Because of its ability to absorb UV light, it's particularly useful as an ingredient in sunscreens — while its light-scattering properties are great for applications that require white opacity and brightness, such as in paint and paper.

Animal studies show exposure to titanium dioxide is linked to immunotoxicity, inflammation and neurotoxicity. 

JECFA also evaluated estimates of dietary exposure to titanium dioxide, estimating the maximum 95^th percentile of exposure to be 10 mg/kg BW per day. Overall, considering the low oral absorption of titanium dioxide as a food additive, the committee reaffirmed the ADI “not specified” that was established at the 13^th meeting.

In conclusion, wholesale lithopone MSDS quotes play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and responsible use of this important industrial pigment. By considering key factors such as product information, hazard identification, safety measures, emergency procedures, and regulatory compliance, businesses can make informed decisions when sourcing lithopone for their manufacturing processes. Ultimately, prioritizing safety and regulatory compliance is essential for a successful and sustainable industrial supply chain.

Lithopone, a white pigment composed of a mixture of zinc sulfide and barium sulfate, has become an indispensable ingredient in the paint industry. Its unique properties, including excellent opacity, high brightness, and resistance to weathering, make it highly valued among paint manufacturers. As the demand for sustainable and efficient paint products grows, the role of lithopone and its suppliers has become more critical than ever.

Safety[edit]

As for titanium dioxide, the FDA approved titanium dioxide for use as a food additive in 1966. The last time the agency reviewed the additive’s safety, according to the Guardian, was in 1973.

Over the last several years, nanoparticles have come under scrutiny for adverse health effects. Nanoparticles are ultrafine particles between 1 to 100 nanometers in diameter. (To put this in perspective, the average human hair is around 80,000 nanometers thick.) Because of their size, which can be engineered and manipulated at the atomic or molecular level, nanoparticles exhibit unique physical, chemical, and biological properties. Titanium dioxide is one of the most commonly produced nanoparticles in the world.

Micronized titanium dioxide doesn’t penetrate skin so there’s no need to be concerned about it getting into your body. Even when titanium dioxide nanoparticles are used, the molecular size of the substance used to coat the nanoparticles is large enough to prevent them from penetrating beyond the uppermost layers of skin. This means you’re getting the sun protection titanium dioxide provides with no risk of it causing harm to skin or your body. The coating process improves application, enhances sun protection, and prevents the titanium dioxide from interacting with other ingredients in the presence of sunlight, thus enhancing its stability. It not only makes this ingredient much more pleasant to use for sunscreen, but also improves efficacy and eliminates safety concerns. Common examples of ingredients used to coat titanium dioxide are alumina, dimethicone, silica, and trimethoxy capryl silane.

We even use titanium dioxide when brushing our teeth as it’s found in many toothpastes. 

In 2023, the demand for titanium dioxide is expected to reach new heights. One of the main drivers of this growth is the cosmetics and personal care industry. Titanium dioxide is widely used in sunscreens, skin care products and cosmetics for its excellent UV protection properties and ability to provide a smooth surface. With growing awareness of the harmful effects of UV radiation, consumers are increasingly inclined to invest in products with sun protection. This trend is expected to drive the demand for titanium dioxide over the next few years.

However, the market could not sustain these high prices and strived for equilibrium, causing the prices to fall. Further, after the complete removal of restrictions, the factories churned out products at a much faster pace than the market offtakes. Hence, the manufacturers reduced their quotations to maintain positive product movement in the market. The spot prices of titanium dioxide averaged around 2264 USD/MT in June’23 in the Chinese market.

In the same year (2019), the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) also delivered an opinion on possible health effects of food additive titanium dioxide, which highlighted the importance of examining immunotoxicological effects in addition to potential reprotoxicological effects.

Recent analyses of food-grade TiO₂ samples have found that a significant portion of particles may be within the nanoscale. These particles (also known as nanoparticles) range in size from 1 to 100 nm, where 1 nm equals 1 billionth of a metre (the width of a typical human hair is 80,000 to 100,000 nm).