2024-10-18 12:28:00
What is titanium dioxide?
TiO2 is a chemical substance that exists in different forms, and at different scales, micrometric and nanometric. TiO2 exhibits properties, such as resistance to chemicals, thermal stability and photocatalyst potential, which allows the degradation of pollutants under the action of light rays.
In what products can titanium dioxide be found?
Sectoral uses are very varied. Thus, TiO2 is used in the composition of a wide variety of products such as paints, cosmetics but also medicines, or construction products. It has long been used as a food additive under the name E171 in many food products, such as confectionery, pastries or even ready meals, but this use has no longer been authorized for several years.
TiO2 is used in medicines as an excipient for its opacifying properties or as a coloring agent.
It is also present in toothpastes, the latter of which may have medicinal or cosmetic status depending on their composition, in particular the fluoride level.
TiO2, in its nanometric form, is part of of the four most used nanomaterials in Francewith more than 10,000 tonnes of TiO2 produced and imported each year according to the annual declaration register for nanomaterials, R-nano, managed by ANSES.
What are the suspected health effects of titanium dioxide?
Despite the lack of specific data for the different forms, particularly nanometric ones, of TiO2, toxic effects have been reported for certain particular forms of TiO2. Indeed, in various opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and ANSES, health concerns have been raised about the potential genotoxic effects of TiO2 particles present in the food additive E171. In addition, TiO2 is a suspected carcinogen after inhalation exposure according to the CLP regulation.
TiO2 is currently being evaluated at European level as part of the Reach regulation.
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