"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. "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. Glyphosateis from a class of chemicals known as endocrine disrupters. Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble, which carries the brands This Is L, Always, and Tampax, has been responding to concerns surrounding titanium dioxide in its products. Tampons are not intended to be used at any other time or . If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the Walmart customers love these super plus organic cotton tampons from Lola so much, they have given them an impressive 4.3-star rating. The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK. Here are 11 organic tampons that reviewers love. While they are not safer to use, there are some benefits to switching to organic tamponsparticularly for environmental reasons. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. I have been researching health impacts of pads and tampons for nearly a decade, so I love having all this new ingredient info. "There are no published studies on titanium dioxide causing excessive bleeding, infertility or cancer, so it is hard to say if it is dangerous to women's health or not," Dr. Gohar says. "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. It's primarily used to help make white foods appear whiter (like milk and candy) or to lengthen the shelf life of foods that are sensitive to UV light. This is what manufacturers need to know that people are reading these things and asking these questions.. In addition to being made with 100% natural cotton, the tampons don't come with any applicators, so no excess materials need to be thrown away. 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? L. Organic Cotton Regular and Super Absorbency Compact Tampons 76CT. That being said, you may choose to avoid this particular potential exposure. $17.50 ($0.24/Count) Sold by Utopia Distributors and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. 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. 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. 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. Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: (406) 543-3747 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. If so, keep reading! TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. There are several health concerns regarding TiO2. But this amount varies by product. The tampons are made from 100% organic cotton that is both soft and breathable. Only tampons that have been cleared by the FDA can be legally marketed in the U.S. This box of organic tampons from Top comes in both super and regular sizes, for light and heavy days. Including how tampons affect vaginal bacteria. 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 it functions the same in tampons: Titanium dioxide serves as a coloring agent to make your period products appear whiter, Dr. Gohar says. And then look up and vet the products that we do have available.. 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. 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. And Scranton thinks that the more people read and learn about what theyre using, the more likely theyll push for change. Let's look at the concerns around today's feminine hygiene products, specifically national brand tampons and pads. 4.7 out of 5 stars. The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. The chemical substance also seems to have a potentially negative impact on the gut microbiome, Dr. Gohar says. Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. Once that social media seed is planted, it is extremely difficult to convince people otherwise. What do they know about titanium dioxide that assures them its safe? This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. }(document, 'script', 'advocacy-actionwidget-code')); Womens Voices for the Earth Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. And certainly there are a few red flags with titanium dioxide, so its not unreasonable to be concerned. The FDA classifies tampons and pads as medical devices, and thus manufacturers of these products are recommended, but not required, to list their ingredients. Its used in sunscreen, all kinds of cosmetics, medications, and youll find it in food. OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? Do you need an 'armpit detox?' And is used as a coloring agent to brighten and whiten things like period products. 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. I can wear them for as long as necessary and there is no leakage. However, there are no trials to validate this finding in humans. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes. For many, the video has raised awareness about an important issue: The chemicals in our products. 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). 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. Over the years, companies like Dunkin have announced theyre cutting ties with titanium dioxide (which used it for its powdered donuts). Given the mixed reviews on the substance, it's obvious why some are concerned about consuming it. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. 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. Titanium dioxide is commonly found in countless everyday products including food, cosmetics, drugs, paper and toothpaste. This disruption of certain biological pathways can lead to the development of the disease. The 2023 Complete Python Certification Bootcamp Bundle, Mourning the Loss of Addison Raes Debut Album | The Meme Machine. polyester, glycerin, paraffin, titanium dioxide. Pain Inserting a Tampon? I would just be a very educated consumer, and I would be aware of what we're putting in our bodies. In addition, Gunter stated that this wouldnt apply anyway because no one is washing a tampon and reusing it, anyway. The toxic substance produced by the bacteria can cause organ damage (including kidney, heart, and liver failure), shock, and even death. 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. 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. Estimated ship dimensions: 2.795 inches length x 4.37 inches width x 5.669 inches height. (The FDA says that manufacturers can have no more than 1 percent TiO2 in food.). And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. But first. Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your 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.. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. After August 7, the EU is banning it. I found a TikTok talking about L Organic Tampons and how they have titanium dioxide in them for coloring. While you may have heard about reusable tampons, the FDA has not cleared or approved these products. Certainly, we don't have the data to support that alarmist concern. These are by far the most comfortable, reliable, and absorbent. These [are comfortable and] do what they need to, and I don't need to worry about leaks the way I used to. 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. "As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth's crust and is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron. New study explores the benefits,harms. Some. 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. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. These are the best organic tampons to shop for: Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons. Inhaling titanium dioxide may also result in adverse respiratory reactions, Dr. Gohar says. 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. Felt they had the same or better absorbency. "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." However, these studies were conducted on mice who orally consumed titanium dioxide, so we'll still need extensive clinical research on humans before we can definitively link TiO2 with reproductive disruptionor assume those risks definitely come from other intakes of the ingredient. The other thing that we know [about titanium dioxide is] you don't wanna inhale it, Scranton said. And suggested that the tampons from This Is L Inc are causing ovarian cysts. 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). Thats huge, considering the FDA doesnt require companies to list the individual ingredients in tampons and pads since theyre considered medical devices. Pro tip: It can also appear as Pigment White 6 and White Pigment in packaging. 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. Exposure to these chemicals can then interfere with important processes in your body. