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.. Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: (406) 543-3747 "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide." Theres also period underwear. That said, well-known brands like Tampax and L. include TiO2 in their products, while brands like Rael, Cora, and The Honey Pot currently do not have this ingredient in their pads or tampons. ", Price at time of publication: $12.74 for 16 count. 3 Safety Considerations for Silica Supplements. WVEs Director of Science and Research, Alex Scranton, addresses your questions about titanium dioxide in tampons and pads in this session of #AskAlex. For more information on TSS, see the tampon safety tips, below. And the importance of questioning what were consuming on the daily. I won't use any other brands after these. Questions About Titanium Dioxide in Tampons and Pads? Now 12% Off. 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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. She stressed that its important to remember that correlation in this case does not equal causation. Tampax. The tampons themselves are made from 100% organic cotton and have been produced using sustainable and ethical processes. Never ever in my life have had an ovarian cyst. 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. 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. As far as hypothetical exposure risk, the tampon would pose a more significant exposure as it is worn internally. 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. [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.. Made with a 100% cotton core, the company's feminine care products are produced without any dyes, fragrances, or chlorine bleaching. It became the first state in the nation to do so. PO Box 8743 Tampon safety scare goes viral on TikTok - New York Post Inhaling titanium dioxide may also result in adverse respiratory reactions, Dr. Gohar says. Dr. Dziadek added that if people dont feel comfortable with tampons, they can try menstrual cups. L. Organic Cotton Regular and Super Absorbency Compact Tampons 76CT. Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Tampons? - Verywell Health The European Union banned titanium dioxide in food earlier this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service. Viral TikTok Falsely Says Tampon Titanium Dioxide Causes Cancer - Gizmodo The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely | FDA And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. So there are lots of ways to be exposed to this chemical. 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. What To Know About Titanium Dioxide In Tampons and Skittles If you prefer to use cardboard applicators, check out these tampons from Oi. 2023Well+Good LLC. A video with millions of views on TikTok claims titanium dioxide, an ingredient in many tampons, causes cancer and other gynecological and reproductive issues. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. Stressing itll rupture or cause my ovary to twist while my husband is hours away. Is the Acrylamide in Coffee Actually Bad for You? Tampax Pure Cotton Tampons - Super - 24ct : Target Titanium dioxide isn't making tampons into toxic death sticks - Substack In the video, which has received nearly eight million views and 1.5 million likes at the time of publication, user Rachel Morgan holds up a box of 100% organic cotton core tampons from the brand L., owned by Proctor & Gamble, and tells user to stop what theyre doing and check the ingredients on the back of the box. And linked it to cancer and damage to the immune system when certain amounts were ingested over a period of time. PolitiFact | Is the titanium dioxide in tampons toxic? Estimated ship dimensions: 2.795 inches length x 4.37 inches width x 5.669 inches height. Exposure to these chemicals can then interfere with important processes in your body. These [are comfortable and] do what they need to, and I don't need to worry about leaks the way I used to. Titanium dioxide doesnt dissolve in water, meaning the nanoparticles arent going to dissolve from the tampon string and get into the blood that might be pooling in the vagina and then get absorbed by the body, she wrote. You know why? 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. "While most cosmetic products will disclose whether or not titanium dioxide is an ingredientsome states require itit is important to note that the FDA does not currently require brands to disclose this information.". It's used in sunscreen, toothpaste, some food, and it is used to whiten the string of tampons. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Dr. Eyvazzadeh. Most brands only started listing their ingredients on their packages for the first time late last year (2021) thanks to a new law in New York state. "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. You might be racking your brain and thinking, But what about all the studies you just mentioned. Science is complex. Best Organic Tampons. 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 WOULD sue this company if I had the slightest idea where to start or the finances to get the ball rolling. Because one of the ingredients on the back of her container is titanium dioxide, which if you dont know, causes cancer, Morgan said. And, spoiler: Its in plenty of other products you probably use in your day-to-day life. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? (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. Shoppers love that they are made from responsibly sourced, organic cotton and that their applicator is made from 92% of plant-based materials. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. You may want to talk with your health care provider about whether tampons are right for you. The site is secure. Keep in mind that sometimes titanium dioxide might also be listed as white pigment or pigment white 6 so look for those terms as well. Lets look at the concerns around todays feminine hygiene products, specifically national brand tampons and pads. How Bad Is It Really to Wear a Tampon for Longer Than 8 Hours? "If this worries you, then don't use products that have this," Jennifer Lincoln, MD, shared in a video. With 8 million views, this instance shows the impact of a TikTokdespite the actual evidence to the contrary. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Price at time of publication: $6.98 for 20 count. This is why we fight tirelessly for ingredient transparency and your right to know! And they made that call after food safety officials said it could damage DNA, which could lead to cancer. He is also a former United States Peace Corps Volunteer. At TOTM, we can confirm that we do not use titanium dioxide at any stage of our . But what does it mean for tampons, pads, and reproductive health overall? Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes. 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. Try These OB-GYN-Recommended, Titanium Dioxide-Free Period Products . The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. "As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth's crust and is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron. Though some research identified a link between the . How well do you know the ingredients in the foods you eat or products you use every day? 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. And live a healthy lifestyle. Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. Rates of reported TSS cases associated with tampons have declined significantly over the years. 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,. "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. We will keep fighting for the need for safer products and more thorough research! Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble, which carries the brands This Is L, Always, and Tampax, has been responding to concerns surrounding titanium dioxide in its products. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. We all deserve safe products and all you need to do is ask. 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. Overall, what i know is there is two types of titanium dioxide but now the food grade is considered unfit for Skittles. Is Titanium Dioxide in Tampons Safe? | Penileclinic.com 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. ", If you do decide to give organic tampons a try, Dr. Ross recommends checking the box for ingredients before buying. Considering each pack comes with 32 tampons, their price isn't even that bad for an all-organic product! Andrea Chisolm, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who has taught at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; You can also register your story with the FDA Medwatch program their online form is here: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=consumer.reporting1 and on that form you can offer as much or as little information as you wish. How Bad Is It Really to Use Baby Powder 'Down There?'