synthetic titanium dioxide

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.”

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One of the primary functions of titanium dioxide in plastic manufacturing is its ability to act as a potent ultraviolet (UV) light absorber. By incorporating TiO2 into plastic formulations, manufacturers can create materials that resist discoloration and degradation caused by exposure to sunlight and other sources of UV radiation. This not only extends the lifespan of the final product but also maintains its aesthetic appeal over time, making it especially valuable for outdoor applications such as gardening tools, outdoor furniture, and automotive parts.

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