Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring oxide of the element titanium. Also referred to as titanium (IV) oxide or titania, this substance also occurs naturally as three mineral compounds known as anatase, brookite, and rutile. However, it is most commonly extracted from titanium tetrachloride by carbon reduction and re-oxidization. Alternatively, it may be processed from another oxide called ilmenite, which is subjected to reduction with sulfuric acid to achieve pure titanium dioxide.
There are a number of industrial applications for this mineral. For one thing, it has very high refraction properties. In fact, titanium dioxide is one of the whitest materials known to exist on Earth, which has earned it the nickname "titanium white." For this reason, it is often included in many cosmetic preparations to reflect light away from the skin. It is also a major component of sun block to deter the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, the concentration of which determines the product’s Sun Protection Factor, or SPF.
As a pigment, titanium dioxide is used to enhance the white color of certain foods, such as dairy products and candy. It also lends brightness to toothpaste and some medications. However, it is also used as a food additive and flavor enhancer in a variety of non-white foods, including dried vegetables, nuts, seeds, soups, and mustard, as well as beer and wine.
Since titanium dioxide reflects light so well, it is ideal for use as a protective coating for many products, such as automobile parts and optical mirrors. It is also incorporated into paint. In fact, due to its refractive ability, it is a component of paints used to coat cars, boats, and airplanes. In addition, titanium dioxide is found in a number of construction and building materials. The plastic industry also makes use of titanium dioxide as a coating to absorb UV light and render increased durability.
Since titanium dioxide accounts for roughly 70 percent of the pigment used commercially on a global scale, there have been concerns raised over its toxicity in the workplace. In response, a number of global agencies have advised manufacturers to update material safety data sheets and occupational hazard training programs based on current safety reviews. For example, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has now classified this substance a potential carcinogen based on the rate of incidence of respiratory tract cancer in rats after prolonged inhalation of titanium dioxide dust particles. However, as a food additive in minute quantities, this material is considered safe for human consumption.
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anon333349
Post 17 |
Vitacost has banned titanium dioxide from all its supplements? I have a supplement that contains it. Should I stop using it? |
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anon312961
Post 16 |
The canned soup industry is getting worse. Campbell's has a line of 'natural' ingredients for a few soups. However, msg is rampant in most of their others, but I was aghast to see titanium dioxide listed on a can just the other day at the grocery store. Get those poisons out of there. Read labels to save your health. |
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anon310807
Post 15 |
I got my dogs rawhide gingerbread men for Christmas. They both got very ill and vomited for the whole day after they ate most of the rawhide. I read the label and it has titanium dioxide in it. Also a caution that it may cause gastric upset. Yes, it really upset their tummies. I'll never buy them anything with that in it again. Please read the package before buying. It's the one thing I did not do. |
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anon298764
Post 14 |
How can titanium react with engine oil, and when we put it in the sun, will the oil become clean? |
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anon247701
Post 9 |
Does anyone know how does the titanium oxide coating process work. Like what are the chemicals involved in the pretreatment stage? |
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anon225372
Post 8 |
It the ultrafine particles that you need to worry about. Talking about particle diameter of <100 nanometers. And you have to breathe these in as the cancer is related to lung cancer. So TiO2 in commercial products such as makeup and toothpaste and whatever isn't really a problem. Has to be in the air to breathe in. |
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anon176259
Post 7 |
I took Ibuprofen for a toothache along with my Valproic Acid and like comment number number five felt like I was dying. Blood pressure dropped and I was lying on the floor, crawled to the door and phoned an ambulance. Blood pressure went back up but for four days I felt unbalanced while walking, an up and down motion, many other strange things were happening in my body, felt like anaphylactic shock. I had to treat myself as no one knew what was wrong, even though I told the medical attendants what I thought had happened and that both the Valproic acid and the Ibuprofen contained titanium dioxide. I Have since noticed this is in toothpaste and hair shampoo. I threw it all out. No idea where to go about this nor who to talk to about it, but my feeling is that if it used in anything we ingest is highly dangerous. |
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anon169586
Post 6 |
When I read the article that Titanium Dioxide has now classified this substance a potential carcinogen based on the rate of incidence of respiratory tract cancer in rats after prolonged inhalation of titanium dioxide dust particles. I now fear if I'm going to use those commercial products that contains this substance, specifically the soap and toothpaste that I am now using. Please, I need more explanations and articles about the good benefits as well as bad effects of using Titanium Dioxide. We really know that it is not a big joke of having a cancer nowadays. Cancer is really horrible and terrible. --Libra |
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anon142015
Post 5 |
Twice I have been prescribed medication containing titanium dioxide, and both times the side effects from the drug were enough to make me believe that I was dying. I will never take this drug again. |
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anon129231
Post 4 |
I have just discovered a nasty allergy to titanium dioxide. I have never heard of another. I am 64 years old and only realized this product was the cause of serious stomach pain. Now I cannot wear makeup (I have always had trouble with it, runny eyes and tight itchy skin just didn't know why). I have red hair and the skin that goes with it and cant wear sunscreen, also most multi vitamins and some prescription meds have this mineral in them. |
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WaterHopper
Post 3 |
Titanium alloys are very strong and durable. They are also resistant to high temperatures. It has been claimed that it is as durable as steel, just 50% lighter.
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chrisinbama
Post 2 |
Titanium dioxide was actually discovered at the beginning of the 19th century. It wasn’t until much later that it was released to wider use. It is the most widely used white pigment in the world. It is used in the form of odorless powder and is used to provide whiteness to products such as enamel, porcelain, plastic, paper, and paint. It is also used in sun block, creams, and toothpaste.
One of the great things about titanium dioxide is that it has the ability to disinfect and clean itself when it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. For that reason, it is used often in the medical industry.
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