- 4. Elementis
- Furthermore, research and development in the coatings industry continue to explore ways to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of TiO2 usage. Nano-sized TiO2 particles, for instance, have shown potential in improving the performance characteristics of coatings while reducing the overall TiO2 content required.
Most notably, a European Food Safety Authority safety assessment published in May 2021 pointed to genotoxicity concerns, as suggested by previous research. Genotoxicity is the ability of chemicals to damage genetic information such as DNA, which may lead to cancer.
There are many ways we’re exposed to titanium dioxide in our everyday life. Below are the most common ways we encounter titanium dioxide.

Nanotoxicology “focuses on determining the adverse effects of nanomaterials on human health and the environment.”
Still many experts say the body of research does not support the current health concerns being expressed about titanium dioxide.
In food, titanium dioxide is often used as an artificial color additive. Tasha Stoiber, senior scientist at the consumer health nonprofit Environmental Working Group, says titanium dioxide can generally be thought of as a paint primer – it often goes on a hard-shelled candy like Skittles before the color is added to give it a uniform shine.
Lithopone is a white pigment (PW5) co-precipitated from solutions of zinc and barium salts according to the following reaction:


Furthermore, this packaging has been shown to have both antibacterial and photocatalytic activity, the latter of which reduces ultraviolet (UV) exposure (5Trusted Source, 6).
A European ban of titanium dioxide in food took effect in 2022, but it is still legal for use in food in the U.S.
Other research suggests that E171 could cause harm; however, those research processes did not consider how people are typically exposed to E171. Research that adds E171 to drinking water, utilizes direct injections, or gives research animals E171 through a feeding apparatus is not replicating typical human exposure.
In a 2016 study published in Scientifica (Cairo), Egyptian researchers examined the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the organs of mice by orally administering the food additive daily, for five days. The results showed that the exposure produced “mild to moderate changes in the cytoarchitecture of brain tissue in a time dependent manner.” Furthermore, “Comet assay revealed the apoptotic DNA fragmentation, while PCR-SSCP pattern and direct sequencing showed point mutation of Presenilin 1 gene at exon 5, gene linked to inherited forms of Alzheimer’s disease.” The researchers wrote: “From these findings, “the present study concluded that TiO2NPs is genotoxic and mutagenic to brain tissue which in turn might lead to Alzheimer’s disease incidence.”
We even use titanium dioxide when brushing our teeth as it’s found in many toothpastes.
≥ 5 % of standard sample
In addition to pigments and sunscreens, titanium dioxide is also used in the production of paper, food products, and pharmaceuticals. In the paper industry, titanium dioxide is added to paper coatings to improve brightness, smoothness, and printability. In the food industry, titanium dioxide is used as a whitening agent in products such as candies, chewing gum, and icing. In the pharmaceutical industry, titanium dioxide is used as a coloring agent in tablets and capsules.
use of titanium dioxide manufacturers
