Lithopone’s historical significance is further accentuated by the advancements and modifications that followed its inception. The 1874 patent by J.B. Orr, for instance, ushered in a new white pigment—Orr’s Zinc White. This innovation was attained by co-precipitating zinc sulfate and barium sulfide, followed by a calcination process. Further refinements marked the subsequent decades, the most notable being the enhancement of lightfastness achieved in the 1920s by introducing small amounts of cobalt salts before calcination.
Manufacturers of titanium dioxide play a crucial role in meeting the global demand for this versatile substance. They employ advanced manufacturing processes and technologies to produce high-quality titanium dioxide with consistent properties and performance. Many manufacturers also invest in research and development to explore new applications and improve existing products.
It adds a bright white color to coffee creamers, baked goods, chewing gums, hard-shell candies, puddings, frostings, dressings, and sauces. But the nanoparticles found in “food-grade” titanium dioxide may accumulate in the body and cause DNA damage—which is one way chemicals cause cancer and other health problems.
In general, nanoparticles have been shown to accumulate in the body, particularly in organs in the gastrointestinal tract, along with the liver, spleen, and capillaries of the lungs.