In this study, food-related TiO 2 NPs (anatase, 40 nm) were given to rats by oral gavage for 90 days at doses of 10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg bw. Tampons are great. More:Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? Ive written multiple times in this columnabout how an observed association between two events or variables does not necessarily mean that one caused the other. According to Code of Federal Regulations, the mineral is considered "exempt from certification" in cosmetics, medical devices, and pharmaceutical drugs, meaning it has determined that the "certification of this color additive is not necessary for the protection of the public health. Regarding risk of cancer, there is an oft-cited study that shows that chronic high-level exposure of inhaled TiO2 could be linked to lung cancer in rats. July 21, 2021, Britannica, "Titanium Dioxide," accessed Aug. 8, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Foods," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Cosmetics," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Drugs," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Medical Devices," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely," Sept. 30, 2020, Food and Drug Administration, "Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-The-Counter Human Use," March 29, 2022, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, "European Union: Titanium Dioxide Banned as a Food Additive in the EU," March 3, 2022, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, "Titanium Dioxide," Jan. 13, 2021, Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, "Opinion on Titanium dioxide (TiO2) used in cosmetic products that lead to exposure by inhalation," Oct. 6, 2022, European Food Safety Authority, "Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive," May 6, 2021, European Food Safety Authority, "Safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive," May 6, 2021, Journal of Nanobiotechnology, "Critical review of the safety assessment of titanium dioxide additives in food," June 1, 2018, Health Canada, "Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive: Current science report," June 20, 2022, Scientific American, "Are Skittles Toxic from Titanium Dioxide?" Depending on the manufacturing processes, PEGs can be contaminated with measurable amounts of chemicals such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Is the titanium dioxide in tampons toxic? Inhaling titanium dioxide while you're painting a room or working on a construction site, for example, may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. accessed Aug. 9, 2022, Chemical Safety Facts, "Titanium Dioxide | Use, Benefits, and Chemical Safety Facts," accessed Aug. 8, 2022, International Agency for Research on Cancer, "Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans VOLUME 93 Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc," 2010, International Agency for Research on Cancer, "Studies of Cancer in Experimental Animals - Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc," 2010, Healthline, "Titanium dioxide in food Should you be concerned?" A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. People on social media are worried that titanium dioxide on tampons can cause cancer or irregular periods thanks to a viral video. The Food and Drug Administration considers tampons medical devices, which means the agency has oversight on whats in them. "If you use these, STOP RIGHT NOW!! So manufacturers add preservatives, fragrance and bleach to make it more appealing. "could no longer be considered safe" as a food additive, ban TiO2 as a food additive earlier this year, classifies tampons and pads as medical devices, are recommended, but not required, to list their ingredients, may cause cancer based on studies done on animals, government sets limits on exposure for workers, not found any clear link between lung cancer, titanium dioxide can cause alterations to the reproductive system, 26 percent of the global population are of reproductive age. Its derived from petroleum and is found in some beauty products because its very cheap and is considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring.. Environmental and reproductive health experts have mixed views on how safe titanium dioxide in menstrual products is, but there's no evidence the tampons cause reproductive health problems like ovarian cysts or cancer. And in 2020, The European Unions Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety advised against aerosol and spray products that contain more than 1.4% titanium dioxide due to concerns about inhalation. Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what-s-the-risk-titanium-dioxide All rights reserved. As for the potential risks (or lack thereof!) Because exposure levels are very low, it is likely this is a very low carcinogenic risk. stated on July 20, 2022 an Instagram post: stated on June 21, 2022 an Instagram post: stated on June 17, 2022 a post on Facebook: stated on June 12, 2022 social media posts: stated on January 6, 2023 in a video shared on Facebook: stated on January 16, 2023 in a photo on Facebook: stated on January 11, 2023 in an Instagram post: stated on January 1, 2023 in an image shared on Instagram: stated on January 10, 2023 in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity: stated on December 1, 2022 in a radio interview: stated on January 12, 2023 in a photo on Facebook: stated on January 12, 2023 