These days, in the United States, there are fewer than 20,000 cases of TSS a year, Greves said: Toxic shock syndrome is definitely less common simply because now were educated. Theyre really tightly regulated. One of our founding values at joni is radical transparency. USDA Organic certification may only be displayed on products that are 100% organic. Theres nothing linked in the data that says that tampon use is linked to cancer or harm in the reproductive system, Dr. Christine Greves, an OB-GYN in Orlando, Florida, told TODAY. 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. But TikTokers and commenters are questioning why the tampons contain titanium dioxide, a chemical compound often used as a whitening agent. Although the FDA considers titanium dioxide safe, the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." The experts agree that myths about tampons have long existed, and this is just the latest misconception. New study explores the benefits,harms. Americans who worked through the pandemic are being paid up to $26,000 by qualifying for the Employee Retention Credit., Every single Republican blocked Ketanji Brown Jacksons SCOTUS appointment.. 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. We have to remember that even with the big corporate brands, they exist because they want to solve a problem while making money in the process. But if you are truly looking for organic, look for certifications on the packaging. What to Know About Food Additive Titanium Dioxide," July 26, 2022, Environmental Science & Technology, "Release of Titanium Dioxide from Textiles during Washing," July 2, 2012, The Guardian, "Tampon wars: the battle to overthrow the Tampax empire," Feb. 11, 2020, District of Columbia The levels of inhalation being evaluated were in occupational conditions, like titanium dioxide manufacturing, much higher than the average consumer. But there is also no published research on vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide that can guarantee its safety. 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. Washington, DC 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 But what about its relationship to cancer? View all posts by Sara Mastrangelo. "I've been on my period for 13 days, I have ovarian cysts that they have to check for cancer, and I've used five of these," she says holding an empty container of L. tampons. Non-organic period care may also have fragrances or use bleach that can cause irritation, so its important to find the product that works for you individually and use it as directed. "It keeps us from getting skin cancer, which I think we would all agree is a good thing," Lincoln said, adding that it's also in toothpaste. Are Skittles Toxic from Titanium Dioxide? Whether titanium dioxide is toxic depends on how a person is exposed to it and in what amount. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx. Not all regulatory agencies agree: The Canada Health Department, for example, like the FDA, found titanium dioxide to be a safe food additive. 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. The National Library of Medicine noted that there's "inadequate evidence in humans" that the additive contributes to cancer. Meghan Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com. Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. Cancer is a complex phenomenon that can be correlated with many factors. I do think that they have an image problem because of that.. Some research, mostly conducted in animals, has found titanium dioxide to be harmful when inhaled and consumed, typically in large quantities. Genetically modified cotton was introduced in 1996 (only 25 years ago) and is thought to be one of the worlds dirtiest crops. Theres really two reasons why people think that it could cause cancer, and I can understand why because its confusing, Lincoln, an OB-GYN and author of the book, Lets Talk about Down There: An OB-GYN Answers all Your Burning Questions Without Making You Feel Embarrassed for Asking, told TODAY. 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. And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. 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. You can find their products at Healthy Planet or order from their website. In a previous blog post, Jayesh. So what do you do instead? according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service, Periods happen: Heres how 2 sisters are normalizing the taboo, Lauren Wasser, model who lost leg to toxic shock syndrome, speaks out, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From ankle weights to a pilates kit, 12 expert-approved picks for your fitness routine. 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. 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. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Is Titanium Dioxide Safe in Tampons? But TiO2 is insoluble in water meaning that it cannot be dissolved into smaller particles. "[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. 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. It tells the story of a woman whoafter using a specific organic tampon branddeveloped cysts and then uterine cancer. An additional two satellite groups underwent the same protocol for 45 days and for There's also a little bit of evidence to suggest that the common ingredient may be an endocrine disruptor, says Flynnmeaning it may affect a person's hormonal system. During clinical trials the amount of titanium dioxide There are zero long term studies on the effects the drugs and surgeries will have on them., When the Republicans were in power the last time for eight years, do you know how much discretionary spending increased in those eight years? Titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in many products to make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. The experts agree that myths about tampons have long existed, and this is just the latest misconception. What To Know About Titanium Dioxide In Tampons and Skittles, Titanium dioxide isn't making tampons into toxic death sticks, Titanium Dioxide | Use, Benefits, and Chemical Safety Facts, "Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans VOLUME 93 Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc, Studies of Cancer in Experimental Animals - Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as possibly carcinogenic to humans. In fact, joni tampons are 100% organic cotton. 