0.8%Max

Available studies in humans and postmortem analysis of tissues suggested that the oral bioavailability of titanium dioxide in humans is very low. JECFA noted that there are currently no epidemiological studies that allow any conclusions to be drawn with respect to an association between dietary exposure titanium dioxide and human health effects.

Titanium dioxide is the most widely used whitening pigment in the world and has been linked to adverse health effects, particularly genotoxicity and intestinal inflammation. It is applied as food coloring and a whitening agent to a wide variety of foods, including chewing gum, cakes, candies, breads and ice cream. 

Application of lithopone in rubber and plastics application of lithopone in plastics and pigments lithopone can whiten and improve the compressive strength of products. Lithopone is easy to disperse rapidly, and thus the production process of this product is convenient, especially the molding, injection molding and actual operation process. It is worth mentioning that, with its organic chemical plasticity, it can also be integrated into the vulcanized rubber effect of recycled rubber.

No. EFSA’s role was limited to evaluating the risks linked to titanium dioxide as a food additive. This included an assessment of relevant scientific information on TiO₂, its potential toxicity, and estimates of human dietary exposure. Any legislative or regulatory decisions on the authorisations of food additives are the responsibility of the risk managers (i.e. European Commission and Member States).

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.”

In a study published in the journal Toxicology, researchers examined the effects of exposing human colon cancer cell line (HTC116) titanium dioxide food additives in vitro. “In the absence of cytotoxicity, E171 was accumulated in the cells after 24 hours of exposure, increasing granularity and reactive oxygen species, inducing alterations in the molecular pattern of nucleic acids and lipids, and causing nuclei enlargement, DNA damage and tubulin depolymerization,” the scientists wrote. Researchers removed the additive from the culture, then examined the results 48 hours later. They found, “The removal of E171 was unable to revert the alterations found after 24 h of exposure in colon cells. In conclusion, exposure to E171 causes alterations that cannot be reverted after 48 h if E171 is removed from colon cells.”

Likewise, the plastics industry relies heavily on titanium dioxide to enhance the appearance and durability of plastic products. With the increasing popularity of plastic packaging and consumer goods, the demand for titanium dioxide in this industry is expected to witness steady growth in the coming years. The versatility of titanium dioxide makes it a valuable additive to improve the brightness, opacity and color stability of plastic materials, ensuring improved product performance and consumer satisfaction.

It offers several advantages in various applications. Its excellent opacity and brightness make it a popular choice in the production of paints, coatings, and printing inks, providing a cost-effective alternative to titanium dioxide. Lithopone's chemical stability enhances its durability in outdoor environments, making it suitable for outdoor coatings. Additionally, its low reactivity and compatibility with other pigments contribute to its versatility. Beyond coatings, lithopone finds utility in plastics, rubber, and paper industries. Overall, its multifaceted advantages and broad applications underscore this compound's significance in diverse industrial sectors.

Titanium can sometimes be detected by metal detectors. Whether a particular metal detector can detect titanium depends on the sensitivity and discrimination factors of that metal detector.

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. En este artículo se discute el descubrimiento del litopón fosforescente en dibujos a la acuarela por el artista americano John La Farge, fechados de 1890 a 1905, y la historia del litopón en la industria de los pigmentos a finales del Siglo XIX y principios del Siglo XX. A pesar de tener muchas cualidades deseables para su uso en pintura para acuarela o pinturas al óleo blancas, el desarrollo del litopón como pigmento para artistas fue obstaculizado por su tendencia a oscurecerse con la luz solar. Su disponibilidad para los artistas y su adopción por ellos sigue siendo poco clara, ya que por lo general los catálogos comerciales de los coloristas no eran explícitos al describir si los pigmentos blancos contenían litopón. Además, el litopón se puede confundir con blanco de plomo durante el examen visual, y su fosforescencia de corta duración puede ser fácilmente pasada por alto por el observador desinformado. A la fecha, el litopón fosforescente ha sido documentado solamente en otra obra mas: una acuarela por Van Gogh. Además de la historia de la fabricación del litopón, el artículo detalla el mecanismo para su fosforescencia, y su identificación con la ayuda de espectroscopía de Raman, y de espectrofluorimetría. Este artigo discute a descoberta de litopônio fosforescente em desenhos de aquarela do artista americano John La Farge datados de entre 1890 e 1905 e a história do litopônio na indústria de pigmento no final do século XIX e início do século XX. Apesar de ter muitas qualidades desejáveis para o uso em aquarela branca ou tintas a óleo, o desenvolvimento do litopônio como um pigmento de artistas foi prejudicado por sua tendência a se escurecer na luz solar. Sua disponibilidade para e uso por parte de artistas ainda não está clara, uma vez que os catálogos comerciais dos vendedores de tintas geralmente não eram explícitos na descrição de pigmentos brancos como algo que contém litopônio. Além disso, o litopônio pode ser confundido com o branco de chumbo durante o exame visual e sua fosforescência de curta duração pode ser facilmente perdida pelo observador desinformado. O litopônio fosforescente foi documentado em apenas um outro trabalho até hoje: uma aquarela de Van Gogh. Além da história da manufatura do litopônio, o artigo detalha o mecanismo para a sua fosforescência e sua identificação auxiliada pela espectroscopia de Raman e espectrofluorimetria.

Of the products that include the additive in their labels, Thea Bourianne, senior manager at data consultant Label Insights, told Food Navigator USA in May 2021 that more than 11,000 products in the company's database of U.S. food and beverage products listed titanium dioxide as an ingredient. Non-chocolate candy led those numbers at 32%. Cupcakes and snack cakes made up 14%, followed by cookies at 8%, coated pretzels and trail mix at 7%, baking decorations at 6%, gum and mints at 4% and ice cream at 2%.

Genotoxicity refers to the ability of a chemical substance to damage DNA , the genetic material of cells. As genotoxicity may lead to carcinogenic effects, it is essential to assess the potential genotoxic effect of a substance to conclude on its safety.  

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.

When asked about the recent Skittles lawsuit, the FDA said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

Lithopone can also be used as raw material of putty to fill gaps; Adding 20% lithopone to the concrete to make artificial quartz without harming its light resistance and solidification; It can improve the impact resistance and electrical performance when used in fire safety polyester chemicals; These are the raw materials of audio vinyl records used for turbojet engine dye and thermal insulation coating and insulating layer.

Gravimetric analysis is a method of quantitative chemical analysis in which a substance is converted into a stable compound of known composition, and the mass of this compound is then measured. This technique offers a high level of precision and is particularly useful in determining the concentration of materials within complex mixtures. The gravimetric determination of titanium dioxide typically involves a series of well-defined steps, which include precipitation, filtration, washing, drying, and weighing.

Titanium dioxide is added to some food packaging to preserve the shelf life of a product.