In short, no, research demonstrates that E171 is safe when consumed in normal situations.
Moreover, how we're exposed to an ingredient matters significantly in terms of our health and potential toxicity.
Research shows that inhaling titanium dioxide particles in significant quantities over time can cause adverse health outcomes. Unless you work in an industrial setting, inhaling substantial amounts of titanium dioxide is highly unlikely.
Research supports that applying titanium dioxide to the skin in the form of sunscreens, makeup, and other topical products does not pose a health risk.
Overwhelmingly, research that's relevant to human exposure shows us that E171 is safe when ingested normally through foods and drugs (1,2).
Again, other research suggests that E171 could cause harm; however, those research processes did not design their studies to model how people are exposed to E171. Research that adds E171 to drinking water, utilizes direct injections, or gives research animals E171 through a feeding apparatus is not replicating typical human exposure, which occurs through food and medicine consumption.
Read more in-depth about the titanium dioxide risk at go.msu.edu/8Dp5.
Lithopone(CAS NO.1345-05-7) is manufactured by a process in which barium sulfide solution is prepared by reducing barite ore (BaSO4) with carbon and leaching the resulting mass.
It's also worth noting that even prior to the EU decision, France had already outlawed titanium dioxide in food back in January 2020.
The rutile structure of our TiO2 powder is renowned for its exceptional optical properties and high refractive index, making it indispensable in applications where concealment or enhancement of other colors is desired. It is these characteristics that transform our TiO2 into an essential component within the broader industry. The demand for titanium dioxide has been steadily increasing over the years, driven by the growing demand for paints, coatings, plastics, and other products that require this versatile compound. As a result, the titanium dioxide manufacturing industry has been expanding rapidly, with many companies investing in new production facilities and technologies to meet the growing demand.Titanium dioxide is one of the many oxides formed naturally in our environment. Manufacturers source this mined mineral from rutile, brookite, and anatase. It is then processed and refined to meet stringent safety guidelines based on the end-use for the mineral.
The impact of China's dominance in TiO2 production on the global market is significant. The country's low-cost production has led to a global oversupply of TiO2, putting pressure on prices and affecting the profitability of manufacturers worldwide. However, this has also created opportunities for collaboration and innovation, as companies look for ways to differentiate themselves in the highly competitive market.According to the EFSA's Expert Panel on Food Additives and Flavorings 2021 opinion regarding titanium dioxide, it could not rule out a concern for genotoxicity from ingestion of the material based on a perceived gap in data on this risk, which serves as the basis for current ban, said a March report on the decision.
Inhaling high concentrations of titanium dioxide dust or fumes, which may occur in occupational settings — such as in the production or processing of products containing the mineral — may cause respiratory problems like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, in addition to eye and skin irritation.
In the application of lithopone in ink industry, lithopone has fine particles, loose structure, good fineness and good paint adhesion, so it can be well combined with other colors in the composition of ink.
It turns into light gray after being exposed to ultraviolet rays in sunlight for 6 to 7 hours, but it will return to its original color when placed in a dark place. It is easy to oxidize in the air and then agglomerate and deteriorate when exposed to moisture.
A 2012 study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology noted that children are especially exposed to titanium dioxide because of the food that contains the food additive and is particularly marketed to children, including candy and cakes.
Fortunately, there are several manufacturers that have established themselves as leaders in the titanium dioxide industry. These top manufacturers have earned a reputation for producing high-quality products that meet the stringent requirements of their customers. They have invested in cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art facilities to ensure that their products are of the highest quality.In vitro, in the hemocytes of the marine mussel Mytilus hemocytes, suspension of TiO2 NPs (Degussa P25, 10 μg/ml) stimulated immune and inflammatory responses, such as lysozyme release, oxidative burst and nitric oxide production. Vevers and Jha demonstrated the intrinsic genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of TiO2 NPs on a fish-cell line derived from rainbow-trout gonadal tissue (RTG-2 cells) after 24 h of exposure to 50 μg/ml. Reeves et al. demonstrated a significant increase in the level of oxidative DNA damage in goldfish cells, and suggested that damage could not repaired by DNA repair mechanisms. Another suggestion from the mentioned study was that hydroxyl radicals are generated also in the absence of UV light. It has been shown that fish cells are generally more susceptible to toxic/oxidative injury than mammalian cells.