Another challenge facing TiO2 industry suppliers is the increasing environmental regulations and sustainability requirements. The production of TiO2 can have environmental impacts, such as energy consumption and waste generation. Suppliers must invest in sustainable practices and technologies to minimize their environmental footprint and meet regulatory requirements.

It should also be considered that due to the low pH in the stomach, the increased dissolution of the TiO₂ particles may increase its bioavailability and may facilitate the entry of titanium ions into the blood circulation. Despite the relatively large consumption of TiO₂ as a food additive, no studies on the effect of pH on its absorption and bioavailability have been found in the literature. This can be attributed to a general belief that TiO₂is completely insoluble. However, this is not completely true, as TiO₂ particles show a certain degree of solubility.

Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity 

CSPI says it might reconsider its rating if specifications for food-grade titanium dioxide in the U.S. are updated to ensure nanoparticles are minimized, and new studies are conducted to assess its capacity to cause cancer or other health problems. 

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.    

The most common foods containing titanium dioxide are chewing gum, candies, pastries, chocolates, coffee creamers, and cake decorations (1Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

Another important property of Chinese anatase titanium dioxide is its photocatalytic activity, which enables it to break down organic pollutants and harmful chemicals when exposed to light. This makes it an attractive choice for applications in environmental remediation, such as air and water purification systems. Additionally, its photocatalytic properties have also been studied for use in self-cleaning surfaces, such as windows and building facades, where it can help to reduce maintenance costs and keep surfaces looking clean.

1. Pigment and Food Coloring

The Journal of the American Institute for Conservation (JAIC) is an international peer-reviewed periodical for the art conservation profession. The Journal publishes articles on treatment case studies, current issues, materials research, and technical analyses relating to the conservation and preservation of historic and cultural works. The topics encompass a broad range of specialties including architectural materials, archeological objects, books and paper, ethnographic materials, objects, paintings, photographic materials, sculpture, and wooden artifacts. Started as the Bulletin of the International Institute for Conservation-American Group (IIC-AG), in April 1961, the Journal matured into its current form in 1977. Since that time JAIC has become a repository for the core body of conservation information through its documentation of new materials, changing methods, and developing standards in the conservation profession. The four-color publication is distributed three times a year to AIC members and museum, library, and university subscribers.

Overall, titanium dioxide manufacturers play a crucial role in supplying this essential compound to industries around the world. By focusing on quality, sustainability, and innovation, manufacturers can ensure a stable supply of titanium dioxide for years to come.

The brands of lithopone of the normal class, that of chemical manufacture, are marketed under such names as Ponolith, Beckton White, Jersey Lily White, Oleum White, Zinc Sulphide White, all of these being of domestic manufacture, and their composition is of the 30 per cent. zinc sulphide type. The German manufacturers and exporters of lithopone make use of fancy names for their brands and here are a few examples of these and the composition of the pigment:-

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the development of novel applications for Chinese anatase titanium dioxide, such as in the field of energy storage and conversion. For example, it has been investigated as a potential electrode material for lithium-ion batteries, due to its high conductivity and stability. Furthermore, its photocatalytic activity has been explored for use in dye-sensitized solar cells, where it can help to improve the efficiency of solar energy conversion.

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

This precipitate is not suitable for a pigment until it is filtered, dried, crushed, heated to a high temperature and quenched in cold water. The second heating in a muffle furnace at 725 °C produces crystals of the right optical size.

CSPI says it might reconsider its rating if specifications for food-grade titanium dioxide in the U.S. are updated to ensure nanoparticles are minimized, and new studies are conducted to assess its capacity to cause cancer or other health problems. 

If you want to avoid titanium dioxide, read labels carefully and stick to minimally processed whole foods.

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a multifunctional semiconductor that exists in three crystalline forms: anatase, rutile, and brookite. Owing to an appropriate combination of physical and chemical properties, environmental compatibility, and low production cost, polycrystalline TiO₂ has found a large variety of applications and is considered to be a promising material for future technologies. One of the most distinctive physical properties of this material is its high photocatalytic activity (Nam et al., 2019); however, more recently it has attracted growing interest because of its resistive switching abilities (Yang et al., 2008).

Nano-sized TiO₂ generally shows low or no acute toxicity in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, exposure of Daphnia magna to 20 ppm TiO₂ for 8 consecutive days was found to cause 40 % mortality. Zhu et al. showed minimal toxicity to D. magna after 48 h exposure, while upon chronic exposure for 21 days, D. magna suffered severe growth retardation and mortality. A significant amount of nano-sized TiO₂ was found also accumulated in the body of the animals. Similar findings with coated nano-sized TiO₂ (T-Lite™ SF, T-Lite™ SF-S and T-Lite™ MAX; BASF SE) were reported by Wiench et al. Biochemical measurements showed that exposure to TiO₂ NPs induces significant concentration-dependent antioxidant enzyme activities in D. magna. Lee et al. showed that 7 and 20 nm-sized TiO₂ induced no genotoxic effect in D. magna and in the larva of the aquatic midge Chironomus riparius.

The aim of this work was to examine particularly the Degussa P25 titanium dioxide nanoparticles (P25TiO₂NPs) because they are among the most employed ones in cosmetics. In fact, all kinds of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) have gained widespread commercialization over recent decades. This white pigment (TiO₂NPs) is used in a broad range of applications, including food, personal care products (toothpaste, lotions, sunscreens, face creams), drugs, plastics, ceramics, and paints. The original source is abundant in Earth as a chemically inert amphoteric oxide, which is thermally stable, corrosion-resistant, and water-insoluble. This oxide is found in three different forms: rutile (the most stable and substantial form), brookite (rhombohedral), and anatase (tetragonal as rutile), of these, both rutile and anatase are of significant commercial importance in a wide range of applications [3]. Additionally, the nano-sized oxide exhibits interesting physical properties, one of them is the ability to act as semiconducting material under UV exposure. In fact, TiO₂NPs are the most well-known and useful photocatalytic material, because of their relatively low price and photo-stability [4]. Although, this photoactivity could also cause undesired molecular damage in biological tissues and needs to be urgently assessed, due to their worldwide use. However, not all nanosized titanium dioxide have the same behavior. In 2007, Rampaul A and Parkin I questioned: “whether the anatase/rutile crystal form of titanium dioxide with an organosilane or dimethicone coat, a common titania type identified in sunscreens, is appropriate to use in sunscreen lotions” [5]. They also suggested that with further study, other types of functionalized titanium dioxide could potentially be safer alternatives. Later, Damiani found that the anatase form of TiO₂NPs was the more photoactive one, and stated that it should be avoided for sunscreen formulations, in agreement with Barker and Branch (2008) [6,7].