To be blunt, they are worried about the possibility of something happening that has never been demonstrated to happen, Marino said. No tampon should be used more than once. These are the best organic tampons to shop for: Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons. Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. 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. These Veeda tampons are as eco-friendly as they can possibly get. "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. "These tampons are fantastic," wrote one customer. And the data seems to [indicate] that not very much gets into your body. "I don't feel as though organic tampons are necessarily any safer than the traditionally manufactured tampons available to the consumer," she said. 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. These are by far the most comfortable, reliable, and absorbent. Along with being hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, the tampons feature twisted organic cotton fibers for added absorbency. Both TikTok users are falling prey to the correlation, not causation trap. And it functions the same in tampons: Titanium dioxide serves as a coloring agent to make your period products appear whiter, Dr. Gohar says. 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.. Titanium dioxide is common chemical. ', Consuming it orally appears to be a different story. 4.7 out of 5 stars. }(document, 'script', 'advocacy-actionwidget-code')); Womens Voices for the Earth 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. Titanium dioxide is a white powder and a common ingredient in many products. 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. 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. What we have now is some really interesting studies on titanium dioxide, showing that there's a disruption of the gut microbiome when you ingest it, Dr. Cohen said. With all these questions, we turned to experts for answers. And linked it to cancer and damage to the immune system when certain amounts were ingested over a period of time. No tampon should be used more than once. 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). It neutralizes smell as well. 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 virtual freak out on TikTok over titanium dioxidea natural mineral approved by the Food and Drug Administration that is used in a variety of products, including sunscreen, cosmetics, food, and toothpasteappears to have started with one video posted at the beginning of the week. Tampons are one method of absorbing menstrual flow during your period. It's mainly used for color. Subscribe to receive Consumer Updates email notifications. Best Organic Tampons. You may be surprised to learn that the FDA regulates tampons as medical devices. Skimm'd by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Maria McCallen, and Kamini Ramdeen-Chowdhury. The problem is, although the cotton is resistant to the effects of the herbicide glyphosate, the chemical is still absorbed by the plant. Is it possible todays feminine hygiene products are exposing me to cancer-causing chemicals? The main difference between regular and organic tampons are the materials used when making them. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. I wouldn't raise the alarm. A viral TikTok video is spreading misinformation that an ingredient occasionally found in tampons titanium dioxide can cause cancer. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. Let's look at the concerns around today's feminine hygiene products, specifically national brand tampons and pads. js.src = '//p2a.co/js/embed/widget/advocacywidget.min.js'; You might be racking your brain and thinking, But what about all the studies you just mentioned. Science is complex. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. 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. 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. It's also worth being skeptical of any definitive claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is super harmful. But the video is raising important questions: What is titanium dioxide? Some. Theyre actually in other brands like Always pads and Tampax tampons. 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? And many of these chemicals have been associated with contributing to cancer and other medical problems. He is also a former United States Peace Corps Volunteer. And that is what I encourage you all to do to contact the manufacturers of the products you use. The popularity of organic tampons has been on the rise lately as more and more people make the switch to all-natural products. "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. Research has shown that fabrics with titanium dioxide that are washed repeatedly release very little of the mineral, she said. We also reached out to Proctor & Gamble, which makes the L. tampons, for comment multiple times with no response. Shoppers love that these organic Tampax tampons have an applicator that is comfortable and easy to use. "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. 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. But, before you choose to leave a tampon in for an extended period, we recommend learning about the risks of and how to avoid toxic shock syndrome. I wear zero makeup. For example, here's the ingredient list for Tampax Peal There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. Shes getting checked for fucking cancer. Mostly organic produce. ", These organic cotton tampons from Rael have a near-perfect rating on Amazon thanks to their leak-locking technology and ultra-slim BPA-free applicator that glides in easily and comfortably. Meaning, you dont have to worry that the blood soaked tampon string is leaking titanium dioxide nanoparticles into your vagina.. "As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth's crust and is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron. The FDA classifies tampons and pads as medical devices, and thus manufacturers of these products are recommended, but not required, to list their ingredients. Also Im not looking for attention. 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. 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. That being said, you may choose to avoid this particular potential exposure. Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure . You know why? "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. "Best product ever," raved one customer. Rates of reported TSS cases associated with tampons have declined significantly over the years. So there are lots of ways to be exposed to this chemical. I can wear them for as long as necessary and there is no leakage. 3 Safety Considerations for Silica Supplements. 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. According to Dr. Aly Cohen, founder & medical director of The Smart Human LLC, all of these studies are different. 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. 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. But this amount varies by product. But I can tell you this cyst has made my job exhausting and totally draining chasing my toddler around. So, why would they use an ingredient that can be considered cariogenic and cause reproductive issues with tampons? When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. 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. Which is why you might be alarmed by recent claims on social media about tampons. Media inquiries? For more details, see our Privacy Policy. 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. Titanium dioxide is in food, cosmetics, dye, tampons. 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. I started switching to organic food, so why not beauty/hygiene products as well? And see what they say. This lack of data is incredibly frustrating, given that 26 percent of the global population are of reproductive age and presumably using pads and tampons on the regular to manage their cycles. Dr. Katrine Wallace, an epidemiologist and adjunct assistant professor at University of Illinois at Chicago, is another debunker of TikTok misinformation and has more than 267,000 followers on the platform. And that's a really good thing to drive science [and] safer products. Wash your hands before and after using a tampon. the she-quel and creator of URJA Intimates skincare products for the vulva and vagina. According to the brand, the tampons feature a unique design that keeps "fluids locked in the core for added security. 