In conclusion, titanium IV oxide is a versatile compound that is used in a wide range of industries. From sunscreen to paints to food coloring to pharmaceuticals, titanium dioxide plays a vital role in many products. Its unique properties, such as UV protection, brightness, and stability, make it an essential ingredient in various applications. As technology continues to advance, titanium IV oxide will likely continue to play a key role in the manufacturing of innovative products.
Exposure routes are the pathways that allow ingredients to enter our bodies. Primary exposure routes include:
It’s also used in food products to provide a white color. Candies, cakes and creamers are examples of foods that may contain titanium dioxide for its color enhancing and bleaching properties.
After conducting a review of all the relevant available scientific evidence, EFSA concluded that a concern for genotoxicity of TiO2 particles cannot be ruled out. Based on this concern, EFSA’s experts no longer consider titanium dioxide safe when used as a food additive. This means that an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI ) cannot be established for E171.

This work confirms previous studies that show P-25 and other untreated anatase 377 nanoparticles should not be employed in sunscreens because the toxicity of P25TiO2NPs under UV radiation is significant.
≥100

French researchers studied how and where E171 nanoparticles enter the bloodstream, first studying the route through pigs and then in vitro with human buccal cells, for a 2023 study published in the journal Nanotoxicology. The research showed that the nanoparticles absorbed quickly through the mouth and then into the bloodstream, before damaging DNA and hindering cell regeneration.