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The Beach Is My Happy Placeand Here Are 3 Science-Backed Reasons It Should Be Yours, Too. While there's concern over This Is L Incs tampons, the use of the ingredient in period products isnt new. Could you explain as to why this happened to me? 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. "I love that these are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and non-toxic," wrote one. Most importantly, reviewers say the tampons are both comfortable and absorbent. Shoppers love that they are made from responsibly sourced, organic cotton and that their applicator is made from 92% of plant-based materials. The only tampons cleared or approved by the FDA are designed for single-use. 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. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. But this amount varies by product. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. Menstrual pads get even more complicated with top layers, middle layers of absorbent foam, super absorbent polymers, various waterproof backings, more fragrance, lots of coatings to wick fluid and aid absorption, lotion ingredients like petrolatum, adhesives made with styrene, more titanium dioxide to make it look whiter, as well as colored dyes for pretty designs. 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. 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. Chemicals are everywhere. Organic farming typically uses more sustainable practices, plus by not treating cotton with pesticides, fewer harmful chemicals have been released into the environment. We should be able to make a period product that does not lead to cysts! The main difference between regular and organic tampons are the materials used when making them. Made with a 100% cotton core, the company's feminine care products are produced without any dyes, fragrances, or chlorine bleaching. I changed them every 2-3 hours, and even then I'd feel dry and chaffed or just felt them there. 4 Mistakes That Are Causing You to Waste Money on Skin-Care Serums, According to an Esthetician, These Are the Best Anti-Chafing Denim ShortsAccording to Some Very Happy Reviewers. To be blunt, they are worried about the possibility of something happening that has never been demonstrated to happen, Marino said. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? There are many substances, including medications, that we safely encounter or consume on a regular basis. tampons can provide protection for up to 8 hours at a time, making them a good option for overnight use. Fortunately, many new wave period-care companies are extremely transparent about their ingredients lists. The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK.. While animal studies give us important information, they cannot be directly generalized to people, Marino said. 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. At TOTM, we can confirm that we do not use titanium dioxide at any stage of our . Media inquiries? 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. But TiO2 is insoluble in water meaning that it cannot be dissolved into smaller particles. 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I wish I could explain what has happened to you and to the others who have responded to the viral TikToks with similar stories of their own. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (function(d, s, id) { Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. National Library of Medicines list Research has shown that fabrics with titanium dioxide that are washed repeatedly release very little of the mineral, she said. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare and is caused by a toxic substance that is produced by certain kinds of bacteria. Meaning, you dont have to worry that the blood soaked tampon string is leaking titanium dioxide nanoparticles into your vagina.. 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. "They come in two different sizesregular and superwhich are very convenient depending on the day. One user shared her anger after learning that the tampons shes been using contain titanium dioxide. ", Price at time of publication: $14.99 for 32 count. 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. Unfortunately, this question doesnt have a simple answer. ", One shopper wrote, "I used to use Tampax, but things changed as I got older and I needed something more absorbent and more comfortable. Is this an emergency? As far as hypothetical exposure risk, the tampon would pose a more significant exposure as it is worn internally. These popular period products are perfect for women with heavy flows because they are designed to expand in all directions to prevent leaks. If something is white, it often has titanium dioxide. The potential problem lies in the specific chemical. "Didn't get the weird tingling that other tampons can give you. It's also worth being skeptical of any definitive claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is super harmful. "Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring substance that is often used in food and other topical products to create a whiter and brighter look," Dr. Gohar says. It makes items white. Our editors independently select these products. As to whether its nanoparticals in the string or not, once blood an other fluids touches the chemical its most likely all fusing together and that is going inside our very sensitive systems. The nice thing is that finally companies are at least required to tell you what is in their products. In 2021, the EFSA ruled that titanium dioxide is unsafe as a food additive and is suspected of causing cancer. No tampon should be used more than once. For more information on TSS, see the tampon safety tips, below. Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. Could it really be responsible for reproductive health issues? Myths about aluminum and deodorant, explained. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Some country-level occupational health and safety organizations cite a lack of high-quality studies from which they can draw any concrete conclusions about the long-term risks of titanium dioxide exposure. It neutralizes smell as well. Gunter also added that when products like titanium dioxide are put on fabric, the point is to have them stay on the fabric. The tampons themselves are bleach, dye, and fragrance-free, and they're made with 100% organic cotton that is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard. Andrea Chisolm, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who has taught at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. Difference Between Regular and Organic Tampons, Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons, Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure Organic Tampons, Best Cardboard Applicator: Oi Certified Organic Tampons, Best Applicator Free: Veeda Natural Cotton Applicator Free Tampons, Best for Light Flow: Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons, Best for Heavy Flow: Lola Super Plus Organic Cotton Tampons, Best Variety Pack: Top Regular & Super Organic Tampons, Best Hypoallergenic Option: Cora Organic Cotton Tampons, Best Overnight Option: O.B. We also reached out to Proctor & Gamble, which makes the L. tampons, for comment multiple times with no response. It is thought that exposure to the developing fetus may be the time when these chemicals have some of the most significant impacts on future health. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx. That said, ovarian cysts are not that rare, and it is possible that it is just coincidental with the folks using This is L. tampons but certainly there should be enough reason now to investigate if there are connections. 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. A company spokesperson told theSkimm that the ingredient represents much less than 0.1% of all ingredients used in a [P&G] tampon. And said its been used safely for years. This needs to be properly investigated. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; One shopper called the Top tampons a "must try" before adding, "I've used many different brands of organic tampons. 1031 33rd Street 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. It is important to note that studies in rats, mice and other animals are not directly applicable to humans. Since the heaviness of your flow can fluctuate each day during your period, many women keep a variety of tampon sizes on hand. What is great is that we are reading the ingredients on these products and asking important questions about their safety. womensvoices@womensvoices.org. Cause-and-effect can only be established by rigorous randomized-control, double-blindclinical research trials or meta-analyses of multiple smaller studies, for example.