Why does Clearya flag titanium dioxide in period products, vaginal hygiene products, and cosmetics? ⚪ Titanium dioxide is commonly used in personal care as a white colorant, as well as a mineral UV filter in sunscreens. We recently updated the information displayed to you when Clearya spots titanium dioxide, aka C.I. 77891, in ingredient lists. ⚪ The research suggests titanium dioxide could be harmful to the reproduction of mice and rats when nano-sized particles are ingested. We are *not* aware of similar effects in humans. However, the weight of evidence on other effects is sufficient to let you know the following, for your consideration. ⚪ Titanium dioxide is prohibited for use as a food additive in Europe from August 2022 because of “uncertainty regarding its safety when ingested”. ⚪ According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) titanium dioxide that includes nanoparticles cannot be considered safe when used as a food additive, because genotoxicity (damage to DNA) cannot be ruled out. How may this be relevant to other uses and exposure routes? 🤔 While EFSA's assessment does not discuss cosmetics or period products, Clearya informs users of this safety *uncertainty*, due to the possibility of exposure via highly absorptive tissues (e.g vaginal products, eye area makeup) or unintended ingestion (lipsticks). ☀️ As for mineral sunscreens: note that when cosmetics are applied to normal skin, scientific studies referenced by the U.S. FDA suggest that titanium dioxide (including nanoparticles) does not penetrate the skin. 👃 Finally, titanium dioxide in the specific form of airborne, unbound particles that can be *inhaled* (such as in some sprays and powders), is known to the State of California to cause cancer, according to the California Environmental Protection Agency, "Proposition 65" law. The answer isn't always clear-cut, but now you have it. Read EFSA assessment for more info 👉 https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6585 #clearya #letsclearya #titaniumdioxide Photo by Josefin on Unsplash