fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); Hundreds of Walmart shoppers have given the tampons a near-perfect rating, with many raving about how they're absorbent and comfortable. "They're easy to use, easily concealable, and give me ease of mind that I'm doing something good for the environment. It's mainly used for color. Here's why: sometimes the substance is also noted as "Pigment White 6" or "White Pigment," Dr. Gohar explains. No issues with the applicator and love the discreet packaging. And see what they say. 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. Glyphosateis from a class of chemicals known as endocrine disrupters. TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. Theyre actually in other brands like Always pads and Tampax tampons. It's used in sunscreen, toothpaste, some food, and it is used to whiten the string of tampons. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. Which is why you might be alarmed by recent claims on social media about tampons. Even better, organic tampons also typically use more eco-friendly applicators, such as biodegradable cardboard or BPA-free plastic applicators that are derived from plant-based materials. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. I have been researching health impacts of pads and tampons for nearly a decade, so I love having all this new ingredient info. 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. And, spoiler: Its in plenty of other products you probably use in your day-to-day life. If you don't want to take any chances with this ingredient, try these organic products instead. How do they not see that this is a dire health issue, they play it off as if we are losing our minds. Once again we are reminded how important it is that we have ingredient information, and how woefully under-researched the potential impacts that ingredients used in menstrual products and intimate care products might be having on vaginal and vulvar health. "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. Titanium dioxide is commonly found in countless everyday products including food, cosmetics, drugs, paper and toothpaste. 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. 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]. But there's not much research to tell us what the potential effects are of TiO2 in certain other formats, like if you eat a little bit of it in food, or regularly insert small amounts of it in your body via a tampon for a few days each month. It is important to note that studies in rats, mice and other animals are not directly applicable to humans. Ultimately the end product produced from the cotton may also contain some amount of the chemical. The only tampons cleared or approved by the FDA are designed for single-use. a woman on tiktok said that she "has been bleeding for 13 days, has ovarian cysts, and has to check for cancer" because she's used the L. brand 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. Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. What's great is that people are asking these questions, Scranton said. A spokesperson for Proctor and Gamble, which manufactures the L. tampons brand, told Insider titanium dioxide is used in the thread that attaches the cord to the absorbent part of the tampon, and . FDA-cleared tampons are made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two. Pro tip: It can also appear as Pigment White 6 and White Pigment in packaging. New study explores the benefits,harms. Because one of the ingredients on the back of her container is titanium dioxide, which if you dont know, causes cancer, Morgan said. 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. There are several health concerns regarding TiO2. This finding prompted the European Union to ban TiO2 as a food additive earlier this year, but in the U.S., the ingredient is still considered to be safe in food at the limits set by the FDA. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Dr. Eyvazzadeh. I won't use any other brands after these. Never ever in my life have had an ovarian cyst. According to Dr. Aly Cohen, founder & medical director of The Smart Human LLC, all of these studies are different. The highly absorbent products are made without any dioxides, polyester, pesticides, or fragrances, and they are applicator-free. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure . Wash your hands before and after using a tampon. 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. The toxic substance produced by the bacteria can cause organ damage (including kidney, heart, and liver failure), shock, and even death. 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. 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. Mounting evidence has resulted in the World Health Organization labeling glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide." 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. TiO2 was nevertheless banned as a food additive in the EU as of this month. Is this an emergency? Likely in your daily life, you have much more significant exposures to this class of chemicals. Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. 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. Used these This is L. Tampons for 2 cycles and now have a 6cm cyst, bleeding for almost 2 weeks straight, blood tests, doctors visits and now having to pay over $l000 for two sonograms. 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. Could it really be responsible for reproductive health issues? Then you can make your own decision. However, there are no trials to validate this finding in humans. 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. This is why we fight tirelessly for ingredient transparency and your right to know! 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. "I don't feel as though organic tampons are necessarily any safer than the traditionally manufactured tampons available to the consumer," she said. The chemical substance also seems to have a potentially negative impact on the gut microbiome, Dr. Gohar says. 