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And linked it to cancer and damage to the immune system when certain amounts were ingested over a period of time. (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. Myths about aluminum and deodorant, explained. }(document, 'script', 'advocacy-actionwidget-code')); Womens Voices for the Earth Some. I can wear them for as long as necessary and there is no leakage. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. (The FDA says that manufacturers can have no more than 1 percent TiO2 in food.). That being said, you may choose to avoid this particular potential exposure. Tampax. Dr. Dziadek added that if people dont feel comfortable with tampons, they can try menstrual cups. However there is not enough proof showing titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be harmful. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. 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. But first. ", Price at time of publication: $10 for 16 count. 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.. "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." Get it daily. If that is the case, you can avoid glyphosate by using alternative feminine hygiene products. "They're organic, and I love how compact they are! According to the brand, the tampons feature a unique design that keeps "fluids locked in the core for added security. Although there were also doctors and experts trying to quell the panic, like Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, they were, unfortunately, a minority. 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. Shipping details. You know why? I wanted to do more research before just jumping and following this narrative blindly. Titanium dioxide is in food, cosmetics, dye, tampons. The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. "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. "I stopped using tampons when I noticed they'd irritate my lady parts after use. "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. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. I cant guarantee that the FDA will take any immediate action, but it can help get their attention, if they see a number of reports associated with a product. Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. People have gotten into a debate over whether or not organic tampons and pads shorten the length of menstrual cycles. 6 min read. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; 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. Certainly, we don't have the data to support that alarmist concern. No issues with the applicator and love the discreet packaging. This is L. tampons are labeled as being made with organic cotton, and the company's marketing promises a simple product: "Only the ingredients you need for the confidence, comfort, and protection you . Lincoln said this led some to believe that. It is important to note that studies in rats, mice and other animals are not directly applicable to humans. (no offense) For example, here's the ingredient list for Tampax Peal Ask them how they are ensuring the safety of their tampons and pads. 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.. Our tampons are safe and all the ingredients that we use are rigorously tested to meet strict safety and government regulations around the world, Erica Noble, spokesperson for Procter & Gamble, said. There are many substances, including medications, that we safely encounter or consume on a regular basis. ", Price at time of publication: $13.99 for 36 count. Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Tampons? 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Below, Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Erin Flynn, MPH, DNP/FNP, an LGBTQ+ care expert with birth control startup Favor, share the complicated truth behind this question. Now 12% Off. "When properly tested, regular tampons are safe and free of harmful chemicals. Lifetime customer here. 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. Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. 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. The simple answer is nothere is no scientific evidence that organic tampons are safer than other options on the market. Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure . "But it's the dose, it's the route that makes the 'poison,' and so just because something might cause lung cancer, for example, doesn't mean it's going to cause an issue in a tampon. 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. For many, the video has raised awareness about an important issue: The chemicals in our products. Also, it may be genotoxic, meaning it can harm your DNA. Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. Just last year the European Food Safety Authority concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe in food, because of genotoxicity concerns [2]. If you use tampons during your period (or menstruation), its important to know how to use them safely. It gets used in a LOT of products and its probably been in tampons and pads for a long time (just never listed on the label before). One reason is that the FDA evaluates whether a tampon enhances the growth of the bacteria that causes TSS before the product can be legally marketed. ", 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. While there's concern over This Is L Incs tampons, the use of the ingredient in period products isnt new. Most importantly, reviewers say the tampons are both comfortable and absorbent. And suggested that the tampons from This Is L Inc are causing ovarian cysts. Shoppers love that they are made from responsibly sourced, organic cotton and that their applicator is made from 92% of plant-based materials. Thanks again for sharing your story its voices like yours that can make all the difference. That brings us to. But no matter what your period product preference, you shouldn't be worried about whether it can harm your health. It also appears insunscreen and cosmetics, two categories in which the ingredient is also generally considered safe. PO Box 8743 Read reviews and buy Tampax Pure Cotton Tampons - Super - 24ct at Target. With all these questions, we turned to experts for answers. 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. She does this by citing another TikTok videoin which that user claimed to have excessive vaginal bleeding, ovarian cystsand uterine damage after using L. brand tampons. The TikTok user who posted the video makes theclaim that TiO2 has been linked to cancer and multiple gynecological issues. Visit our press room or contact our communications director. "I have a very heavy flow, and I find that I don't have to change these too often. 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. We will keep fighting for the need for safer products and more thorough research! TiO2 was nevertheless banned as a food additive in the EU as of this month. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. With these there's no irritation or dryness, I honestly forget they're in. Chemistry class was a long time ago. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs can act like the naturally occurring hormones in your body. "[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. And, spoiler: Its in plenty of other products you probably use in your day-to-day life. Titanium dioxide is common chemical. "They're easy to use, easily concealable, and give me ease of mind that I'm doing something good for the environment. "I don't feel as though organic tampons are necessarily any safer than the traditionally manufactured tampons available to the consumer," she said. womensvoices@womensvoices.org. 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. I found a TikTok talking about L Organic Tampons and how they have titanium dioxide in them for coloring. "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. We spoke to ob-gyn James A. Gohar, MD, co-founder and CEO of Viva Eve, to set the record straight on this substance in question, including whether it poses any risk to your reproductive health (or otherwise) and which tampon products are safest. 