Overall, the Food Directorate's comprehensive review of the available science of TiO2 as a food additive showed:
Due to its light-scattering properties, small amounts of titanium dioxide are added to certain foods to enhance their white color or opacity (1Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).
According to the American Chemistry Council, titanium dioxide (TiO2) is an inorganic substance that's used as a white powder in a variety of industrial and consumer goods, including in sunscreen, cosmetics, toothpaste, paint, plastics, food and more.
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The safety of the food additive E 171 was re-evaluated by the EFSA ANS Panel in 2016 in the frame of Regulation (EU) No 257/2010, as part of the re-evaluation programme for food additives authorised in the EU before 20 January 2009.
There are two primary forms of titanium dioxide commercially available: anatase and rutile. The rutile form is typically used in sunscreens due to its superior ability to handle UV rays and stability in the presence of UV light. The anatase form is typically used in other types of products, such as paint. Another plus of the rutile form is that its UVA protection extends past 400 nanometers, which is the upper limit of UVA.
Although food-grade titanium dioxide must be 99 percent pure, there’s still a risk of it containing potential contaminants, such as mercury, lead and arsenic. Additionally, inhaling the mineral over time can possibly cause it to build up in your body, leading to adverse effects.
The alarming fact of this study is that it was only conducted for 100 days, I have been wearing makeup daily for at least the last fifteen years & would have eaten kilo's of lipstick in my life time - what effects has this had on my system & health??
Reacting to the report, France’s ministers of health, agriculture and economy instructed the country’s food health and safety agency, Anses, to investigate whether the additive poses a risk for human health.
The study was said to be prompted by “growing concerns that daily oral… Intake is associated with an increased risk of chronic intestinal inflammation and carcinogenesis”, or cancer formation”.
This is often done using specialized equipment like ball mills or attritors, which grind the particles to an ultrafine consistency, enhancing the pigment's opacity and whiteness This is often done using specialized equipment like ball mills or attritors, which grind the particles to an ultrafine consistency, enhancing the pigment's opacity and whiteness
By prioritizing sustainability, we aim to contribute to a cleaner, greener future for our planet By prioritizing sustainability, we aim to contribute to a cleaner, greener future for our planetIn terms of refractive index and opacity, lithopone surpasses zinc oxide and lead oxide. Lithopone's high refractive index allows it to efficiently scatter and reflect light, thereby increasing the opacity of various media. Whether you need to enhance the opacity of paints, inks or plastics, lithopones deliver outstanding results, ensuring your final product is completely opaque.
Even though it is one of the most-produced chemicals, the real and potential benefits of titanium dioxide are not without controversies. Dust inhalation may cause breathing problems. Titanium dioxide has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as an Group 2B carcinogen, a “possible carcinogen to humans,” based on studies of rats that inhaled the substance.