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.

There is some concern regarding skin and intestinal absorption of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, which are less than 100 nm in diameter.

The ROS seemed to be endlessly produced by P25TiO₂NPs upon irradiation, since the values detected after 6 h are similar to the ones after 3 h. However, the amount of vitamin B2 in the surface of the NPs proved to be enough to decrease the ROS detected even after 6 h. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between C and A. p < 0.05

Why does the exposure route matter, and what's the risk? 

In a 2019 study published in the journal Nanotoxicology, researchers recreated the first phase of digestion in mice and fed them titanium dioxide, then examined whether accumulation occurred in the organs. Researchers wrote: “Significant accumulation of titanium was observed in the liver and intestine of E171-fed mice; in the latter a threefold increase in the number of TiO2 particles was also measured. Titanium accumulation in the liver was associated with necroinflammatory foci containing tissue monocytes/macrophages. Three days after the last dose, increased superoxide production and inflammation were observed in the stomach and intestine. Overall, [this] indicates that the risk for human health associated with dietary exposure to E171 needs to be carefully considered.”

Currently, titanium dioxide as a food additive is classified as GRAS, or “generally recognized as safe.” 

Food recalls:Some Jif peanut butter products recalled over salmonella outbreak concerns 

FDA guidelines:Americans are eating too much salt. So the FDA wants food manufacturers to cut back on sodium.  

The European Food Safety Authority updated its safety assessment of the mineral in March 2020, stating that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive. This was due to evidence of potentially harmful effects after consumption of the mineral, which may accumulate in the body over time.

While the conclusions of the EU expert panel were considered in this report, Health Canada's Food Directorate conducted its own comprehensive review of the available science. This included evaluating new scientific data that addressed some of the uncertainties identified by the EU expert panel and were not available at the time of their review.    

Most notably, a European Food Safety Authority safety assessment published in May 2021 pointed to genotoxicity concerns, as suggested by previous research. Genotoxicity is the ability of chemicals to damage genetic information such as DNA, which may lead to cancer.

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂). Titanium dioxide is the most common white pigment used today. As a pigment, titanium dioxide is unique because it combines both high colouring and high opacifying capacity. This is mainly due to its high refractive index (2.7). Furthermore, titanium dioxide is an excellent UV absorber (it is used in sun protective creams). Some typical properties are: density 3.3-4.25 g/cm³; pH of water suspension 3.5-10.5; particle size 8–300 nm; oil absorption 10–45 g/100 g; specific surface area 7–160 m²/g. Most titanium dioxide is produced from the rutile (TiO₂) or ilmenite (titanate of ferrous iron). Titanium dioxide can be obtained using different processes.

6. What happens next?

Rutile titanium dioxide R-996, white powder, insoluble in water, non-physiological toxicity, stable chemical properties, surface coated with silicon, aluminum, zirconium and organic treatment has excellent pigment performance, whiteness, brightness, good gloss; Strong hiding power, achromatic power and fluidity Rutile titanium dioxide, white powder, insoluble in water, non-physiological toxicity, stable chemical properties, excellent pigment performance after the surface is coated with silicon, aluminum, zirconium and organically treated, whiteness , Brightness, good gloss, hiding power, achromatic power and fluidity are strong, with excellent weather resistance and anti-powder properties.

As for titanium dioxide, the FDA approved titanium dioxide for use as a food additive in 1966. The last time the agency reviewed the additive’s safety, according to the Guardian, was in 1973.