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. So people are like, Okay, it's doing a good thing. And live a healthy lifestyle. According to Dr. Aly Cohen, founder & medical director of The Smart Human LLC, all of these studies are different. (That's slowly changing after New York passed a law requiring ingredients lists on menstrual products sold in the state). To be blunt, they are worried about the possibility of something happening that has never been demonstrated to happen, Marino said. I believe we all have a responsibility to better and more critically appraise social media content, particularly with regard to health and medical information. Here's why: sometimes the substance is also noted as "Pigment White 6" or "White Pigment," Dr. Gohar explains. Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. For more details, see our Privacy Policy. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. . Estimated ship . All rights reserved. "As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth's crust and is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron. These products are made from cotton and it is actually the cotton contained in these products that are the potential problem. And performed in ways that account for different titanium dioxide levels and time of exposure. Glyphosateis from a class of chemicals known as endocrine disrupters. How Bad Is It Really to Use Baby Powder 'Down There?'. OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? And the data seems to [indicate] that not very much gets into your body. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. Addressing a popular TikTok concern over titanium dioxide getting absorbed by the vagina, Gunter said that this doesnt happen because of titanium dioxides chemical composition. js.src = '//p2a.co/js/embed/widget/advocacywidget.min.js'; Well, unfortunately, we just dont know if that causes health effects.There is no published research available that has ever examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide. Here are 11 organic tampons that reviewers love. 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. As an emergency roomdoctor, there would be many possible (and more likely) emergency room causes of excessive menstrual bleeding that I would evaluate a patient for. While they are not safer to use, there are some benefits to switching to organic tamponsparticularly for environmental reasons. The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. 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. Very pleased with these. So you can choose whether or not you want to accept a possible risk to have a whiter tampon OR choose a brand that doesnt include it. 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. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/titanium-dioxide-e171-no-longer-considered-safe-when-used-food-additive, how are all these experts not seeing a connection? But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. These are the best organic tampons to shop for: Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved titanium dioxide for human consumption in 1966, cementing its presence in a variety of foods, including candies and other processed foods.. Consider this important information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)and please share this information with other people who may use these products. This disruption of certain biological pathways can lead to the development of the disease. In 2021, the EFSA ruled that titanium dioxide is unsafe as a food additive and is suspected of causing cancer. Just because someone had health problems after they used something doesnt necessarily mean an ingredient in that thing caused the problem, Wallace said. There are several health concerns regarding TiO2. If you have sensitive skin, these hypoallergenic, certified organic cotton tampons from Cora might be just what you're looking for. The 2023 Complete Python Certification Bootcamp Bundle, Mourning the Loss of Addison Raes Debut Album | The Meme Machine. FDA-cleared tampons are made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; He is also a former United States Peace Corps Volunteer. Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble, which carries the brands This Is L, Always, and Tampax, has been responding to concerns surrounding titanium dioxide in its products. TikTok is a powerful platform thats influencing peoples lives including their physical health. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. We should be able to make a period product that does not lead to cysts! According to the suit, 80 percent of the tampons' ingredients are "not cotton," and 60 percent of the ingredients are "not organic," as . These are by far the most comfortable, reliable, and absorbent. This is misleading; the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the compound's use in food and cosmetics, and experts say no studies have proven a link between tampon strings and cancer in humans. You may be surprised to learn that the FDA regulates tampons as medical devices. This needs to be properly investigated. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes. WVEs Director of Science and Research, Alex Scranton, addresses your questions about titanium dioxide in tampons and pads in this session of #AskAlex. And its certainly worth asking: Is it worth a potential risk worth to have a tampon or pad thats just a little more white before you use it? The toxic substance produced by the bacteria can cause organ damage (including kidney, heart, and liver failure), shock, and even death. I won't use any other brands after these. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. One shopper called the Top tampons a "must try" before adding, "I've used many different brands of organic tampons. Alexandra Scranton is the director of science and research at Womens Voices for the Earth, an environmental nonprofit. If you can find products that don't have them, that's gonna lessen your exposure., Follow the less is more approach: Meaning [the] lowest possible use of anything that has not been tested properly, Dr. Cohen said. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Experts resounding answer: We dont have enough data. 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. And many of these chemicals have been associated with contributing to cancer and other medical problems. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! ", Price at time of publication: $12.74 for 16 count. "Most tampons list their ingredients on the back of the package," Dr. Gohar says. So companies need to come forward and explain what gives them confidence in using it. 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. Meanwhile, other countries are cracking down on the coloring agent. Because there's so little conclusive research on the potential effects of titanium dioxide, you're not going to find clear, concise guidance for tampon shopping by studying up. None. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. Once that social media seed is planted, it is extremely difficult to convince people otherwise. Doctors say there's no link between cancer titanium dioxide. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the 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. 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). We know from rat studies, rats that inhale it are getting lung cancer.. Shoppers love that these organic Tampax tampons have an applicator that is comfortable and easy to use. And is used as a coloring agent to brighten and whiten things like period products. 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. The popularity of organic tampons has been on the rise lately as more and more people make the switch to all-natural products. 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. 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. "I love these non-applicator tampons," raved one reviewer. Protective wrap stands up to the roughest of travel and yet is easily unwrapped so no time is wasted. 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. But this amount varies by product. It can be frustrating when you don't have a clear picture of the ingredients in your tampons, toothpaste, chewing gum, and everything in between. I used this exact brand. I wouldn't raise the alarm. Here's what the experts suggest Keep it simple: Things like colorants, whiteners, and fragrances are not necessary to the product, Scranton said. As for the potential risks (or lack thereof!) Media inquiries? Shoppers are fans of the tampon's compact design that fits in the palm of their hand, allowing them to discreetly carry one to the bathroom. The European Union banned titanium dioxide in food earlier this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service.