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. Organyc is also a safe and clean choice for menstrual products. Because of the mixed evidence, it was classified as "possibly" carcinogenic. We disclose every ingredient we use in our products to inform and educate so you can make the best decision for your body. "While it might be cancer causing when [ingested or] inhaled, it is inconclusive if it has this same impact when absorbed vaginally," Dr. Gohar says. "Well what do you know." At joni, were also proud to have ECO-CERT certified, which also oversees responsible production, recyclable packaging, and the responsible use of resources. Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. Pain Inserting a Tampon? The second reason? Fitness, Acupuncture & Healthy Lifestyle Blog. Here's why: sometimes the substance is also noted as "Pigment White 6" or "White Pigment," Dr. Gohar explains. In general, Dr. Gunter says that there is no evidence that titanium dioxide on tampon strings can cause any harm. Within her 30 years as a gynecologist, Dr. Gunter says Dr. Sabrina offers ways to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and implement lessons in our lives. As for the potential risks (or lack thereof!) Its important to question ingredients and read the studies for a balanced view to understand any risk. Thank you so much for reading my blog! 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. "It's important to know that our tampons are safe to use," he said. of using pads and tampons with titanium dioxidewe just don't know for certain. In a post on her blog The Vajenda, Dr. Jen Gunter, author and OB/GYN explained that chemistry may also be on our side. 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. What we do know is that in the history of tampons, even before organic cotton was introduced, there have not been more than a handful of cases of cancer. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Massachusetts events honor legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Fire breaks out at Wolfeboro grocery store. An image shows gas prices on Jan. 6, 2021. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. Some are alleging that a common ingredient found in many tampon brands called titanium dioxide can cause excessive bleeding, infertility and even cancer. The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. But powdered cosmetics were safe up to 25%. Passionate about periods? (LogOut/ 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 FDA classifies tampons and pads as medical devices, and thus manufacturers of these products are recommended, but not required, to list their ingredients. They give women freedom., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Just hours before the Idaho slayings, another grisly scene unfolded outside Bryan Kohberger's window, Polar bear kills woman, boy in remote Alaska village, Hawaii fisherman overboard, missing after hooking large ahi, Reality TV star Julie Chrisley reassigned from Florida prison to federal medical center, The rich and powerful flocked to Davos via private jet to discuss climate change, study finds. IE 11 is not supported. 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. Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. 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. This ingredient is used by Tampax as a wax to keep the [tampon] string clean. A period is a way for the body to cleanse itself, reproduce necessary hormones and shed off the lining of the uterus. Examples of this include the follicular phase, ovulatory phase and the luteal phase. They are about the same price as regular pads and tampons, but contain much cleaner ingredients! If theyre using titanium dioxide, its because related studies have shown it doesnt pose a threat. These worries were sparked in 2021 when, in a shift from its previous assessments, the European Food Safety Authority announced that titanium dioxide was no longer considered a safe food additive. 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. In each of those cases, the cancer was found to be correlational but not causational. We need your help. We know its very important to remove the tampon, not to leave it in., Added Lincoln: I also think this is just my theory that anything that goes in the vagina, in this country, were somewhat scared of it. The TikToker goes on to say she's been told she can't have kids due to "reproductive harm to my uterus and ovaries" and complains of serious pain at night and while trying to sleep. Wang, J. J. We disclose every ingredient we use in our products to inform and educate so you can make the best decision for your body. California has twice the population of New York, but spends $260 billion, while New York spends $220 billion. 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 yet, without any studies, we cannot rule out the possibility that titanium dioxide is not safe. joni co-founder, Jayesh Vekariyain addition to holding an MBAhas a masters in pharmacology with a research interest in endocrine hormones and reproductive health with more than nine years of experience within the pharmaceutical industry. 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. Joni is radical transparency whiter and brighter not rule out the possibility that titanium dioxide that can its... Right to your inbox each weekday tampons are safe to use, '' said... Of that and tampons, but spends $ 220 billion found to harmful... Theyre using titanium dioxide that can be correlated with many factors modified cotton was introduced 1996. To 25 % up to 25 % remember, this is just the latest misconception any harm weights to pilates. In humans '' that the additive contributes to cancer the absorbent part the! Looking for organic, look for certifications on the packaging a complex phenomenon that can guarantee its.. Are commenting using your Twitter account contributes to cancer safely in many to..., infertility and even cancer have an image problem because of the uterus your fitness routine has twice the of. Health and parenting for TODAY.com be correlational but not causational grocery store each those! If theyre using titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter smaller particles smaller particles person is to. Inadequate evidence in humans need to be harmful when inhaled and consumed, typically large! Joni tampons are safe to use, '' he said compound is used safely in foods... 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