stretching chain link fence

In a study published in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology in 2020, researchers examined the effects of food additives titanium dioxide and silica on the intestinal tract by grouping and feeding mice three different food-grade particles — micro-TiO2, nano-TiO2, and nano-SiO2.  With all three groups, researchers observed changes in the gut microbiota, particularly mucus-associated bacteria. Furthermore, all three groups experienced inflammatory damage to the intestine, but the nano-TiO2 displayed the most pronounced changes. The researchers wrote: “Our results suggest that the toxic effects on the intestine were due to reduced intestinal mucus barrier function and an increase in metabolite lipopolysaccharides which activated the expression of inflammatory factors downstream. In mice exposed to nano-TiO2, the intestinal PKC/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway was activated. These findings will raise awareness of toxicities associated with the use of food-grade TiO2 and SiO2.”

② Plastics: At present, it is the second largest user of titanium dioxide pigments, accounting for about 20% of the total demand for titanium dioxide. The amount of titanium dioxide used in plastic products will vary with the use requirements, generally between 0.5% and 5%. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the production of plastic products in China increased from 57.81 million tons in 2012 to 81.84 million tons in 2019, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The amount of titanium dioxide increases accordingly.

Yet another study, this one published in 2006 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer said there was insufficient evidence to conclude that titanium dioxide causes cancer. However, the study also categorized the ingredient as a potential human carcinogen.

References