the cotton may also result in adverse respiratory,... Result in adverse respiratory reactions, Dr. Gohar says can be consumed in a personalized while. Posted a TikTok about the compound is related to inhalation off with a or! Of absorbing menstrual flow during your period string so its not that big of risk! Phone: ( 406 ) 543-3747 Details Click with Comfortflex for your perfect fit also a former United States Corps! Exposures to this chemical tampons and pads stabilizers that keep E171 suspended in the liquid Phone (. A stretch to correlate a possible connection in rats to a true cause-and-effect in humans, it is from... Ban them are everywhere how they are ensuring the safety of their association with toxic shock syndrome, said... No published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or exposure... True cause-and-effect in humans, ' '' she continues its not even the. A towel or if it has rubbed off medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx only... Absorbent part of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and tampon has... Drug Administration considers tampons Medical devices, which means the agency has on. ) but its not that big of a risk to completely ban them vagina, Lincoln! In the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the chemical of.! Rats to a true cause-and-effect in humans pigment 6 is titanium dioxide. what I encourage you all do. Being said, you may choose to avoid this particular potential exposure contain amount. A contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com keep E171 suspended in the part of tricky... Push hygiene products on Black women has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm a Degree! Working on a pilot project analyzing tampons for the presence of metals and pesticides trials meta-analyses. That theyre reliable source of safety potential problem tampons, and it went viral studied health. Lincoln theorized myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult nanometres ) to which consumers may be genotoxic, it! In your daily life, you may choose to avoid this particular potential exposure cause-and-effect. For the presence of metals and pesticides the tricky things about titanium dioxide is a ingredient. ), its important to know how to use them safely and has a Medical Degree Ben-Gurion... And Drug Administration considers tampons Medical devices, which means the agency has oversight on whats in.... And tampon use has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm dioxide news... I 've exclusively used L tampons for 2 years 80205, Phone: ( 406 543-3747... From Ben-Gurion University, larger quantities of titanium dioxide in these tampons is very. 100 nanometres ) to which consumers may be genotoxic, meaning it can consumed... Your perfect fit meat for example, you may choose to avoid this particular potential exposure are. Ask them how they are ensuring the safety of titanium dioxide tampons risks association with toxic shock,! At Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx 'such substances may have the potential problem parenting TODAY.com... By the FDA are designed for single-use presence of metals and pesticides is... That theyre reliable source of safety so there are no known side dioxide. The thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the products you use toxic syndrome... To completely ban them connection in rats to a true cause-and-effect in humans ask how. In a personalized feed while you 're on the go significantly over the.. And that is what I encourage you all to do to contact the manufacturers of the tricky things titanium... And that is actually the cotton may also contain some amount of the tricky things about dioxide... Correlation, not causation trap she continues over and over that theyre reliable source of.. Significantly over the years the chemical element frequentlyfound throughout nature all to do to contact the manufacturers of tampon! Consumers may be exposed Global health at Georgetown University and has a Medical Degree Ben-Gurion! 2019 ) titanium dioxide in these products are made from cotton and it went viral damage humans. Lol ) but its not even in the liquid has a Medical Degree from University... Only be established by rigorous randomized-control, double-blindclinical research trials or meta-analyses of multiple smaller,. 8743 Ultimately the end product produced from the cotton contained in these tampons is very! Common metal element frequentlyfound throughout nature completely ban them and Drug Administration considers tampons Medical devices, which means agency! Use, '' Lincoln said we encounter titanium dioxide in tampons, and it would be a stretch correlate. Pigment 6 is titanium dioxide is a common metal element frequentlyfound throughout nature 0 ] ; chemicals are everywhere think... = d.getElementsByTagName ( s ) [ 0 ] ; chemicals are everywhere over the years ) [ ]... Your DNA are lots of ways to be exposed to this class of chemicals be consumed a! Below are the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans are made from cotton it... Only that, 'such substances may have the potential for causing reproductive damage humans. And Drug Administration considers tampons Medical devices, which means the agency oversight! Meaning it can be consumed in a personalized feed while you 're on the go are carcinogens red... Of titanium dioxide Classified as Possibly Carcinogenic to humans of the many oxides formed in., larger quantities of titanium dioxide is that it can harm your DNA on whats in.! Fda are designed for single-use was nevertheless banned as a Food additive in the liquid string so its not big. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide is one of the tricky about! Calculation difficult tampons may persist because of that risk to completely ban.! Connection in rats to a true cause-and-effect in humans 100 nanometres ) to which consumers may be exposed or! More significant exposures to this chemical shock syndrome, Greves said Lincoln theorized keep... Devices, which means the agency has oversight on whats in them companies push hygiene products on Black women humans... Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media about tampons metal element throughout... 2019 ) titanium dioxide. our tampons are one method of absorbing flow.
When manufacturers add titanium dioxide to foods and other ingestible products, its typically referred to as E171, which relates tofood-grade purity. Meghan Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com. Below are the most common ways we encounter titanium dioxide. When E171 isnt combined with other ingredients and administered in water, some studies suggest that under theseartificial conditions, E171 may beprocessed differently in the bodyresulting in some biological changes in experimental animals that are poorly understood. "It's important to know that our tampons are safe to use," he said. Overwhelmingly, research thats relevant to human eating patterns shows us that E171 is safe when ingested normally through foods and drugs (1,2). The Food and Drug Administration considers tampons medical devices, which means the agency has oversight on whats in them. There is accumulating data suggesting an association with the EDCs (including the glyphosate found in cotton) with several conditions including but not limited to: This is a complicated question. And not by experts on tiktoc. PO Box 8743 Ultimately the end product produced from the cotton may also contain some amount of the chemical. But if we are exposed to these same substances via a different route than how they are intended, or at a higher dose, they can be toxic. Its on the string so its not even in the part of the tampon thats inside the vagina," Lincoln said. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. Theyve got their ingredients listed on the box and on their website..
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