No acute effects of nano-sized TiO2 were observed in Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos. Exposure of rainbow trout to TiO2 NPs triggered lipid peroxidation, influence on the respiratory tract, disturbance in the metabolism of Cu and Zn, induction of intestinal erosion and accumulation in kidney tissue. Linhua et al. exposed juvenile carp to 100 and 200 mg/ml of particles and TiO2 observed no mortality. However, the fish suffered from oxidative stress and pathological changes in gill and liver. In the infaunal species Arenicola marina, exposure to TiO2 NPs in sediment caused sub-lethal effects including decrease in casting rate and increase in cellular and DNA damage. Aggregated particles were visible in the lumen of the gut, but no uptake through the gut or the skin was observed.
The most significant uncertainty identified by the EU experts was the concern that TiO2 particles may have genotoxic effects. Genotoxicity refers to the ability of a chemical to directly damage genetic material within a cell (DNA), which may lead to cancer in certain situations. Although the experts did not conclude that TiO2 particles in E171 are genotoxic, they could not rule out the concern that they might be.
The Journal of the American Institute for Conservation (JAIC) is an international peer-reviewed periodical for the art conservation profession. The Journal publishes articles on treatment case studies, current issues, materials research, and technical analyses relating to the conservation and preservation of historic and cultural works. The topics encompass a broad range of specialties including architectural materials, archeological objects, books and paper, ethnographic materials, objects, paintings, photographic materials, sculpture, and wooden artifacts. Started as the Bulletin of the International Institute for Conservation-American Group (IIC-AG), in April 1961, the Journal matured into its current form in 1977. Since that time JAIC has become a repository for the core body of conservation information through its documentation of new materials, changing methods, and developing standards in the conservation profession. The four-color publication is distributed three times a year to AIC members and museum, library, and university subscribers.