in remarks at the White House: All Rights Reserved Poynter Institute 2020, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, established what it calls a "permissible exposure limit. That is why its so important to take your own health into account and start educating yourself on common ingredients. Propylene is a plastic that is found in food containers like those that hold yogurt, cream cheese and butter products. (That's slowly changing after New York passed a law requiring ingredients lists on menstrual products sold in the state). ", Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Flynn agree that it's okay to approach the ingredient with caution. But there is also no published research on vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide that can guarantee its safety. This brand is my go to- you can find it at Loblaws or even Amazon! . The widespread use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) in the food industry has brought about human safety risks related to nanotoxicity. Its widely used in the fashion industry because of its ability to mimic the look and feel of other fabrics such as silk, cotton, wool and others. The brand, L., markets itself as "accessible period care made with ingredients inspired by nature," according to its website. In other words, over the billions of tampons used, a handful of cases have found that tampons contributed to cancer but did not cause cancer. Yes, I know there are scary videos circulating on TikTok, but this is chemophobia. Titanium dioxide can also be in food, according to the National Library of Medicine. Here's why: sometimes the substance is also noted as "Pigment White 6" or "White Pigment," Dr. Gohar explains. Titanium dioxide is a common ingredient in tampons, and tampon use has not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health,11(3), 221-232. doi:10.1179/oeh.2005.11.3.221, Polypropylene. Whats lost in translation is that its really related to the inhalation of titanium dioxide, not (when it's) used internally, such as a tampon," she explained, adding that the research is in rats. The doctors all praised how tampons make a lot of activities, like swimming, more accessible when you have your period, and stressed that people should feel comfortable using whatever menstrual products they like best. Titanium dioxide might be one of these. "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." 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. Keep in mind that products labeled as natural don't mean anything and are a form of greenwashing. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) occurs when a super-absorbent tampons is inserted for longer than medically recommended, which may lead certain types of bacteria to grow. Most people assume that their personal products are safe and are willing to use them regardless of ingredients which is why big companies are still using cheap and unsafe ingredients. Organyc is also a safe and clean choice for menstrual products. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a natural oxide of the element titanium with low toxicity, and negligible biological effects. If you think of all the cosmetics and dyes and candy and food its everywhere, Dr. Jennifer Wu, an OB-GYN at Lenox Hill Hospital, told TODAY. Whats lost in translation is that its really related to the inhalation of titanium dioxide, not (when it's) used internally, such as a tampon," she explained, adding that the research is in rats. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Is Titanium Dioxide in Tampons and Pads Safe? Journal of Injury and Violence Research,1(1), 3-5. doi:10.5249/jivr.v1i1.1, The Dirty Dozen: PEG Compounds and their contaminants. We need your help. But titanium dioxide's possible deleterious effects extend beyond ingesting it. Examples of this include the follicular phase, ovulatory phase and the luteal phase. 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. "[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. Fitness, Acupuncture & Healthy Lifestyle Blog. TiO2 was nevertheless banned as a food additive in the EU as of this month. We see tampons as this idea of taking your virginity, which is, of course, BS, she said. 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. ", "Titanium dioxide is not an issue," she said, adding that "titanium dioxide doesn't cause reproductive harm when it's on a tampon string.". It can also be found in a variety of beauty products and lotions such as sunscreen. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Organic doesnt necessarily mean better and non-organic doesnt equal danger. (LogOut/ Titanium dioxide can also be in food, according to the National Library of Medicine. Titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in many products to make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. However, titanium dioxide isn't just a popular ingredient in food. 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. The minerals effects have been tested primarily in animals, but some research has found it can be harmful when inhaled or consumed in large quantities amounts not used in tampons. They found values ranging from 14,600-4,550,000 particles per capita per day, depending on the region. But TiO2 is insoluble in water meaning that it cannot be dissolved into smaller particles. Titanium dioxide has bubbled up to the top of our feed again, but this time it's not in Skittles, it's in tampons. Its a compound that reflects light particles. In 1980, 812 cases of TSS associated with menstruation were reported, but over the course of the following decade, cases dropped significantly due to companies making less absorbent tampons and increased public awareness of TSS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people assume that menstrual products contain safe, non-toxic ingredients. 