According to the EFSA's Expert Panel on Food Additives and Flavorings 2021 opinion regarding titanium dioxide, it could not rule out a concern for genotoxicity from ingestion of the material based on a perceived gap in data on this risk, which serves as the basis for current ban, said a March report on the decision.

This cytotoxic effect was also reported before; i.e. Natarajan et al. conducted an experiment that found a strong oxidative stress, morphological changes in mitochondria and substantial loss in the fusion of primary hepatocytes exposed to P25TiO₂NPs [52].

Titanium dioxide morning tips
1 Rutile type titanium dioxide
As of the close of last Friday, the average price of the sulfuric acid rutile titanium dioxide market assessment is 15683 yuan/ton, the domestic market mainstream negotiation reference 15200-16200 yuan/ton, the mainstream factory in hand orders are okay, coupled with the upstream raw materials expected to be strong, the new single offer to maintain a strong state, the market low price supply reduction.
According to the feedback of manufacturers, the recent mainstream factory new single price, the overall market transaction focus has moved up. On the demand side, the terminal in August is still the off-season, many downstream last month to replenish just need inventory, the current batch purchase intention is limited, the market turnover is low. From the supply side, the mainstream manufacturers still have production reduction or maintenance adjustment inventory in the off-season, and the supply side output is low. Some plastics and papermaking related downstream feedback some models have high prices. Recent titanium dioxide raw material price upward support has been enhanced, comprehensive market factors, the current titanium dioxide market into the stable price state after rising.
2 Anatase titanium dioxide
As of the close of last Friday, the average price of the domestic anatene titanium dioxide market was estimated at 13,000 yuan/ton, and the mainstream reference range for negotiation was mostly centered on 12,500-13,500 yuan/ton. The actual direct selling link price is still more reference in 13,000 yuan/ton. Some lower-priced producers offer even lower prices. On the demand side, because the current price is still relatively low, some downstream bargain purchasing. On the supply side, some manufacturers operate at low load or have maintenance plans. The comprehensive market supply and demand situation and the trend of raw material prices rise, the current market actual transaction price is stable and strong, some manufacturers of titanium diox

Titanium dioxide is often used as a UV absorber and pigment in cosmetic products, such as foundations, lipsticks, creams, sunscreens and other skin care products. It helps protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays by blocking them, while providing a brightening effect.

What titanium dioxide is really emblematic of ... is the failure of FDA to look back at these old decisions and ask whether its decisions that were made in this case ... 56 years ago (in the 1966 approval) still hold up, he said.

4. Emergency procedures The MSDS should outline steps to take in the event of an accident or exposure to lithopone, including first aid measures and contact information for emergency responders.

Still many experts say the body of research does not support the current health concerns being expressed about titanium dioxide.

Barium sulphate is typically described as a white, odorless powder. This white coloration is due to its crystalline structure and the arrangement of Ba^2+ and SO₄^2− ions within the compound. The brightness and consistency of this white powder are crucial for its use in various applications. For instance, in the pharmaceutical industry, barium sulphate is used as a radiopaque agent in X-ray imaging of the gastrointestinal tract. In this context, its purity and the absence of color impurities are vital for ensuring accurate imaging results.

Different dermal cell types have been reported to differ in their sensitivity to nano-sized TiO₂ . Kiss et al. exposed human keratinocytes (HaCaT), human dermal fibroblast cells, sebaceous gland cells (SZ95) and primary human melanocytes to 9 nm-sized TiO₂ particles at concentrations from 0.15 to 15 μg/cm² for up to 4 days. The particles were detected in the cytoplasm and perinuclear region in fibroblasts and melanocytes, but not in kerati-nocytes or sebaceous cells. The uptake was associated with an increase in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. A dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell proliferation was evident in all cell types, whereas in fibroblasts an increase in cell death via apoptosis has also been observed. Anatase TiO₂ in 20–100 nm-sized form has been shown to be cytotoxic in mouse L929 fibroblasts. The decrease in cell viability was associated with an increase in the production of ROS and the depletion of glutathione. The particles were internalized and detected within lysosomes. In human keratinocytes exposed for 24 h to non-illuminated, 7 nm-sized anatase TiO_2, a cluster analysis of the gene expression revealed that genes involved in the “inflammatory response” and “cell adhesion”, but not those involved in “oxidative stress” and “apoptosis”, were up-regulated. The results suggest that non-illuminated TiO₂ particles have no significant impact on ROS-associated oxidative damage, but affect the cell-matrix adhesion in keratinocytes in extracellular matrix remodelling. In human keratinocytes, Kocbek et al. investigated the adverse effects of 25 nm-sized anatase TiO₂ (5 and 10 μg/ml) after 3 months of exposure and found no changes in the cell growth and morphology, mitochondrial function and cell cycle distribution. The only change was a larger number of nanotubular intracellular connections in TiO₂-exposed cells compared to non-exposed cells. Although the authors proposed that this change may indicate a cellular transformation, the significance of this finding is not clear. On the other hand, Dunford et al. studied the genotoxicity of UV-irradiated TiO₂ extracted from sunscreen lotions, and reported severe damage to plasmid and nuclear DNA in human fibroblasts. Manitol (antioxidant) prevented DNA damage, implying that the genotoxicity was mediated by ROS.

Rebecca Capua

The pricing of lithopone pigments can fluctuate based on several factors, including raw material costs, production processes, and market demand. Typically, wholesale prices reflect the bulk purchasing power, enabling businesses to acquire these materials at a lower cost per unit. Over the years, the market has seen fluctuations in prices due to changes in the supply chain and global economic conditions. It is crucial for buyers to stay informed about these trends to budget effectively and maintain profitability.

Total zinc and barium sulphate

Developing new Lithopone formulations, one that enhances the properties of the existing Lithopone is anticipated to boost the demand for Lithopone white pigment during the forecast period. Reinforced Lithopone is one such development, wherein a copolymer is added to the polymerization reaction to yield Lithopone with an increased weather resistance and an anti-ultraviolet property. Moreover, development of nano-scale Lithopone is also anticipated to attract market interest during the forecast period.

In a study published in 2022 in the journal Particle and Fibre Technology, researchers examined the impact of maternal exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles in newborn offspring mice. They found that “a chronic exposure to TiO2 NPs during pregnancy alters the respiratory activity of offspring, characterized by an abnormally elevated rate of breathing.” Breathing was also shown to be “significantly and abnormally accelerated,” and the ability for neural circuitry to effectively adjust breathing rates was impaired. The researchers concluded: “Our findings thus demonstrate that a maternal exposure to TiO2 NPs during pregnancy affects the normal development and operation of the respiratory centers in progeny.”

Although barium sulfate is almost completely inert, zinc sulfide degrades upon exposure to UV light, leading to darkening of the pigment. The severity of this UV reaction is dependent on a combination of two factors; how much zinc sulfide makes up the pigments formulation, and its total accumulated UV exposure. Depending on these factors the pigment itself can vary in shade over time, ranging from pure white all the way to grey or even black. To suppress this effect, a dopant may be used, such as a small amount of cobalt salts, which would be added to the formulation. This process creates cobalt-doped zinc sulfide. The cobalt salts help to stabilize zinc sulfide so it will not have as severe a reaction to UV exposure.