Among the raw materials for coating production, titanium dioxide is more ideal, followed by lithopone. The covering power of lithopone is only that of titanium dioxide, and the price of lithopone is much lower than that of titanium dioxide, so lithopone still occupies a large market share.

For a mini-review published in the journal Particle and Fibre Technology in 2021, scientists wanted to evaluate whether Ti02 particles contributed to the development and/or exacerbation of irritable bowel disease, and whether they altered the four elements of intestinal barrier function: the intestinal microbiota, the immune system, the mucus layer, and the epithelium. The breakdown of these four elements can contribute to autoimmune, neurological, inflammatory, infectious, and metabolic diseases. Following their review, the researchers concluded: “Data indicate that TiO2 is able to alter the four compartments of IBF and to induce a low-grade intestinal inflammation associated or not with pre-neoplastic lesions.” 

Lithopone has therefore traditionally been used in stoppers and putties, jointing compounds and sealing compounds, primers and undercoats and in road-marking paints.