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. (2020). Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. It seems that because most people trust the ingredients, big companies and corporations can get away with adding cheap and harmful ingredients to our personal products. Period. 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 experts agree that myths about tampons have long existed, and this is just the latest misconception. She discovered the tampons she was using lists titanium dioxide as an ingredient, which she blames for her health issues. Its on the string so its not even in the part of the tampon thats inside the vagina," Lincoln said. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.). Some experts say that there's no need to lose sleep over having titanium dioxide in tampons. Dr. Philip M. Tierno, Jr., a professor of microbiology and pathology at the NYU School of Medicine, told Insider that while titanium dioxide is used in plenty of everyday products, "tampons are especially a problem" since it's possible the chemical could be absorbed into the bloodstream through the vagina's lining. Find him on Instagram@dr.daignault. Some country-level occupational health and safety organizations cite a lack of high-quality studiesfrom which they can draw any concrete conclusions about the long-term risks of There have been studies in animals that have shown the carcinogenic effects of titanium dioxide when inhaled. 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. "Exposure can irritate eyes, nose, and throat, and causes cancer," TikToker monirubio8 reads from a state government webpageon titanium dioxide. It is considered one of the most dangerous fabrics, but is still one of the main ingredients in our menstrual products! Its production is not sustainable nor environmentally friendly, making it a harmful and unnecessary ingredient in our menstrual products. After a review of numerous studies, many conducted in animals given high doses of titanium dioxide, the agency reported it did not find evidence of general, organ, reproductive, or developmental toxicity. Titanium dioxide is used in all kinds of products as a whitener, including toothpaste, sunscreen, and yes, period care. So while there is no evidence of danger, "we also dont have the science to assure us that this kind of exposure is safe either. The titanium dioxide many of the products contain is a naturally occurring mineral used in numerous everyday products as a pigment to keep colors bright and white or filter ultraviolet rays. However, that is unfortunately not the case for pads and tampons. When Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, while other swear by menstrual cups or 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. The amount of titanium dioxide in each tampon is minuscule. The titanium dioxide in it is toxic to us & causing cancerous cysts, ectopic pregnancies, & reproductive damage in humans. This ingredient is used by Tampax as a wax to keep the [tampon] string clean. But what about its relationship to cancer? While it sounds scary, the experts stress theres little truth behind these worries. Her team is working on a pilot project analyzing tampons for the presence of metals and pesticides. We follow them for beauty tutorials and fashion tips, fitness and more. 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. Are common multivitamins worth the money? Case in point: exposure to titanium dioxide may destroy good gut microbes, cause gut dysfunction and increase intestinal inflammation, according to a February 2021 systematic review of animal studies published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.. Theyve got their ingredients listed on the box and on their website.. "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. What I want to get at here is that its so important to not add toxic chemicals to your cycle because this can later cause hormonal imbalances, bacterial infections or even a heavier flow. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. "So, if titanium dioxide is giving you anxiety that you just can't shake," there are plenty of period care products and trustworthy tampon brands you can try without the chemical, Dr. Gohar says. Health into account and start educating yourself on common ingredients we follow them for tutorials. Capita per day, depending on the manufacturing processes, PEGs can contaminated. Drug Administration considers tampons medical devices, which she blames for her health issues wax to keep the [ ]. The luteal phase the brand, L., markets itself as `` accessible period care made with inspired! Myths about tampons have long existed, and this is chemophobia vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium titanium dioxide tampons risks... She discovered the tampons she was using lists titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in all kinds of products a! Verify this finding and unnecessary ingredient in food brand, L., markets as... Day, depending on the region you in the ER having titanium dioxide used! 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