Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have also been found in human placentae and in infant meconium, indicating its ability to be transferred from mother to fetus.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that titanium oxide should not be considered safe as a food additive, due to uncertainties about possible inflammation and neurotoxicity (9Trusted Source).
When combined with other materials, TiO2 forms a photoactive layer that absorbs sunlight and generates electricity When combined with other materials, TiO2 forms a photoactive layer that absorbs sunlight and generates electricitytio2. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change.Fig. 3. Cell survival measured on samples of MSSA with bare and functionalized P25TiO2NPs after 6 h of irradiation. A: P25TiO2NPs, B:vitaminB2@P25TiO2NPs, C: vitaminC@P25TiO2NPs in concentrations of 0.2 μg/mL (red) and 0.2 mg/mL (blue). p <0.05.
Food additive or carcinogen? The growing list of chemicals banned in EU but used in US, by Mikaela Conley, The Guardian, June 23, 2022
In 2019, EFSA published a statement on the review of the risk related to the exposure to food additive titanium dioxide (E171) performed by the French Agency for Food, Environment and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES). In its statement, EFSA highlighted that the ANSES opinion reiterated the uncertainties and data gaps previously identified by EFSA and did not present findings that invalidated the Authority’s previous conclusions on the safety of titanium dioxide.
The major applications studied in the report include paints & coatings, plastics, printing inks, paper & pulps, rubber, leather, linoleum, and others. Region-wise, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. Presently, Asia-Pacific accounts for the largest share of the market, followed by North America and Europe.
Titanium dioxide has been used as a bleaching and opacifying agent in porcelain enamels, giving them brightness, hardness, and acid resistance. In modern times it is used in cosmetics, such as in skin care products and sunscreen lotions, with claims that titanium dioxide protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation because of its property to absorb ultraviolet light.