Additionally, the committee noted that the available data did not provide convincing evidence of genotoxicity for titanium dioxide as a food additive, but recognized the limitations in current methodologies with respect to the testing of poorly soluble particulate materials. Although there were uncertainties in the genotoxicity data, the experts took into account the fact that the additive was not carcinogenic in adequately conducted two-year studies in mice and rats at doses of up to 7,500 mg/kg BW per day for mice, and 2,500 mg/kg BW per day for rats, the highest doses tested. There was also no evidence of reproductive or developmental toxicity in studies in rats at doses up to 1,000 mg/kg BW per day, the highest doses tested.  

A significant body of research, mostly from rodent models and in vitro studies, has linked titanium dioxide with health risks related to the gut, including intestinal inflammation, alterations to the gut microbiota, and more. It is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Group 2B, as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Inflammation of the intestines

Titanium dioxide is used in a wide range of food products and consumer goods – from candy to sunscreen and house paint. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains that the regulated use of titanium dioxide, specifically as a color additive in food, is safe under some restrictions.

In a 2021, Chinese researchers examined the impact of E171 on lipid digestion and vitamin D3 bioaccessibility in a simulated human gastrointestinal tract model. They examined Vitamin D’s bioaccessibility, or the amount it was released in the gastrointestinal tract, becoming available for absorption, and found it “significantly decreased from 80% to 74%” with the addition of E171. In the experiment, E171 decreased lipid digestion dose-dependently. Researchers wrote: “The findings of this study enhance our understanding toward the potential impact of E171 on the nutritional attributes of foods for human digestion health.”  The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 

Moreover, the coatings formulated with MBR9668 exhibit excellent thermal stability, allowing them to perform well in various temperature ranges without compromising their consistency or effectiveness. This feature is particularly valuable in industries such as aerospace and manufacturing, where components must withstand extreme conditions.

How do I know if a Unilever product contains titanium dioxide?

Some consumer advocacy groups and health agencies — particularly, those at the Environmental Working Group — have been pushing federal officers at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reconsider their existing rules on the additive, which is commonly found in processed snacks and sweets.

Titanium dioxide R-996 is mainly used in powder coatings, water-based and solvent-based external coatings, high-grade color masterbatches, plastics, rubber, inks, high-grade paper and wax paper and leather upholstery fabrics, cosmetics, suitable for high-grade interior coatings, high-solid paints, Road marking paints, marine paints and inks, and also used in the plastics, rubber, paper and leather industries.

That being said, titanium dioxide is particularly popular in concealers. ​​As one of the most naturally opaque and pearly-white materials on earth, titanium dioxide has the ability to provide excellent coverage while brightening the skin, whether you’re dealing with blemishes, dark spots, acne, or dark circles under the eye.

② Plastics: At present, it is the second largest user of titanium dioxide pigments, accounting for about 20% of the total demand for titanium dioxide. The amount of titanium dioxide used in plastic products will vary with the use requirements, generally between 0.5% and 5%. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the production of plastic products in China increased from 57.81 million tons in 2012 to 81.84 million tons in 2019, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The amount of titanium dioxide increases accordingly.

Recent analyses of food-grade TiO₂ samples have found that a significant portion of particles may be within the nanoscale. These particles (also known as nanoparticles) range in size from 1 to 100 nm, where 1 nm equals 1 billionth of a metre (the width of a typical human hair is 80,000 to 100,000 nm).

Respiratory Exposure 

Titanium dioxide has also been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which has caused concern about its use in food products. This classification, however, is currently based on limited evidence from animal studies that involved the inhalation of titanium dioxide particles that increased the risk of lung cancer.

Fluorine Chemical, Lithopone 30% CAS No. 1345-05-7, white powder, relative density: 4.136 ~ 4.39 g / mL, insoluble in water. It is a mixture of zinc sulfide and barium sulfate. Inorganic white pigment, widely used in plastics such as polyolefin, vinyl resin, ABS resin, polystyrene, polycarbonate, nylon and polyoxymethylene, and white pigments of paints and inks. It is less effective in polyurethane and amino resins and less suitable in fluoroplastics. It is also used for coloring of rubber products, paper, varnish, tarpaulin, leather, watercolor paint, paper, enamel, and the like. Used as a binder in the production of electric beads.

We even use titanium dioxide when brushing our teeth as it’s found in many toothpastes. 

From a stability standpoint, lithopone, a fusion of zinc sulfide and artificially precipitated barite, is non-toxic and exhibits resilience to mild lyes and acids. However, it is incompatible with colors containing copper. Despite its strong covering power in oil, lithopone’s drying capabilities are notably limited, posing potential issues for artists. Notably, early experimentation with lithopone-based grounds instead of zinc white resulted in undesirable darkening, although this blackness receded upon drying. This unpredictable behavior has sparked debate among scientific communities, emphasizing the need for further exploration and understanding of this pigment.

At present, the equipment and manufacturing process of domestic manufacturers of polyvinyl butyral are constantly getting closer to those abroad. For example, the wonderful use of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) has occurred in the printing industry and ceramic industry. Therefore, the domestic application of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) has an obvious upward trend in recent years.

For example, in the glass industry, it is because polyvinyl butyral (PVB) has good low-temperature impact strength, windability, light transmittance, light resistance, weather resistance, sound insulation, UV insulation and other properties, so that once the laminated glass is sealed together, the glass sandwich (i.e. laminated material) will appear as a whole and look like ordinary glass. For example, in the porcelain industry, polyvinyl butyral is made into a film and used for printing paper film of ceramic (or enamel) products. First, it reduces the original glue small paper Decal process, reduces the production cycle and production cost, and second, it makes its ceramic (or enamel) patterns bright in color and smooth in texture.

With the rapid development of science and technology in recent years, more and more industries have found the characteristics of polyvinyl butyral (PVB): high strength, high toughness, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance and so on. Compared with traditional materials, polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is more and more widely used because of its larger development space and wider application fields!

Application field of polyvinyl butyral -- safety glass

The membrane made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is a special product used to manufacture safety glass and bulletproof glass. Safety glass is a special glass made of a layer of PVB diaphragm sandwiched between two layers of ordinary glass. It has good low-temperature impact strength, windability, light transmittance, light resistance, weather resistance, sound insulation, ultraviolet insulation and other properties. When subjected to strong external impact, PVB diaphragm can absorb impact energy, so that the glass will not break or prevent debris from hurting people. Moreover, the safety glass added with PVB diaphragm has the characteristics of high transparency, water resistance and aging resistance, and can be used in the environment of - 60 ℃. In addition, it can also be used as transparent material to replace plexiglass.

Application field of polyvinyl butyral -- ceramic film flower paper