tiktok users were outraged this week after a video claimed titanium dioxide in tampons cause
cancer
, and while there’s very little evidence this is true, some researchers say there is also a lack of evidence proving it’s safe.
in the
viral video
with more than 7.9 million views, tiktok user @rachelmorgann__ explained that she recently saw another tiktok video where a woman claims that after using the l. brand tampons she experienced excessive bleeding, ovarian cysts and “irreversible uterine damage.” morgan goes onto claim that one of the ingredients listed on the back of the tampon box, titanium dioxide, causes cancer.
titanium dioxide
(tio
2
) is a biologically inert substance used to create an opaque, white finish to the product it is added to. in canada, food-grade titanium dioxide is
permitted as a food additive
to whiten or brighten foods.
the substance has recently come under scrutiny as the european union evaluated the use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (different from food-grade) and came to the conclusion that there is insufficient evidence that this new form of the substance is safe for humans. as a result, even though the eu noted they could not find any evidence of harm, the committee concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive. after a similar review, health canada came to the opposite conclusion and continues to allow the substance to be used.
titanium dioxide represents less than 0.1 per cent of all ingredients used in the tampon, a spokesperson proctor and gamble, the company which produces the l. brand, told
the skimm
. the fda also confirmed it has not received any reports about titanium dioxide in menstrual products, and requires manufacturers to evaluate the safety of the finished products in a number of ways — including on vaginal bacteria.