Moreover, lithopone suppliers are expanding their product lines to offer variations of the pigment that meet specific market needs. Some suppliers provide specialized grades of lithopone that are tailored for particular applications, such as high gloss paints or specialty coatings. By offering these tailored solutions, suppliers can help paint manufacturers enhance the performance characteristics of their products, thus gaining a competitive edge in the market.

The price of Titanium Dioxide in Taiwan rose considerably throughout December 2018, reaching 3,750 USD per metric ton.  The price in Taiwan is 10% higher than the average price in the previous month and 1% higher than the average price one year before. In contrast, Titanium Dioxide prices in India were flat during December 2018, and were decline when compared to the average price in the preceding yeara decline of 3% from the previous year’s price. 

JECFA also evaluated estimates of dietary exposure to titanium dioxide, estimating the maximum 95^th percentile of exposure to be 10 mg/kg BW per day. Overall, considering the low oral absorption of titanium dioxide as a food additive, the committee reaffirmed the ADI “not specified” that was established at the 13^th meeting.

In a study published in 2022 in the journal Particle and Fibre Technology, researchers examined the impact of maternal exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles in newborn offspring mice. They found that “a chronic exposure to TiO2 NPs during pregnancy alters the respiratory activity of offspring, characterized by an abnormally elevated rate of breathing.” Breathing was also shown to be “significantly and abnormally accelerated,” and the ability for neural circuitry to effectively adjust breathing rates was impaired. The researchers concluded: “Our findings thus demonstrate that a maternal exposure to TiO2 NPs during pregnancy affects the normal development and operation of the respiratory centers in progeny.”