Viral TikTok Falsely Says Tampon Titanium Dioxide Causes Cancer - Gizmodo The chemical substance also seems to have a potentially negative impact on the gut microbiome, Dr. Gohar says. "Most tampons list their ingredients on the back of the package," Dr. Gohar says. by theorganicbunny on August 3, 2022. That being said, you may choose to avoid this particular potential exposure. "As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth's crust and is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron. In an email statement to theSkimm, the FDA said it has not received any medical device reports related to titanium dioxide and menstrual products. And added that it requires manufacturers to evaluate their period products safety in a number of ways. Tampons cleared by the FDA are meant to be used one time and then thrown away. Since the heaviness of your flow can fluctuate each day during your period, many women keep a variety of tampon sizes on hand. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. Read our, What Exposure Could Mean for Your Reproductive Health. Rates of reported TSS cases associated with tampons have declined significantly over the years. "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.". https://www.ccohs.ca/headlines/text186.html, [2] EFSA (2021) Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive. of using pads and tampons with titanium dioxidewe just don't know for certain. I believe we all have a responsibility to better and more critically appraise social media content, particularly with regard to health and medical information. 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. It is important to note that studies in rats, mice and other animals are not directly applicable to humans. There is accumulating data suggesting an association with the EDCs (including the glyphosate found in cotton) with several conditions including but not limited to: This is a complicated question. (The FDA says that manufacturers can have no more than 1 percent TiO2 in food.). Best Organic Tampons. Here arefivesteps you can start applying today: Do this, not that: Simple swaps to boost your wellness, More: Why Epsom salt should be a staple in your home medicine cabinet, Michael Daignault, MD, is a board-certified ER doctor in Los Angeles. Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. 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. I used this exact brand. Heres what we know about exposure to titanium dioxide right now: If you inhale titanium dioxide particles it can possibly lead to lung cancer at least we know it causes lung cancer in rats [1]. 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. Here are 11 organic tampons that reviewers love. None. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. 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. 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. Plus, titanium dioxide is not water soluble, so it's unlikely to be dissolved and absorbed vaginally, according to the National Library of Medicine. The tampons are made from 100% organic cotton that is both soft and breathable. However there is not enough proof showing titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be harmful. of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. Try These OB-GYN-Recommended, Titanium Dioxide-Free Period Products Rael Organic Cotton Tampons ($13.99 for a 32-count box on Amazon.com) August Tampons ($11 for a 16-count box on Itsaugust.co) Diva Cup ($39.99 for one menstrual cup on Divacup.com) Advertisement references Is this an emergency? our process. So people are like, Okay, it's doing a good thing. Reusable tampons may carry additional risks of infections such as yeast, fungal, and bacterial infections. "Again, the data is inconclusive on whether these products are really linked to excessive bleeding, cancer and infertility, so it's not right or wrong to continue using these products based on currently available information," Dr. Gohar says. But we [also] don't have the data to support, Don't worry about this. womensvoices@womensvoices.org. 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. 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. Are We Seeing the End of Scented Tampons? Understandably, some folks are pretty mad, some are very concerned. Here are 11 organic tampons that reviewers love. And it would be a stretch to correlate a possible connection in rats to a true cause-and-effect in humans. Once that social media seed is planted, it is extremely difficult to convince people otherwise. At TOTM, we can confirm that we do not use titanium dioxide at any stage of our . As for the potential risks (or lack thereof!) The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. 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. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As shown in the viral TikTok video, some organic tampons contain titanium dioxide as a bleaching agent. 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. "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. How well do you know the ingredients in the foods you eat or products you use every day? Considering each pack comes with 32 tampons, their price isn't even that bad for an all-organic product! If so, keep reading! People have gotten into a debate over whether or not organic tampons and pads shorten the length of menstrual cycles. Ultimately the end product produced from the cotton may also contain some amount of the chemical. We are starting to recognize the health concerns of this class of chemicals. Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. I won't use any other brands after these. Meanwhile, in the US, the FDA continues to allow for safe use of TiO2 as a food additive as long as manufacturers provide evidence that it is safe at its intended level of use. This is totally safe.. Dr. Ryan Marino, a medical toxicologist and assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, told Gizmodo in an email that inhaled titanium dioxide (primarily related to industrial exposure) is considered possibly carcinogenic. "They're organic, and I love how compact they are! No tampon should be used more than once. Also Im not looking for attention. Before any tampons can be legally sold in the U.S., they must go through the FDAs review to determine whether they are as safe and effective as (substantially equivalent to) legally marketed tampons. And suggested that the tampons from This Is L Inc are causing ovarian cysts. This is why we fight tirelessly for ingredient transparency and your right to know! The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. Information reported to MedWatch helps the FDA to ensure tampons remain safe and effective. Alexandra Scranton is the director of science and research at Womens Voices for the Earth, an environmental nonprofit. And that is what I encourage you all to do to contact the manufacturers of the products you use. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! It's used in sunscreen, all kinds of cosmetics, medications, and you'll find it in food. ", Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Flynn agree that it's okay to approach the ingredient with caution. 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. 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. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. 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). Tampax. 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. These are the best organic tampons to shop for: Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? These products are made from cotton and it is actually the cotton contained in these products that are the potential problem. Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. 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. 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. Theyre actually in other brands like Always pads and Tampax tampons. Let's look at the concerns around today's feminine hygiene products, specifically national brand tampons and pads. In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive.