The TikTok user who posted the video makes theclaim that TiO2 has been linked to cancer and multiple gynecological issues. I changed them every 2-3 hours, and even then I'd feel dry and chaffed or just felt them there. "They're easy to use, easily concealable, and give me ease of mind that I'm doing something good for the environment. But the video is raising important questions: What is titanium dioxide? During clinical trials the amount of titanium dioxide used have not shown any increased health risks and there have been no big outbreaks of things like ovarian cysts associated with titanium oxide tampons. While animal studies give us important information, they cannot be directly generalized to people, Marino said. Overall, what i know is there is two types of titanium dioxide but now the food grade is considered unfit for Skittles. And suggested that the tampons from This Is L Inc are causing ovarian cysts. So there are lots of ways to be exposed to this chemical. $12.59. While most options on this list are more expensive than other tampons you can find in the aisles of your favorite drugstore, Just's tampons are as affordable as they are eco-friendly. 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. Then you can make your own decision. Even better, for every box of tampons sold in the United States, the brand donates 43 cents to nonprofit organizations to offset the "period tax" and help make period products more accessible to women in need. So people are like, Okay, it's doing a good thing. There are a number of folks online recently worried about finding titanium dioxide as an ingredient in their tampons and pads and wondering if it is related to some health conditions they are experiencing like ovarian cysts, miscarriages, UTIs and more. "You will want to make sure they 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.". Shoppers love that these organic Tampax tampons have an applicator that is comfortable and easy to use. L. Organic Cotton Regular and Super Absorbency Compact Tampons 76CT. We will keep fighting for the need for safer products and more thorough research! It neutralizes smell as well. Here are 11 organic tampons that reviewers love. 10 Best Tampon Brands In 2023, According To Ob-Gyns - Women's Health While paying $300 a month for health insurance. Tampax. She stressed that its important to remember that correlation in this case does not equal causation. 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. What Are the Symptoms of Having Your Period? And its important to note that individual experiences are valid. Though some research identified a link between the . TikTokers Say Titanium Dioxide in Tampons Is Risky, What - Insider Media inquiries? "But while no study has positively linked titanium dioxide exposure to ovarian cancer, miscarriages, or UTIs, we also dont have the science to assure us that this kind of exposure is perfectly safe either." Doctors say there's no link between cancer titanium dioxide. TikTok is a powerful platform thats influencing peoples lives including their physical health. 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). Meanwhile, other countries are cracking down on the coloring agent. 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. It is thought that exposure to the developing fetus may be the time when these chemicals have some of the most significant impacts on future health. "Organic" Tampon Brand Exposed for using Cancer-Causing Titanium Dioxide "Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring substance that is often used in food and other topical products to create a whiter and brighter look," Dr. Gohar says. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (function(d, s, id) { 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. Subscribe to receive Consumer Updates email notifications. But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. 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. Titanium Dioxide in Tampons: OB-GYNs Debunk Myth It Causes Cancer productslearn more about These options are often referred to as green alternatives and include: By Andrea Chisholm, MD Is Titanium Dioxide in Tampons and Pads Safe? | Well+Good Including how tampons affect vaginal bacteria. What do they know about titanium dioxide that assures them its safe? Just because someone had health problems after they used something doesnt necessarily mean an ingredient in that thing caused the problem, Wallace said. Now that you know the difference between organic and non-organic tampons, if you are looking to make the switch to more eco-friendly period products, we've got you covered. These videos were chemophobia, Gunter declared, and fear mongering. A world where workers are treated with dignity from our paychecks to our working conditions. By now, you may have seen the viral video of the girl finding Titanium Dioxide and Polyester in her L Organic tampons and what's crazy is, I even had some of the same brand here at home. It is important to note that studies in rats, mice and other animals are not directly applicable to humans. There are however many brands who do not use this in their period products. 4 Mistakes That Are Causing You to Waste Money on Skin-Care Serums, According to an Esthetician, These Are the Best Anti-Chafing Denim ShortsAccording to Some Very Happy Reviewers. The decision was based on available scientific research which, although not totally conclusive, found that an accumulation of titanium dioxide in the body could possibly contribute to genotoxicity (i.e., damage at the DNA level that may lead to cancer). However there is not enough proof showing titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be harmful. The tampons are made from 100% organic cotton that is both soft and breathable. "The potential risks of titanium dioxide vary depending on the method of exposure," says Dr. Eyvazzadeh. Is the Acrylamide in Coffee Actually Bad for You? How Bad Is It Really to Wear a Tampon for Longer Than 8 Hours? 