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. womensvoices@womensvoices.org. And suggested that the tampons from This Is L Inc are causing ovarian cysts. L. Organic Cotton Regular and Super Absorbency Compact Tampons 76CT. Also, it may be genotoxic, meaning it can harm your DNA. In this world, every point in the cycle of production and consumption from extraction, to processing, to use, to disposal contributes not just to a less toxic world, but to a thriving world. What do they know about titanium dioxide that assures them its safe? So what can you do to stay healthy and safe? Best Organic Tampons. Very pleased with these. Experts resounding answer: We dont have enough data. And that is what I encourage you all to do to contact the manufacturers of the products you use. The potential problem lies in the specific chemical. And it functions the same in tampons: Titanium dioxide serves as a coloring agent to make your period products appear whiter, Dr. Gohar says. Experts that spoke to Gizmodo also insisted that there is no evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons, other topical products (sunscreen), and food is unsafe to humans as it currently used. The TikTok user who posted the video makes theclaim that TiO2 has been linked to cancer and multiple gynecological issues. "They're organic, and I love how compact they are! OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? Titanium dioxide is a white powder and a common ingredient in many products. 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. Rebecca Carhart is a Senior Ecommerce Reviews Writer covering home, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. ", Price at time of publication: $6.95 for 16 count. The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. And live a healthy lifestyle. The FDA classifies tampons and pads as medical devices, and thus manufacturers of these products are recommended, but not required, to list their ingredients. of using pads and tampons with titanium dioxidewe just don't know for certain. 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.. While they are not safer to use, there are some benefits to switching to organic tamponsparticularly for environmental reasons. Made with a 100% cotton core, the company's feminine care products are produced without any dyes, fragrances, or chlorine bleaching. The 2023 Complete Python Certification Bootcamp Bundle, Mourning the Loss of Addison Raes Debut Album | The Meme Machine. Organic farming typically uses more sustainable practices, plus by not treating cotton with pesticides, fewer harmful chemicals have been released into the environment. 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. Lets look at the concerns around todays feminine hygiene products, specifically national brand tampons and pads. According to the brand, the tampons feature a unique design that keeps "fluids locked in the core for added security. "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. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I am less concerned with the level of titanium dioxide in tamponsthan I am with how social media users dangerously, and unchecked, amplifymisinformation. 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. These videos were chemophobia, Gunter declared, and fear mongering. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Alexandra Scranton, Director of Science and Research. Alkaline water:Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? If that is the case, you can avoid glyphosate by using alternative feminine hygiene products. Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. Now 12% Off. 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. ", 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. Tampons are not intended to be used at any other time or . One shopper called the Top tampons a "must try" before adding, "I've used many different brands of organic tampons. We also reached out to Proctor & Gamble, which makes the L. tampons, for comment multiple times with no response. 3 Safety Considerations for Silica Supplements. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. These are the best organic tampons to shop for: With nearly 3,000 five-star ratings, these organic tampons from Organyc are an Amazon favorite. Tampax comes in light, regular, and super absorbencies and . As Dr. Eyvazzadeh points out, we just don't know either wayno matter how certain Becky on TikTok seems. How Bad Is It Really to Wear a Tampon for Longer Than 8 Hours? I started switching to organic food, so why not beauty/hygiene products as well? For about the last twenty years the majority of cotton farmers have been using seeds that were modified to have resistance to a major herbicide known as glyphosate. No rayon, dyes, perfumes, colors, or chlorine is used to make them either. 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. It's also is often used to make things like paint, and most relevant for our purposes, it's used to make pads and tampons appear whiter. If you use tampons during your period (or menstruation), its important to know how to use them safely. That being said, you may choose to avoid this particular potential exposure. The nice thing is that finally companies are at least required to tell you what is in their products. 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. And they made that call after food safety officials said it could damage DNA, which could lead to cancer. 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. TikTok is a powerful platform thats influencing peoples lives including their physical health. It makes items white. 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. We are starting to recognize the health concerns of this class of chemicals. As a result, it's not too difficult to shop for TiO2-free tampons if you're concernedand have the financial means to do so. Chemistry class was a long time ago. ", Price at time of publication: $14.99 for 32 count. of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. That said, with all the scientific evidence accumulating in other areas, consumers should be more aware of titanium dioxide's potential effect on reproductive health, Dr. Gohar says. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (function(d, s, id) { At TOTM, we can confirm that we do not use titanium dioxide at any stage of our . Titanium dioxide is common chemical. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Titanium Dioxide, or TiO2, is a white coloring agent used in cosmetic products, toothpaste, deodorant, desserts and paint.