EU ban on titanium dioxide

In 2017, French researchers from the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAE) were among the first to examine the effects of E171 nanoparticles on the body. They fed rats a dose of 10mg of E171 per kilogram of body weight per day, which was similar to human exposure in food. The research, which was published in Scientific Reports, showed that E171 was able to traverse the intestinal barrier, pass into the bloodstream, and reach other areas of the body in rats. Researchers also found a link between immune system disorders and the absorption of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. 

Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity 

Importantly, TiO2 also has a very high refractive index (its ability to scatter light), even higher than diamond. This makes it an incredibly bright substance and an ideal material for aesthetic design use.