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. And do not smoke. With these there's no irritation or dryness, I honestly forget they're in. 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. ", One shopper wrote, "I used to use Tampax, but things changed as I got older and I needed something more absorbent and more comfortable. An official website of the United States government, Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts, The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely. As part of the FDAs review, manufacturers submit data including the results of testing to evaluate the safety of the materials used to make tampons and applicators (if present); tampon absorbency, strength, and integrity; and whether tampons enhance the growth of certain harmful bacteria or change normal bacteria levels in the vagina. 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. I believe we all have a responsibility to better and more critically appraise social media content, particularly with regard to health and medical information. Walmart customers love these super plus organic cotton tampons from Lola so much, they have given them an impressive 4.3-star rating. The site is secure. "They come in two different sizesregular and superwhich are very convenient depending on the day. Meaning, you dont have to worry that the blood soaked tampon string is leaking titanium dioxide nanoparticles into your vagina.. And the importance of questioning what were consuming on the daily. So, why would they use an ingredient that can be considered cariogenic and cause reproductive issues with tampons? What To Know About Titanium Dioxide In Tampons and Skittles | theSkimm How Often to Change Tampons or Pads During Your Period, The 12 Best Period Underwear of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, How to Stop Bacterial Vaginosis From Coming Back Permanently, Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Cancer, Here's Why It's So Hard to Know If Your Period Underwear Is PFAS-Free, 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. Menstrual pads get even more complicated with top layers, middle layers of absorbent foam, super absorbent polymers, various waterproof backings, more fragrance, lots of coatings to wick fluid and aid absorption, lotion ingredients like petrolatum, adhesives made with styrene, more titanium dioxide to make it look whiter, as well as colored dyes for pretty designs. In Turmoil Over Tampons, Scientists See a Need for More Study [My container] doesnt say it, but its getting thrown out regardless, because how can I consciously just be like, Oh sure, yeah, I trust you. So yeah, go check your fucking box and if you had any adverse symptoms like her, call a fucking lawyer.. 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. 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. 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. The reality of life today is that you are bombarded with multiple chemical exposures. 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. Since tampons are inserted inside our bodies for hours at a time, it makes sense that people would have safety concerns, but Dr. Ross says there is no reason for concern. So heres a refresher: Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral. The toxic substance produced by the bacteria can cause organ damage (including kidney, heart, and liver failure), shock, and even death. "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 Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. While "titanium dioxide is natural, meaning found in nature," it doesn't necessarily mean it's healthy, says ob-gyn and pain medicine physician Jen Gunter, MD. The popularity of organic tampons has been on the rise lately as more and more people make the switch to all-natural products. I WOULD sue this company if I had the slightest idea where to start or the finances to get the ball rolling. But it is becoming a controversial chemical. Tampons cleared by the FDA are meant to be used one time and then thrown away. As for the potential risks (or lack thereof!) 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. 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. "I don't feel as though organic tampons are necessarily any safer than the traditionally manufactured tampons available to the consumer," she said. 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. Thanks again for sharing your story its voices like yours that can make all the difference. Since many of us have been loyal to the same feminine care products that we've been using since we first got our periods, you may have some questions before switching products. 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. The chemical substance also seems to have a potentially negative impact on the gut microbiome, Dr. Gohar says. Felt they had the same or better absorbency. at the Posner Center For more information on TSS, see the tampon safety tips, below. 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. Alexandra Scranton, Director of Science and Research. The .gov means its official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. I wouldn't raise the alarm. 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.. ", Price at time of publication: $14.99 for 32 count. If youre still super worried, and I hear you, then use something else, like pads or menstrual cups or whatnot, Lincoln, who has 2.8 million followers on TikTok, said. The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. These popular period products are perfect for women with heavy flows because they are designed to expand in all directions to prevent leaks.
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