Chemical formula: BaO5S2Zn2

Is titanium dioxide dangerous? Has it been linked to any health issues?

Dongfang Titanium Industry R-5568 titanium dioxide with zinc salt stabilizer, zirconium, aluminum, silicon coating. It has the characteristics of high blue phase, easy dispersion, high weather resistance, high hiding power, low oil absorption, good system compatibility, and excellent processing rheology. It is a high-quality titanium dioxide for plastics. Dongfang Titanium R-5568 titanium dioxide is recommended to be widely used in polyolefin, PVC, ABS, PS and other color masterbatches, profiles, plates and pipes, and can also be used in leather color paste, oily paint and other industries.

When it comes to sourcing titanium dioxide, it is essential to understand the various processes involved in its production. The two primary production methods are the sulfate process and the chloride process. The sulfate process tends to be more cost-effective in certain contexts, but it also generates a substantial amount of waste, putting pressure on manufacturers to invest in waste treatment technologies. On the other hand, the chloride process is known for its superior quality and lower environmental impact, albeit at a higher production cost.

Drobne et al. used the terrestrial arthropod Porcellio scaber as a test organism for determining the cytotoxic effect of TiO₂ NPs (anatase). The animals were exposed to TiO₂ NPs of two different sizes (25 nm and 75 nm) in the concentration range 10–1000 μg TiO₂/g dry food for 3 to 14 days. No adverse effects, such as mortality, body weight changes or reduced feeding, were observed. In fact, quite the opposite, an enhanced feeding rate, food absorption efficiency and increase in catalase activity were observed. The intensity of these responses appeared to be time- but not dose-dependent. It should also be noted that the concentrations tested in this study were much higher than the predicted concentration (4.8 μg/g soil) at high emission scenario of nano-sized TiO₂. Using the same test organism another group showed that exposure to TiO₂ NPs induced destabilization of cell membrane in the epithelium of digestive glands isolated from exposed animals. They also showed that this effect can be observed after just 30 minutes of exposure.

How to Avoid It

Near sample

Appearance:

The future of TiO₂

The assessment was conducted following a rigorous methodology and taking into consideration many thousands of studies that have become available since EFSA’s previous assessment in 2016, including new scientific evidence and data on nanoparticles.