But in 2021, EFSA reevaluated titanium dioxide to consider the impacts of its nanoparticle. After considering more studies, EFSA concluded that nanoparticle-size titanium dioxide can accumulate in the body, break DNA strands and cause chromosomal damage.

The chemical is also found in common household and industrial products such as paints, coatings, adhesives, paper, plastics and rubber, printing inks, coated fabrics and textiles, as well as ceramics.

The produced barium sulfide enters the leacher, and the temperature is controlled above 65°C to obtain a barium sulfide content of 70%, and then enters the clarification barrel, add zinc sulfate for reaction after clarification, control the zinc sulfate content to be greater than 28%, pH=8~9, and obtain a mixture of barium sulfate and zinc sulfide with a density of 1.296~1.357 g/cm3.

Because of health risks, France banned titanium dioxide as a food additive in 2020. Two years later the European Union also banned titanium dioxide as a food additive. 

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.

ZnSO4 + BaS + ZnS + BaSO4

What's the Verdict?

Prof. Matthew Wright, chair of EFSA’s working group on E171, noted: “Although the evidence for general toxic effects was not conclusive, on the basis of the new data and strengthened methods we could not rule out a concern for genotoxicity and consequently we could not establish a safe level for daily intake of the food additive.”

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