FYI: Here Are The Best Non-Toxic And Organic Tampons On The Market Reusable tampons may carry additional risks of infections such as yeast, fungal, and bacterial infections. Tag: Best Organic Tampons without titanium dioxide Unfortunately, this question doesnt have a simple answer. We all know social media is a breeding ground for misinformation and disinformation. Shoppers love that these organic Tampax tampons have an applicator that is comfortable and easy to use. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Dr. Eyvazzadeh. 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. Im 27 years old. No evidence titanium dioxide in tampon strings causes cancer Organic farming typically uses more sustainable practices, plus by not treating cotton with pesticides, fewer harmful chemicals have been released into the environment. Lets look at the concerns around todays feminine hygiene products, specifically national brand tampons and pads. But first. Research has shown that fabrics with titanium dioxide that are washed repeatedly release very little of the mineral, she said. 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. Lifetime customer here. Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. 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. tampons can provide protection for up to 8 hours at a time, making them a good option for overnight use. TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. Visit our press room or contact our communications director. Could it really be responsible for reproductive health issues? It is important to note that studies in rats, mice and other animals are not directly applicable to humans. 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. The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. It is also important to note that the high-profile studies in mice showing inflammation and genetic changes involved force ingestion of massive amounts of titanium dioxide, which would not be possible for every day Americans to replicate through consumer product exposures., Marino speculated that the confusion and recent attention to titanium dioxide was related to a 2021 ban of the mineral by the European Food Safety Authority, which cited concern about the mouse data in its decision although even that data did not support the idea that it is a carcinogen.. 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. Best Organic Tampons. (That's slowly changing after New York passed a law requiring ingredients lists on menstrual products sold in the state). "I don't feel as though organic tampons are necessarily any safer than the traditionally manufactured tampons available to the consumer," she said. ", 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. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes. So, why would they use an ingredient that can be considered cariogenic and cause reproductive issues with tampons? He reiterated that no such evidence exists. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! A viral TikTok with millions views about how tampons that contain titanium dioxide can cause cancer and other health problems has spurred calls on the platform to throw away all products that match that description. And that is what I encourage you all to do to contact the manufacturers of the products you use. Here's what the experts suggest Keep it simple: Things like colorants, whiteners, and fragrances are not necessary to the product, Scranton said. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best "I love that these are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and non-toxic," wrote one. Tampax comes in light, regular, and super absorbencies and . I wanted to do more research before just jumping and following this narrative blindly. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Overall, what i know is there is two types of titanium dioxide but now the food grade is considered unfit for Skittles. Titanium dioxide exposure would not be on that list. But while many want to try and put two and two together, the bottom line is that there isnt enough data to confirm the claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is causing the ovarian cysts and other issues people are describing. 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. [1] CCOHS (2019) Titanium Dioxide Classified as Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans. TiO2 It is mined from the Earth and then processed into an inorganic solid white compound most commonlyused as a pigment in paints, food coloring, sunscreenand cosmetic products. Shipping details. And the importance of questioning what were consuming on the daily. You may be surprised to learn that the FDA regulates tampons as medical devices. In addition, more informative tampon labeling, as well as educational efforts by the FDA and manufacturers, may have contributed to the reduction in TSS cases. And many of these chemicals have been associated with contributing to cancer and other medical problems. "They're organic, and I love how compact they are! And linked it to cancer and damage to the immune system when certain amounts were ingested over a period of time. Mostly organic produce. I can wear them for as long as necessary and there is no leakage. Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: (406) 543-3747 Difference Between Regular and Organic Tampons, Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons, Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure Organic Tampons, Best Cardboard Applicator: Oi Certified Organic Tampons, Best Applicator Free: Veeda Natural Cotton Applicator Free Tampons, Best for Light Flow: Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons, Best for Heavy Flow: Lola Super Plus Organic Cotton Tampons, Best Variety Pack: Top Regular & Super Organic Tampons, Best Hypoallergenic Option: Cora Organic Cotton Tampons, Best Overnight Option: O.B. Theres been a lot of alarmist concern, she said. The nice thing is that finally companies are at least required to tell you what is in their products. Very pleased with these. Estimated ship dimensions: 2.795 inches length x 4.37 inches width x 5.669 inches height. 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. It wasnt that long ago (read: 2020) that a New York law requiring ingredients to be listed in period product packaging went into effect. Read our, What Exposure Could Mean for Your Reproductive Health. After August 7, the EU is banning it. For about the last twenty years the majority of cotton farmers have been using seeds that were modified to have resistance to a major herbicide known as glyphosate. js.src = '//p2a.co/js/embed/widget/advocacywidget.min.js'; 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.. According to Dr. Aly Cohen, founder & medical director of The Smart Human LLC, all of these studies are different. titanium dioxide in tampons? : r/Periods L. Organic Cotton Regular and Super Absorbency Compact Tampons 76CT. An official website of the United States government, Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts, The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely. But, before you choose to leave a tampon in for an extended period, we recommend learning about the risks of and how to avoid toxic shock syndrome. This will help reduce the spread of bacteria. Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. The popularity of organic tampons has been on the rise lately as more and more people make the switch to all-natural products. She stressed that its important to remember that correlation in this case does not equal causation. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. "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. Titanium Dioxide, or TiO2, is a white coloring agent used in cosmetic products, toothpaste, deodorant, desserts and paint. It became the first state in the nation to do so. Doctors say there's no link between cancer titanium dioxide. 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. "There are no published studies on titanium dioxide causing excessive bleeding, infertility or cancer, so it is hard to say if it is dangerous to women's health or not," Dr. Gohar says. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. 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. And the data seems to [indicate] that not very much gets into your body. 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. Used these This is L. Tampons for 2 cycles and now have a 6cm cyst, bleeding for almost 2 weeks straight, blood tests, doctors visits and now having to pay over $l000 for two sonograms. Missoula, MT 59807, Visit us in Denver 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. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. "If this worries you, then don't use products that have this," Jennifer Lincoln, MD, shared in a video. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Alexandra Scranton, Director of Science and Research. Titanium dioxide is commonly found in countless everyday products including food, cosmetics, drugs, paper and toothpaste. Marino emphasized that this is only when the mineral is inhaled and that it has only been demonstrated to be a true concern in rats, not humans. It makes items white. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. Andrea Chisolm, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who has taught at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. Love, love, love it. womensvoices@womensvoices.org. As to whether its nanoparticals in the string or not, once blood an other fluids touches the chemical its most likely all fusing together and that is going inside our very sensitive systems. $12.59. So companies need to come forward and explain what gives them confidence in using it. Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. Before you start gathering all your tampons and scouring their ingredient lists, you should know that experts want you to chill and stop worrying: Your tampons are safe. Think: Many of them are animal studies. What Are the Symptoms of Having Your Period? Along with being hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, the tampons feature twisted organic cotton fibers for added absorbency. "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. And how can we learn more about the products were using? No tampon should be used more than once. Pro tip: It can also appear as Pigment White 6 and White Pigment in packaging. The highly absorbent products are made without any dioxides, polyester, pesticides, or fragrances, and they are applicator-free. Which is why you might be alarmed by recent claims on social media about tampons. 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. However, titanium dioxide isn't just a popular ingredient in food. This needs to be properly investigated. Are common multivitamins worth the money? Despite a small percentage ofTiO2 present in the product, low toxicity risk and an unsupported cause-and-effect exampleare both factors that led me to debunk this claim. The virtual freak out on TikTok over titanium dioxidea natural mineral approved by the Food and Drug Administration that is used in a variety of products, including sunscreen, cosmetics, food,. I just think its important to not think that because we see one TikTok of somebody having a problem and [saying] this is what caused it to understand that thats not the most scientific way to figure out whats going on., We may earn a commission from links on this page. Tampons are one method of absorbing menstrual flow during your period. The suit claims the substance is unfit for human consumption, but the toxicologist stated that the lawsuit is based on gross misinterpretations of the available data to claim a human cancer risk. They are in your food, your clothes, your makeup, and skincare products just to name a few of your daily exposures. A TikTok with more than 3 million views is raising questions about just that. With all these questions, we turned to experts for answers. Experts resounding answer: We dont have enough data. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. ", Price at time of publication: $13.99 for 36 count. Alexandra Scranton is the director of science and research at Womens Voices for the Earth, an environmental nonprofit. If so, keep reading! 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. "The potential risks of titanium dioxide vary depending on the method of exposure," says Dr. Eyvazzadeh. "Minimal waste and perfect for everyone especially those that are extra sensitive. And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. And is used as a coloring agent to brighten and whiten things like period products. I have been researching health impacts of pads and tampons for nearly a decade, so I love having all this new ingredient info. 4.7 out of 5 stars. Shes getting checked for fucking cancer. That brings us to. But this amount varies by product. ", One shopper wrote, "I used to use Tampax, but things changed as I got older and I needed something more absorbent and more comfortable. Titanium dioxide might be one of these. If you have sensitive skin, these hypoallergenic, certified organic cotton tampons from Cora might be just what you're looking for. 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). This is what manufacturers need to know that people are reading these things and asking these questions.. 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. And Scranton thinks that the more people read and learn about what theyre using, the more likely theyll push for change. Both TikTok users are falling prey to the correlation, not causation trap. The tampons themselves are bleach, dye, and fragrance-free, and they're made with 100% organic cotton that is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard. ", Price at time of publication: $11.25 for 32 count. 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. For example, here's the ingredient list for Tampax Peal 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. The potential problem lies in the specific chemical. PO Box 8743 Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Tampons? - Verywell Health I WOULD sue this company if I had the slightest idea where to start or the finances to get the ball rolling. What To Know About Titanium Dioxide In Tampons and Skittles How well do you know the ingredients in the foods you eat or products you use every day? While you may have heard about reusable tampons, the FDA has not cleared or approved these products. TikTokers say titanium dioxide in organic tampons led to severe side Her job is to pore over ingredient lists and other scientific studies to find out what we know about the chemicals that are in our products and what their exposure could mean.