Does Titanium Dioxide Cause Cancer

Titanium dioxide is a white pigment that finds use across industries as a white pigment, opacifier and brightener. There are two primary forms of titanium dioxide: fine particles and nanoparticles, the former making over 98% of total production.

Possible Cancer Causes

There are several uses of fine particle titanium dioxide such as paints, coatings, inks, plastics, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food additives. At the same time, TiO2 Nanoparticles is popular in applications that require very fine grade materials. A good example of such application is the sunscreens.

Stemming from the ultrafine nature of nanoparticles, their use is said to be more carcinogenic in comparison with fine particles.

Let’s look at some possible scenarios in titanium dioxide:

1. Inhalation

You will find multiple products containing TiO2 pressed powders or loose powders. In such applications it isn’t unimaginable that you may inhale titanium dioxide particles contained in pharmaceuticals, make up and sprays for styling hair.

The international body focused on cancer research regards inhalation of titanium dioxide in such form as potentially carcinogenic. The aforementioned conclusion is thanks to research that exposed rats and mice to copious amounts of titanium dioxide dust.

A worrying observation was that the animals developed significant inflammation in the lungs and their cells exhibited mutations similar to cancerous cells. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles presented the greatest concern as it portended the particles were small enough to penetrate the alveoli.

Nonetheless, in 2020, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) adopted the following opinions by virtue of their assessments on safety:

• Use of fine particle titanium dioxide in aerosol spray products for hair at concentrations reaching 25% was unsafe for general consumers.
• However, for loose powders used in make-up products, use of fine particle titanium dioxide reaching concentrations of 25% was generally safe.

In 2020, there are certain types of TiO2 which the EU commission classified as Category 2 carcinogens. These are mainly powders when inhaled. Upon reevaluation, it was invalidated by a General Court of the European Union judgment in 2022.

The decision was buttressed on two key factors:

• An error in the study’s prior determination on reliability and satisfactoriness upon which the classification was initially established, and that
• A substance only warrants classification as a carcinogen if in and by itself, can cause cancer.

Currently, credible and precise research-based evidence indicating a link between titanium dioxide exposure, including nanoparticles, and cancer in humans are absent.

2. Skin Absorption

Titanium dioxide finds use in many skin care products where it is typically employed alongside substances such as alumina and silica. Some of these applications include sunscreens for UV protection and make-up products like powders, blushes and eye shadows.

Products containing titanium dioxide applied directly over the skin surface can bring about allergic reactions by sensitive, skin. However, while there’ve been concerns over its safety regarding its toxicity and carcinogenic tendencies, research has proved otherwise.

Several research efforts geared towards determining the skin penetration ability of titanium dioxide have contradicted the hypothesis. The conclusion is that such particles, even nanoparticles, of titanium dioxide, barely make it beyond the stratum corneum. You will find Titanium dioxide in cosmetics.

3. Oral Intake

Ultimately, given titanium dioxide’s classification as possibly carcinogenic, concerns over its use are bound to be raised.

An evaluation by a food safety multinational in 2016 concluded it was highly unlikely for titanium dioxide to be absorbed. Furthermore, the conclusion was that particles that made their way into the digestive system were excreted via the rectal unit.

The evaluation nonetheless conceded that, ultimately, some trace amounts of titanium dioxide particles would find their way into the lymphatic system. While this meant it could potentially reach other organs, it failed to elaborate the health effect of this absorption.

There was a study conducted in 2019 called. “Food Additive Titanium Dioxide and Its Fate in Commercial Foods”.

It deduced that titanium dioxide particles were larger, not nanoparticles. Additionally, they exhibited an agglomerated form with limited cytotoxicity.

Another study focused on determining suitability of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in food as well as cosmetic use was published in 2020. On the matter of titanium dioxide absorption within the body, it concluded it was highly unlikely.

Even with these, the determination remained inconclusive as to whether TiO2 has toxic effects on food products.

Nevertheless, the researchers pointed out to the possibility of elevated levels of intake of titanium dioxide initiating carcinogenesis.

Classification of Titanium Dioxide as a Carcinogen

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is a multinational agency operating independently under the world body concerned with human health. Its primary objective is to conduct and facilitate novel studies seeking to determine the origins of cancer.

After conducting years of research in cancer, the IARC came up with a nomenclature describing the risk posed by substances. This nomenclature classifies substances into four groups: 1, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4, where 1 is carcinogenic and 4 probably not.

The group 2B in which titanium dioxide is aptly classed suggests it could be carcinogenic, though there’s no conclusive human-based research.

Conclusion

To answer the question does titanium dioxide cause cancer, conclusions drawn from research are inadequate and inconclusive. It is therefore correct to conclude that titanium dioxide cannot be fingered as a direct cause of any cancer form.

Studies undertaken on mice exposing them to titanium dioxide pointed to organ inflammation as would be initiated by a carcinogen. However, their use of extreme quantities of titanium dioxide than the average human can consume have led to their rejection.

For any queries about titanium dioxide safety, contact Inter Chemical China.