3. What is EFSA saying in its 2021 opinion on the safety of titanium dioxide as a food additive?

It's sort of ironic, maybe ironic is the wrong word, that the ingredient in paint that makes your kitchen shiny also makes your Hostess cupcakes shiny, Environmental Working Group's senior vice president of government affairs Scott Faber added.

Toxic effects of TiO₂ NPs on soil organisms

Below are selected applications of photocatalytic pollutant decomposition processes on titanium oxide:
1. Self-cleaning surfaces: for the production of glass for spotlights, traffic lights, car mirrors, window panes, for road paints, for covering sound-absorbing screens and tunnel walls.
2. Air cleaning and odor removal: filters that are used in enclosed spaces (e.g. public toilets) or filters for air-conditioning equipment.
3. Water treatment: groundwater treatment installations, water purification installations in the intakes of drinking water from rivers.
4. Self-disinfecting materials: towels, linings, clothing, equipment in hospitals, wall surfaces of operating rooms.
5. Removal of lesions: anti-cancer therapy.

Another important application of titanium dioxide is in the production of sunscreen and other skincare products. Titanium dioxide is a key ingredient in many sunscreens due to its ability to reflect and scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation, providing protection against harmful UV rays. Manufacturers of titanium dioxide for sunscreen products often use special coatings and surface treatments to enhance its UV-blocking properties.

Hebei Caixin Material Technology Co., LTD., formerly established in 2005, is located in the core of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei City cluster, close to Tianjin Port, the largest port in the north, with developed transportation and outstanding people. After the continuous efforts of Caiqing people, has accumulated assets for the company of nearly 200 million, nearly 1,000 employees, Caiqing technology has become the pigment titanium dioxide research and development, production, sales and import and export trade in one of the large company, we integrate industry resources, to provide personalized customized services for global customers. We adhere to the market-oriented, good faith as the principle, is committed to open up a diversified international market, for the world customers to provide quality products, efficient service, is our unremitting pursuit. We sincerely invite customers from all over the world to visit our company.

Titanium dioxide prices climbed significantly in the European region during Q2 2021, owing to strong demand from the downstream sector. Major global suppliers indicated that they have seen a surge in its demand for primarily from Europe and Asia, despite a global supply constraint. Furthermore, a global player raised titanium dioxide costs in Europe by 200 USD /MT this quarter, effective Q3 2021.

In conclusion, the role of lithopone in the paint industry cannot be overstated. Its unique properties make it a vital component in producing high-quality paints and coatings. As the market continues to evolve with a focus on sustainability and performance, lithopone suppliers are stepping up to meet these challenges through innovative production techniques and a commitment to quality. By partnering with these suppliers, paint manufacturers can ensure they are equipped with the best possible materials to create products that not only meet consumer expectations but also contribute to a more sustainable future.

The FDA has not updated its general guidance on safety assessments since 2007. Within that time, there has been a significant increase in research on the confluence of toxicology, nanotechnology and human health. The EU updates its guidance regularly with new science available to offer proper safety assessments, with its most recent update published in 2021.

In industrial settings, people can be exposed to titanium dioxide through inhalation. Inhalation exposure to titanium dioxide is exceedingly rare for most people.