r 706 titanium dioxide factory

The primary concern surrounding the use of TiO2 in food is its potential to be inhaled or ingested. While TiO2 is generally recognized as safe for consumption by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are some studies that suggest that it may have adverse effects on human health when consumed in large quantities over a long period of time. These studies have linked TiO2 to respiratory problems, such as inflammation and irritation, as well as potential carcinogenic effects.

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In a 2017 study published in Scientific Reports, researchers exposed rats to human-relevant levels of E171 to examine the effects of intestinal inflammation and carcinogenesis. They saw that “a 100-day E171 treatment promoted colon microinflammation and initiated preneoplastic lesions while also fostering the growth of aberrant crypt foci in a chemically induced carcinogenesis model.” They continued: “Stimulation of immune cells isolated from Peyer’s Patches [which are clusters of lymphoid follicles found in the intestine] showed a decrease in Thelper (Th)-1 IFN-γ secretion, while splenic Th1/Th17 inflammatory responses sharply increased,” researchers wrote. “A 100-day titanium dioxide treatment promoted colon microinflammation and initiated preneoplastic lesions.” The scientists concluded: “These data should be considered for risk assessments of the susceptibility to Th17-driven autoimmune diseases and to colorectal cancer in humans exposed to TiO2 from dietary sources.”

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Rutile titanium dioxide, the most common form of TiO2, possesses a tetragonal crystal structure and exhibits unique physical and chemical properties that make it suitable for a wide range of applications. One of the key advantages of rutile TiO2 is its high refractive index, which ranges from 2.4 to 2.7. This high refractive index enables rutile TiO2 to provide excellent hiding power and whiteness in coatings, plastics, and other materials.

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