Titanium dioxide is a white food coloring agent often used in bakery decorations, soups, broths, sauces, spreads, creamers, candy, and chewing gum.

We’re most often exposed to E171 through the foods we ingest. We find E171 in many food products, like popsicles, ice cream, gum, and more. Another way we ingest E171 is through pharmaceutical drugs. Many pills and capsules contain E171 as an inactive ingredient.  

Below are selected applications of photocatalytic pollutant decomposition processes on titanium oxide:
1. Self-cleaning surfaces: for the production of glass for spotlights, traffic lights, car mirrors, window panes, for road paints, for covering sound-absorbing screens and tunnel walls.
2. Air cleaning and odor removal: filters that are used in enclosed spaces (e.g. public toilets) or filters for air-conditioning equipment.
3. Water treatment: groundwater treatment installations, water purification installations in the intakes of drinking water from rivers.
4. Self-disinfecting materials: towels, linings, clothing, equipment in hospitals, wall surfaces of operating rooms.
5. Removal of lesions: anti-cancer therapy.