Recently, Yanagisawa et al. reported that the transdermal exposure (mimicking skin-barrier dysfunction or defect) of NC/Nga mice to TiO₂ NPs (15, 50, or 100 nm), in combination with allergen, aggravated atopic dermatitis-like lesions through a T-helper type 2 (Th2) dominant immune response. The study also indicated that TiO₂ NPs can play a role in the initiation and/or progression of skin diseases, since histamine was released, even in the absence of allergen.

Product Name: Lithopone

The US and Canada, however, approve the use of titanium dioxide as a food additive. Canada's recent review of titanium dioxide reconfirmed its safety and pointed out that many of the toxicity studies the EU reviewed were not relevant to the safety of titanium dioxide as a food ingredient, and that the ban is based on an abundance of caution and uncertainty.

What is titanium dioxide made of?