Zhu et al. were the first to provide evidence that TiO₂ NPs (21 nm) can transfer from daphnia to zebrafish by dietary exposure. Hence, dietary intake could be a major route of exposure to NPs for high trophic level aquatic organisms. Ecological research should therefore focus, not only on the concentration of NPs in the environment, but also on its bioconcentration, bioaccumulation and biomagnification. In addition it has been shown that TiO₂ NPs can increase accumulation of other environmental toxicants: enhanced accumulation of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) was found in carp in the presence of TiO₂ NPs. The strong adsorption capacity for Cd and As was explained by the large specific surface area and strong electrostatic attraction of TiO₂ NPs that contribute to facilitated transport into different organs.

What other candies and food contain titanium dioxide?

White crystalline powder. It is a mixture of zinc sulfide and barium sulfate. The more zinc sulfide it contains, the stronger the hiding power and the higher the quality. Density 4.136～4.34 g/cm3, insoluble in water. It easily decomposes when exposed to acid to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, but does not work when exposed to hydrogen sulfide and alkaline solutions. It turns into light gray after being exposed to ultraviolet rays in the sun for 6 to 7 hours, but it still returns to its original color when placed in a dark place. It is easy to oxidize in the air and will agglomerate and deteriorate when exposed to moisture.

I don't see the scientific evidence in the literature that would cause people any concern, said Kaminski.

Titanium dioxide is one of the most widely used white pigments, often used to add whiteness and brightness to products. It is used in the production of paints, coatings, plastics and other products to provide a white color or opacity.

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is considered as an inert and safe material and has been used in many applications for decades. However, with the development of nanotechnologies TiO₂ nanoparticles, with numerous novel and useful properties, are increasingly manufactured and used. Therefore increased human and environmental exposure can be expected, which has put TiO₂ nanoparticles under toxicological scrutiny. Mechanistic toxicological studies show that TiO₂ nanoparticles predominantly cause adverse effects via induction of oxidative stress resulting in cell damage, genotoxicity, inflammation, immune response etc. The extent and type of damage strongly depends on physical and chemical characteristics of TiO₂ nanoparticles, which govern their bioavailability and reactivity. Based on the experimental evidence from animal inhalation studies TiO₂ nanoparticles are classified as “possible carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as occupational carcinogen by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The studies on dermal exposure to TiO₂ nanoparticles, which is in humans substantial through the use of sunscreens, generally indicate negligible transdermal penetration; however data are needed on long-term exposure and potential adverse effects of photo-oxidation products. Although TiO₂ is permitted as an additive (E171) in food and pharmaceutical products we do not have reliable data on its absorption, distribution, excretion and toxicity on oral exposure. TiO₂ may also enter environment, and while it exerts low acute toxicity to aquatic organisms, upon long-term exposure it induces a range of sub-lethal effects.

In summary, the Food Directorate's position is that there is no conclusive scientific evidence that the food additive TiO₂ is a concern for human health. This is based on a review of the available scientific data relevant to food uses of TiO₂. However, we will continue to monitor the emerging science on the safety of TiO₂ as a food additive and may revisit our position if new scientific information becomes available.

Health Canada's Food Directorate recently completed a “state of the science” report on titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as a food additive. Food-grade TiO₂ is a white powder made up of small particles that has been permitted in Canada and internationally for many years as a food additive to whiten or brighten foods. Food-grade TiO₂ has long been considered safe in Canada and in other countries when eaten as part of the diet.

At the same time, the company took the lead in building a product application testing system in the industry, and formed a relatively complete product application testing system. Among them, the hue of blue-phase R838 titanium dioxide reaches the world-class level. The gloss of R838 titanium dioxide, a silicon-aluminum coated product, has surpassed other domestic silicon-aluminum coated products, and reached or even exceeded some domestic zirconium-aluminum products. Titanium dioxide for color masterbatch is recognized by customers for its high whiteness, high coverage and other indicators, the product market share has been greatly increased, and it enjoys high brand awareness and reputation at home and abroad.

In the context of titanium dioxide determination, the process generally begins with the sample preparation, where a known mass of the sample containing TiO2 is dissolved or digested appropriately. The subsequent steps involve adding a precipitating agent, such as ammonium sulfate or sulfuric acid, to the prepared solution, which facilitates the formation of a titanium precipitate. This precipitate is often titanium hydroxide, which is not only insoluble but can be easily filtered out from the liquid phase.

Australian researchers examined how titanium dioxide as a food additive affected gut microbiota in mice by orally administering it in drinking water. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition in 2019, found the treatment could “alter the release of bacterial metabolites in vivo and affect the spatial distribution of commensal bacteria in vitro by promoting biofilm formation. We also found reduced expression of the colonic mucin 2 gene, a key component of the intestinal mucus layer, and increased expression of the beta defensin gene, indicating that titanium dioxide significantly impacts gut homeostasis.” The changes were then linked to colonic inflammation, along with a higher expression of inflammatory cytokines, which are signal proteins that help with regulation. The researchers concluded that titanium dioxide “impairs gut homeostasis which may in turn prime the host for disease development.”

Résumé–Cet article traite de la découverte de lithopone phosphorescent sur des dessins à l'aquarelle, datés entre 1890 et 1905, de l'artiste Américain John La Farge et de l'histoire du lithopone dans l'industrie des pigments à la fin du 19e et au début du 20e siècle. Malgré de nombreuses qualités souhaitables pour une utilisation en tant que blanc dans les aquarelles et les peintures à l'huile, le développement du lithopone comme pigment pour artistes a été compliqué de par sa tendance à noircir lorsqu'il est exposé au soleil. Sa disponibilité et son usage par les artistes demeurent incertains parce que les catalogues des marchands de couleurs n'étaient généralement pas explicites à indiquer si les pigments blancs contenaient du lithopone. De plus, lors d'un examen visuel, le lithopone peut être confondu avec le blanc de plomb et sa phosphorescence de courte durée peut facilement être ignorée par l'observateur non averti. À ce jour, le lithopone phosphorescent a seulement été documenté sur une autre œuvre: une aquarelle de Van Gogh. En plus de l'histoire de la fabrication du lithopone, cet article décrit le mécanisme de sa phosphorescence et son identification à l'aide de la spectroscopie Raman et de la spectrofluorimétrie.

Ultimately, most experts advise moderation, as titanium dioxide is typically found in processed foods that come with their own health risks.

The National Cancer Institute tested TiO₂ for possible carcinogenicity by the oral route of exposure by feeding rats and mice with TiO₂ (size not specified) at doses 25,000 or 50,000 ppm TiO₂ for 103 weeks. They concluded that TiO₂ was not carcinogenic.Also, the study with rats fed diets containing up to 5 % TiO₂ coated mica for 130 weeks showed no treatment-related carcinogenicity. Since the size and other TiO₂ properties were not specified or determined, we cannot generalize this conclusion and we have to take into account other possible outcomes of this scenario in different exposure conditions (other size/crystalline structure of TiO₂ etc.).

Promotion of obesity-related metabolic disorders