china synthetic titanium dioxide

TiO2 is also known for its high refractive index, which means that it has the ability to bend and reflect light effectively. This property makes TiO2 an ideal pigment for enhancing the color and print quality of paper products. By using TiO2 in the paper manufacturing process, paper suppliers can achieve vibrant colors and sharp images that stand out on the page. This is particularly important for printed materials such as magazines, brochures, and packaging, where visual appeal is a key factor in attracting consumers.

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Titanium dioxide powder, a white crystalline powder, is widely used in various industries due to its excellent physical and chemical properties. It has high refractive index, strong covering power, and good stability, making it an ideal material for paints, plastics, papermaking, and other fields. In recent years, with the rapid development of these industries, the demand for titanium dioxide powder has been growing steadily. Therefore, many countries have established titanium dioxide powder factories to meet this demand.

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In short, no, research demonstrates that E171 is safe when consumed in normal situations.

Moreover, how we're exposed to an ingredient matters significantly in terms of our health and potential toxicity.   

Research shows that inhaling titanium dioxide particles in significant quantities over time can cause adverse health outcomes. Unless you work in an industrial setting, inhaling substantial amounts of titanium dioxide is highly unlikely. 

Research supports that applying titanium dioxide to the skin in the form of sunscreens, makeup, and other topical products does not pose a health risk. 

Overwhelmingly, research that's relevant to human exposure shows us that E171 is safe when ingested normally through foods and drugs (1,2).

Again, other research suggests that E171 could cause harm; however, those research processes did not design their studies to model how people are exposed to E171. Research that adds E171 to drinking water, utilizes direct injections, or gives research animals E171 through a feeding apparatus is not replicating typical human exposure, which occurs through food and medicine consumption.

Read more in-depth about the titanium dioxide risk at go.msu.edu/8Dp5. 

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In a small study published in the European Journal of Nutrition in 2020, researchers examined the effects of several food additives, including titanium dioxide, along with artificial sweeteners and cleaning products by testing the fecal samples of 13 people. Titanium dioxide was among the samples that “induced significant shifts in microbiome community structure.”  The growth of the bacterium species belonging to C. leptum, which has been shown to decrease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, “significantly decreased in the presence of … titanium dioxide” among other additives and sweeteners tested.

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