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. While you may have heard about reusable tampons, the FDA has not cleared or approved these products. As Dr. Eyvazzadeh points out, we just don't know either wayno matter how certain Becky on TikTok seems. A TikTok with more than 3 million views is raising questions about just that. Could you explain as to why this happened to me? Hundreds of Amazon shoppers love these organic cotton tampons from Seventh Generation because of their comfortable, dual-layer design that prevents leaks. And they made that call after food safety officials said it could damage DNA, which could lead to cancer. The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK.. 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. However, larger quantities of titanium dioxide might be damaging if ingested, Dr. Gohar says. Price at time of publication: $6.98 for 20 count. 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. For example, when the substance is applied via sunscreen, sufficient data have found titanium dioxide to be "generally recognized as safe and effective," per the FDA. I have been researching health impacts of pads and tampons for nearly a decade, so I love having all this new ingredient info. But this amount varies by product. However, trouble arose for the ingredient in 2021 when the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a statement that titanium dioxide "could no longer be considered safe" as a food additive. Get it daily. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. "Organic tampons are available as an alternative for women who prefer to go this route," said Dr. Ross. Given the mixed reviews on the substance, it's obvious why some are concerned about consuming it. No applicator also means less plastic, less waste, and they're also way more discreet, and I can pack more of them into a smaller space. With these there's no irritation or dryness, I honestly forget they're in. The highly absorbent products are made without any dioxides, polyester, pesticides, or fragrances, and they are applicator-free. "They come in two different sizesregular and superwhich are very convenient depending on the day. Chemistry class was a long time ago. Only tampons that have been cleared by the FDA can be legally marketed in the U.S. Our editors independently select these products. ", Price at time of publication: $6.95 for 16 count. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? "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. Titanium dioxide exposure would not be on that list. I WOULD sue this company if I had the slightest idea where to start or the finances to get the ball rolling. If you don't want to take any chances with this ingredient, try these organic products instead. Tampons cleared by the FDA are meant to be used one time and then thrown away. Are We Seeing the End of Scented Tampons? Organyc 100% Certified Organic Cotton Tampons. 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.. 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. As for the potential risks (or lack thereof!) 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. For sunscreen, the research that's been done has looked at how much titanium dioxide do you absorb through your skin when you put it on as a sunscreen, she said. Health First: A Cleaning Products Industry Roadmap for Selecting Safer Chemicals, Beyond the Label: Health Impacts of Harmful Ingredients in Cleaning Products, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=consumer.reporting1, More Period Policies are Addressing Ingredient Safety and Transparency, Thinx PFAS Lawsuit Also Calls Attention to Nanosilver Concerns, Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022: MOCRA Explained, First US approval of indoor air disinfectant draws NGO criticism, Johnson & Johnson Will Discontinue Talc-Based Baby Powder Globally in 2023. Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. We reject and actively push back against racist rhetoric, actions, policies and institutional oppression that leads to state-sanctioned brutality, gun violence, and harmthat again and again assaults communities, particularly communities of color. Titanium dioxide might be one of these. 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. "They're organic, and I love how compact they are! 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. 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. "[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. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. Mounting evidence has resulted in the World Health Organization labeling glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs can act like the naturally occurring hormones in your body. 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. "I love these non-applicator tampons," raved one reviewer. Including. 1031 33rd Street A viral TikTok with millions views about how tampons that contain titanium dioxide can cause cancer and other health problems has spurred calls on the platform to throw away all products that match that description. But we [also] don't have the data to support, Don't worry about this. Fortunately, many new wave period-care companies are extremely transparent about their ingredients lists. Nonetheless, doctors on TikTok and across social media have come out to say that tampon users should not panic, as there is no scientific evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons cause any harm. I just think its important to not think that because we see one TikTok of somebody having a problem and [saying] this is what caused it to understand that thats not the most scientific way to figure out whats going on., We may earn a commission from links on this page. 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. If you have sensitive skin, these hypoallergenic, certified organic cotton tampons from Cora might be just what you're looking for. And, spoiler: Its in plenty of other products you probably use in your day-to-day life. Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? at the Posner Center Estimated ship . You can opt-out at any time. "I have been using these for a few years now and I love them," raved one shopper. I am less concerned with the level of titanium dioxide in tamponsthan I am with how social media users dangerously, and unchecked, amplifymisinformation. 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. National Library of Medicines list And the importance of questioning what were consuming on the daily. What Are the Symptoms of Having Your Period? Exposure to these chemicals can then interfere with important processes in your body. "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.". Never ever in my life have had an ovarian cyst. And not by experts on tiktoc. Very pleased with these. However, there are no trials to validate this finding in humans. We may earn a commission from links on this page. However, as of 2022, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) still . Tampons are not intended to be used at any other time or . Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. 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. This is the case for period care products, even those made with organic cotton. If youre still super worried, and I hear you, then use something else, like pads or menstrual cups or whatnot, Lincoln, who has 2.8 million followers on TikTok, said. 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. $46 at Amazon. 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. "According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), regulated doses of titanium dioxide are not harmful, but this also varies based on use," Dr. Gohar says. As of the time of publication of this article, Morgans TikTok as well as others on the subject with the hashtag #titaniumdioxide were still on the platform racking up views. ", One shopper wrote, "I used to use Tampax, but things changed as I got older and I needed something more absorbent and more comfortable. Chemicals are everywhere. 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. (That's slowly changing after New York passed a law requiring ingredients lists on menstrual products sold in the state). But this amount varies by product. Reusable tampons may carry additional risks of infections such as yeast, fungal, and bacterial infections. According to the company, TiO2 represents less than 0.1% of all the ingredients they use to manufacture their tampons. Another familiar one: Tampax is similar to Kotex in that these are your everyday, typical tampons.