Lithopone powder, chemically known as zinc sulfide/zinc oxide, is a white pigment produced through a precipitation process involving zinc sulfate and barium sulfate. It is characterized by its high refractive index, excellent hiding power, and resistance to UV radiation, making it an ideal choice for various applications.
In terms of titanium concentrate, the market in the Panxi region was quite stable in the first few weeks of the month. The overall state of the titanium ore market was satisfactory, and the price remained stable. The price of 38-grade titanium ore without tax was approximately 1,500-1,530 RMB/MT as of the 13th of January, while it was 2,220-2,260 RMB/MT for 46-grade titanium ore and 2,500-2,550 RMB/MT for 47-grade titanium ore.
Infrared analysis showed that the characteristics bands for the bare nanoparticles are still exhibited in the vitamins@P25TiO2NPs spectra, such as a wide peak in 450–1028 cm−1 related to the stretching vibration of Ti-O-Ti and other peaks in 1630 cm−1 and 3400 cm−1, which represent the surface OH groups stretching. The IR spectrum of vitaminB2@P25TiO2NPs showed signs of binding between compounds. The OH bending peak (1634 cm−1) corresponding to bare nanoparticles disappeared, and the NH2 bending band characteristic of vitamin B2 appeared (1650 cm−1). The IR spectrum of vitaminC@P25TiO2NPs also showed signs of successful functionalization. Bands at 1075 cm−1; 1120 cm−1; 1141 cm−1 were observed, which are originated by C
O-C vibrations present in the vitamin C. The intense band at 1672 cm−1 is attributed to the C = O stretching in the lactone ring while the peak at 1026 cm−1 is ascribed to the stretching vibration Ti-O-C. Wide bands at 3880–3600 cm−1 are related to stretching vibration OH groups, but those disappear in the modified nanoparticles spectrum. These observations confirm the interactions between the P25TiO2NPs and the vitamins [35].
On November 23, 2022, the General Court of the European Union reversed the conclusion that titanium dioxide was carcinogenic and released a statement (1,2):
“First, the Commission made a manifest error in its assessment of the reliability and acceptability of the study on which the classification was based and, second, it infringed the criterion according to which that classification can relate only to a substance that has the intrinsic property to cause cancer.”
As part of our mission at CRIS we base our safety assessments on the currently available scientific evidence and consider many variables (e.g., study quality, journal of publication, etc.), even if it goes against previous conclusions. Evidence-informed decisions making is critical to ensure that the laws and regulations put into place are for the benefit of the population.
The EU General Court maintains that the scientific evidence presented wasn’t the complete picture for the ingredient, “in the present case, the requirement to base the classification of a carcinogenic substance on reliable and acceptable studies was not satisfied.”
Lithopone was discovered in the 1870s by DuPont. It was manufactured by Krebs Pigments and Chemical Company and other companies.[2] The material came in different seals, which varied in the content of zinc sulfide. Gold seal and Bronze seals contain 40-50% zinc sulfide, offering more hiding power and strength.[3] Although its popularity peaked around 1920, approximately 223,352 tons were produced in 1990. It is mainly used in paints, putty, and in plastics.[1]