Zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is a popular cross-linking agent for rubber and for various resins. It is essential in the formulation of solvent-borne polychloroprene adhesives. Furthermore, zinc oxide is a good UV stabilizer, has biocidal activity and has a relatively high refractive index (2.0) which makes it an efficient white pigment. Some typical properties are: density 5.6 g/cm³; particle size 0.036-3 μm; oil absorption 10–20 g/100 g; specific surface area 10–45 m²/g. Zinc oxide is produced by reaction of the metal in the vapour state with oxygen. Zinc oxide is nonporous and is quite pure. Thus, the high surface area of some grades is due to the small particle size of zinc oxide. Some grades, especially for use in the rubber industry, are surface modified by deposition of 0.2-0.4% of stearic acid, propionic acid, or light oil [47].

pH-value

In response to the allegations, Justin Comes, vice president of research and development at Mars Wrigley North America, told Health that safety is of paramount importance to Mars Wrigley. While we do not comment on pending litigation, all Mars Wrigley ingredients are safe and manufactured in compliance with strict quality and safety requirements established by food safety regulators, including the FDA.

The brands of lithopone of the normal class, that of chemical manufacture, are marketed under such names as Ponolith, Beckton White, Jersey Lily White, Oleum White, Zinc Sulphide White, all of these being of domestic manufacture, and their composition is of the 30 per cent. zinc sulphide type. The German manufacturers and exporters of lithopone make use of fancy names for their brands and here are a few examples of these and the composition of the pigment:-

But in the U.S., titanium dioxide is found all over the grocery shelves. Candy like Skittles, Starbursts, and Jell-O, gum like Trident White peppermint gum and Mentos Freshmint Gum, cake products like Duncan Hines Creamy Vanilla Frosting, and Nabisco Chips Ahoy! cookies are just a few of the myriad food items that contain the additive.

For the production of titanium dioxide, the raw material of coatings, China coating Industry Association visited the production enterprises of titanium dioxide. During the visit, we found that Hebei Caixin Material Technology Co., LTD. (hereinafter referred to as Caiqing Technology) has done a lot of work in creating a green ecological industry in titanium dioxide production, and has achieved outstanding results.

A 2023 study published in the journal Particle and Fibre Toxicology set out to examine the impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in mice “on the course and prognosis of ulcerative colitis,” by creating an ulcerative colitis disease model. Researchers found that the titanium dioxide nanoparticles significantly increased the severity of colitis. They also “decreased the body weight, increased the disease activity index and colonic mucosa damage index scores, shortened the colonic length, increased the inflammatory infiltration in the colon.” Researchers concluded: “Oral intake of TiO2 nanoparticles could affect the course of acute colitis in exacerbating the development of ulcerative colitis, prolonging the ulcerative colitis course and inhibiting ulcerative colitis recovery.”

Titanium dioxide is an inert earth mineral used as a thickening, opacifying, and sunscreen ingredient in cosmetics. It protects skin from UVA and UVB radiation and is considered non-risky in terms of of skin sensitivity. Because it is gentle, titanium dioxide is a great sunscreen active for sensitive, redness-prone skin. It’s great for use around the eyes, as it is highly unlikely to cause stinging.

Calcium carbonate is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in rocks and minerals such as calcite, aragonite, and limestone. It is commonly used in industries such as paint, paper, plastics, and rubber as a filler and pigment. The manufacturing process of calcium carbonate involves extracting the mineral from quarries or mines, crushing and grinding it into a fine powder, and then purifying it through various chemical processes.

Separately, concerns have been raised about titanium dioxide impacting one's genetic code. This can be traced to a 2009 study which found that titanium dioxide nanoparticles caused DNA damage and genetic instability in mice. A 2022 study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology also raised concerns about the DNA-damaging effects of titanium dioxide as a food additive. The study noted that results evidenced a DNA-damaging effect, and added that there may also be impacts to chromosomal integrity, an indicator of cancer risk.

Going Public

In a review published in 2022 in the journal Archives of Toxicology, researchers found that the ingestion of E171 is a “a definite health risk for consumers and their progeny.” After reviewing dozens of in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro studies on the toxicity of E171, the researchers wrote that two facts must be noted: “First, reprotoxicity studies show that animals of both sexes are impacted by the toxicity of these nanoparticles, underlining the importance of conducting in vivo studies using both male and female animals. Second, human exposure begins in utero via maternal-fetal transfer and continues after birth by breastfeeding. Children are then chronically re-exposed due to their food preferences. To be relevant to the human in vivo situation, experimental studies should therefore consider nanoparticle exposure with respect to the age or life period of the studied population.”