Public health groups urge FDA to cancel titanium dioxide in food, by Center for Science in the Public Interest, May 30, 2023

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China’s government is working on its plan to eliminate outmoded capacities of TiO2 and strengthen environmental protection measurements. Small and middle-sized enterprises, with a production capacity under 50,000t/a, are the ones to suffer. They mostly get merged or need to withdraw from the market. Without their production capacity of about 500,000 tonnes yearly, the domestic output might shrink about 20%. This will enhance the power of listed companies in China immensely, which is one of the main reasons for the effort to go public.

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.

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Fig. 4. Hemolysis (%) values of samples, A: 0.2 mg/mL P25TiO₂NPs; B: 0.02 mg/mL P25TiO₂NPs; C: 0.2 mg/mL VitaminB2@P25TiO₂NPs; D: 0.02 mg/mL VitaminB2@P25TiO₂NPs after 3 h of irradiation (red) and 6 h (blue). SD <5 for all samples and p <0.05 between C-D and A-B.

Fig. 4. Hemolysis (%) values of samples, A: 0.2 mg/mL P25TiO₂NPs; B: 0.02 mg/mL P25TiO₂NPs; C: 0.2 mg/mL VitaminB2@P25TiO₂NPs; D: 0.02 mg/mL VitaminB2@P25TiO₂NPs after 3 h of irradiation (red) and 6 h (blue). SD <5 for all samples and p <0.05 between C-D and A-B.

A safety review conducted by the EFSA in 2021 assessed thousands of studies published on titanium dioxide.

When E171 is part of a food product, it passes through the digestive system without causing harm because E171 combines with the other ingredients. 

In a study published in the journal Toxicology, researchers examined the effects of exposing human colon cancer cell line (HTC116) titanium dioxide food additives in vitro. “In the absence of cytotoxicity, E171 was accumulated in the cells after 24 hours of exposure, increasing granularity and reactive oxygen species, inducing alterations in the molecular pattern of nucleic acids and lipids, and causing nuclei enlargement, DNA damage and tubulin depolymerization,” the scientists wrote. Researchers removed the additive from the culture, then examined the results 48 hours later. They found, “The removal of E171 was unable to revert the alterations found after 24 h of exposure in colon cells. In conclusion, exposure to E171 causes alterations that cannot be reverted after 48 h if E171 is removed from colon cells.”

Lithopone is a white pigment that is commonly used in a variety of industries, including the paint, plastic, and rubber industries. With 30% of the world's lithopone factories located in China, the country plays a significant role in the production and supply of this important chemical compound.

Of the two methods of extraction, the sulphate process is currently the most popular method of producing TiO₂ in the European Union, accounting for 70 percent of European sources. The remaining 30 percent is the result of the chloride process. On a global level, it is estimated about 40-45 percent of the world’s production is based on the chloride process.

R-818:

1. Enhanced Durability and Performance One of the critical benefits of incorporating titanium dioxide into tire formulations is its ability to improve overall durability. Tires containing TiO2 exhibit increased resistance to wear and tear, which is essential for vehicle performance and safety. Additionally, TiO2 contributes to reduced rolling resistance, which can enhance fuel efficiency in vehicles.

Titanium dioxide helps protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Plus, it’s generally considered to be safe for sensitive skin types. Not only that, but it might also make for sunscreens that are more suitable for children and infants since it’s much less likely to cause stinging compared to chemical sunscreens. And when used in foundations, titanium dioxide can even provide a little extra sun protection on top of your daily SPF.

The leading Chinese TiO2 exporter in value and quantity has been Sichuan Lomon, followed by Henan Billions and Gansu CNNC Huayuan. However, Sichuan Lomon exported a value of titanium dioxide by USD100,000,000 more than the second rank Henan Billions. Henan Billions, on the other hand, exported over USD70,000,000 more TiO2 than Gansu CNNC Huayuan. This demonstrates the huge monopole-like position of the newly merged company Henan Lomon, which can determine the market development for TiO2 in China nearly all alone.