. ", Price at time of publication: $13.99 for 36 count. Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Tampons? As Dr. Eyvazzadeh points out, we just don't know either wayno matter how certain Becky on TikTok seems. Its used in sunscreen, all kinds of cosmetics, medications, and youll find it in food. But their favorite part seems to be the fact that they are made from 90% plant-based materials. Let's look at the concerns around today's feminine hygiene products, specifically national brand tampons and pads. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. Along with being hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, the tampons feature twisted organic cotton fibers for added absorbency. However, there are no trials to validate this finding in humans. Also, it may be genotoxic, meaning it can harm your DNA. The highly absorbent products are made without any dioxides, polyester, pesticides, or fragrances, and they are applicator-free. Free standard shipping with $35 orders. Tag: Best Organic Tampons without titanium dioxide According to the company, TiO2 represents less than 0.1% of all the ingredients they use to manufacture their tampons. The FDA has tested and cleared traditionally used tampons for women to use safely and with confidence.". We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best Alexandra Scranton is the director of science and research at Womens Voices for the Earth, an environmental nonprofit. In a post on her Vajenda Substack on Wednesday, Gunter said that as a result of the videos on TikTok, she had received panicked messages from women worried that their tampons were the cause of their pre-cancer of the cervix. We reject and actively push back against racist rhetoric, actions, policies and institutional oppression that leads to state-sanctioned brutality, gun violence, and harmthat again and again assaults communities, particularly communities of color. 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. 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. Are common multivitamins worth the money? 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. The thread is so soft and they absorb perfectly. Including how tampons affect vaginal bacteria. Understandably, some folks are pretty mad, some are very concerned. 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. "[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. But no matter what your period product preference, you shouldn't be worried about whether it can harm your health. 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. $17.50 ($0.24/Count) Sold by Utopia Distributors and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. by theorganicbunny on August 3, 2022. "I highly recommend these tampons," wrote one customer. 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. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 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. Theres even a lawsuit alleging that the candy company Mars, which makes Skittles, didnt inform its customers about the potential taste the rainbow dangers of titanium dioxide in its product. 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. But I can tell you this cyst has made my job exhausting and totally draining chasing my toddler around. I wouldn't raise the alarm. Titanium Dioxide in Tampons: OB-GYNs Debunk Myth It Causes Cancer According to Dr. Aly Cohen, founder & medical director of The Smart Human LLC, all of these studies are different. I am less concerned with the level of titanium dioxide in tamponsthan I am with how social media users dangerously, and unchecked, amplifymisinformation. The tampons come in both regular and super sizes, and customers say a regular size is a great option for light flow days. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. Alkaline water:Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? AT AMAZON. As shown in the viral TikTok video, some organic tampons contain titanium dioxide as a bleaching agent. This needs to be properly investigated. Unbelievable. 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. So what can you do to stay healthy and safe? We know from rat studies, rats that inhale it are getting lung cancer.. The reality is that these products are under-researched so we just dont know what impacts they may be having on our health, because neither researchers or companies are asking the questions that need to be asked. 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. 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. There are however many brands who do not use this in their period products. But this amount varies by product. And Scranton thinks that the more people read and learn about what theyre using, the more likely theyll push for change. ", One shopper wrote, "I used to use Tampax, but things changed as I got older and I needed something more absorbent and more comfortable. Could it really be responsible for reproductive health issues? A viral TikTok video is spreading misinformation that an ingredient occasionally found in tampons titanium dioxide can cause cancer. Titanium Dioxide, or TiO2, is a white coloring agent used in cosmetic products, toothpaste, deodorant, desserts and paint. TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. 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. National Library of Medicines list ', Consuming it orally appears to be a different story. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. There's just a lot of unknowns and I think it requires further investigation, Dr. Olivia Dziadek, gynecologist with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, said. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare and is caused by a toxic substance that is produced by certain kinds of bacteria. Read reviews and buy Tampax Pure Cotton Tampons - Super - 24ct at Target. Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure . 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 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. 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. In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive. Tampons are one method of absorbing menstrual flow during your period. So there are lots of ways to be exposed to this chemical. It's also worth being skeptical of any definitive claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is super harmful. This box of organic tampons from Top comes in both super and regular sizes, for light and heavy days. Indeed, this white pigment lightens everything from paints, paper coatings and plastics to sunscreen, pharmaceutical tablets, flours and dairy products, according to the National Library of Medicine. 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). Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. Study after study has flagged concerns about the potential damaging effects of titanium dioxide on organs like the liver and kidney. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. 4.7 out of 5 stars. It also appears insunscreen and cosmetics, two categories in which the ingredient is also generally considered safe. But this amount varies by product. That brings us to. While they are not safer to use, there are some benefits to switching to organic tamponsparticularly for environmental reasons. To be blunt, they are worried about the possibility of something happening that has never been demonstrated to happen, Marino said. Morgans TikTok has received more than 30,000 comments on the platform and spurred countlessvideoresponses from other users and creators swearing off L. tampons and any other tampons with titanium dioxide. Is this an emergency? "They come in two different sizesregular and superwhich are very convenient depending on the day. 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. And the data seems to [indicate] that not very much gets into your body. The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. Be cautious and meet with your physician: Always be vigilant and also don't get overwhelmed by what's on the internet, Dr. Dziadek said. We should be able to make a period product that does not lead to cysts! But titanium dioxides potential health effects depend on how it's used.