Including how tampons affect vaginal bacteria. It neutralizes smell as well. 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. Gunter also added that when products like titanium dioxide are put on fabric, the point is to have them stay on the fabric. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. 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. Titanium dioxide exposure would not be on that list. 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. 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. But first. Tens of thousands of users have flooded the comments many claiming to have had similar experiences. 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. According to the company, TiO2 represents less than 0.1% of all the ingredients they use to manufacture their tampons. But Im a stay at home mom with no income. 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. Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure . 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. 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]. According to the suit, 80 percent of the tampons' ingredients are "not cotton," and 60 percent of the ingredients are "not organic," as . But what does it mean for tampons, pads, and reproductive health overall? Could you explain as to why this happened to me? 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. 4.7 out of 5 stars. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. It became the first state in the nation to do so. The 12-page complaint says that despite the front-label promise that the tampons are entirely organic, they contain the non-organic ingredients polyester, glycerin, paraffin and titanium dioxide . It's used in sunscreen, toothpaste, some food, and it is used to whiten the string of tampons. Stressing itll rupture or cause my ovary to twist while my husband is hours away. Heres What Your Bodys Trying to Tell You, National Library of Medicine: Titanium dioxide, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Questions and Answers: FDA posts deemed final order and proposed order for over-the-counter sunscreen, European Food Safety Authority: Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, New Jersey Department of Health: Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Titanium Dioxide, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: Impact of Food Additive Titanium Dioxide on Gut Microbiota Composition, Microbiota-Associated Functions, and Gut Barrier: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Animal Studies. "Best product ever," raved one customer. Walmart customers love these super plus organic cotton tampons from Lola so much, they have given them an impressive 4.3-star rating. 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. She stressed that its important to remember that correlation in this case does not equal causation. Titanium dioxide is common chemical. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. }(document, 'script', 'advocacy-actionwidget-code')); Womens Voices for the Earth This is L. tampons are labeled as being made with organic cotton, and the company's marketing promises a simple product: "Only the ingredients you need for the confidence, comfort, and protection you . Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. I found a TikTok talking about L Organic Tampons and how they have titanium dioxide in them for coloring. Including. PO Box 8743 "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. I used this exact brand. None. I wear zero makeup. For more details, see our Privacy Policy. Theres been a lot of alarmist concern, she said. "They're organic, and I love how compact they are! Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. The 2023 Complete Python Certification Bootcamp Bundle, Mourning the Loss of Addison Raes Debut Album | The Meme Machine. A recent TikTok video went viral with the false claim that the titanium dioxide used in L. brand organic tampons is responsible for miscarriages, cancer and a host of other medical problems.. 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. According to the brand, these organic O.b. And that's a really good thing to drive science [and] safer products. The FDA discourages the use of reusable tampons. These videos were chemophobia, Gunter declared, and fear mongering. Everyone deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment. All rights reserved. But if we are exposed to these same substances via a different route than how they are intended, or at a higher dose, they can be toxic. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Subscribe to receive Consumer Updates email notifications. "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.". 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 she-quel and creator of URJA Intimates skincare products for the vulva and vagina. As for the potential risks (or lack thereof!) Media inquiries? Get it daily. National Library of Medicines list 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. They are in your food, your clothes, your makeup, and skincare products just to name a few of your daily exposures. So we talked to gynecologists to get the scoop on everything you need to know about organic tampons. 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. Likely in your daily life, you have much more significant exposures to this class of chemicals. And many of these chemicals have been associated with contributing to cancer and other medical problems. Mostly organic produce. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. This is what manufacturers need to know that people are reading these things and asking these questions.. Titanium dioxide is common chemical. According to the brand, the tampons feature a unique design that keeps "fluids locked in the core for added security. Just bear in mind: If you have any specific health concerns to weigh, it's critical to reach out to your gynecologist or primary care physician to make the right choice for you. With 8 million views, this instance shows the impact of a TikTokdespite the actual evidence to the contrary. 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. 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? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (function(d, s, id) { No tampon should be used more than once. $17.50 ($0.24/Count) Sold by Utopia Distributors and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. Is this just a big conspiracy someone is trying to push? I think seeking solace and guidance from your physician is key because they may also help clarify [and] help with any anxieties that all this information can provoke., Plan for the future: Scranton encourages people to make calls, send emails, and write reviews to the companies or lawmakers in your life. 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. 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. The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK. Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. ", 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. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. At TOTM, we can confirm that we do not use titanium dioxide at any stage of our . TiO2 was nevertheless banned as a food additive in the EU as of this month. As Dr. Eyvazzadeh points out, we just don't know either wayno matter how certain Becky on TikTok seems. Theres also period underwear. This means that farmers could use this herbicide to kill the weeds in their fields without worrying about it harming the cotton crops. While paying $300 a month for health insurance. Wallace told Gizmodo in an email that anecdotal stories like the one in Morgans TikTok go viral all the time because they are sensational and get a lot of shares and comments. But this amount varies by product. 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. I wouldn't raise the alarm. While animal studies give us important information, they cannot be directly generalized to people, Marino said. Ease and comfort all around! 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. our process. Chemistry class was a long time ago. Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. How well do you know the ingredients in the foods you eat or products you use every day? What's great is that people are asking these questions, Scranton said. Inhaling titanium dioxide may also result in adverse respiratory reactions, Dr. Gohar says. 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. ", One shopper wrote, "I used to use Tampax, but things changed as I got older and I needed something more absorbent and more comfortable. While experts agree more studies need to be done on titanium dioxides potential impact on reproductive health, one person's video is motivating millions of people to take control of their health and question what they consume every day. Information reported to MedWatch helps the FDA to ensure tampons remain safe and effective. 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. Sunscreen can safely contain up to 25% titanium dioxide. Glyphosateis from a class of chemicals known as endocrine disrupters. But this amount varies by product. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring. Other videos on TikTok pointed out that Mars, Inc. is currently being sued for not disclosing that Skittles contained titanium dioxide. As the name suggests, these tampons are, indeed, organic, made of cotton and free of synthetic ingredientszero chemicals, fragrances or dyes involved. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the Inhaling titanium dioxide while you're painting a room or working on a construction site, for example, may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. But we [also] don't have the data to support, Don't worry about this. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx. "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.