Is Titanium Dioxide Safe?

This is one of the commonly debated questions regarding the consumption of titanium dioxide. The question about whether it’s safe for consumption has spiked controversial opinions which this guide addresses.

Keep reading.

Safety of Titanium Dioxide on Various Products

1. Safety of Titanium Dioxide in Tampons and Pads

While some people believe that tampons with titanium dioxide are toxic, others have criticized the claims. According to some social media users, it is not only believed to be carcinogenic in the long run but also causes ovarian cysts. However, these claims are yet to be proven.

Most tampon manufacturers follow the regulations regarding the use of titanium dioxide. This way, a level of quality and safety assurance is met and this makes tampons safe for use.

2. Is Titanium Dioxide Safe in Skin?

To begin with, it’s vital to understand that titanium dioxide has minimal penetration into the skin. In most cases, non-nano titanium dioxide. Nonetheless, the main concern is on the nanoparticles which can penetrate the skin and be a threat to your health.

3. Titanium Dioxide Safety in Sunscreen

Sunscreens can easily contaminate other species in the environment and that’s why the use of a non-nano titanium dioxide is recommended. As much as no study has confirmed its toxicity, you should be extra cautious when using spray sunscreen products.

In most cases, they contain nanoparticles that are very tiny and can easily be ingested into the body through inhalation.

4. Is Titanium Dioxide in Makeup Safe?

It is not 100% a safe ingredient in makeup products. It’s worth noting that titanium dioxide has been declared a level 2 carcinogen. Meaning, it has a probability of causing cancer in humans.

Any type of makeup in the form of powder is most likely subject to titanium dioxide which could potentially be harmful when inhaled. To be safer, check for “non-nano” on the TiO2 makeup ingredients.

5. How Safe is Titanium Dioxide in Soap?

Titanium dioxide is used to enhance color in soap and does not pose any risks or safety concerns when used in small quantities. Opting for non-nano titanium dioxide is much safer when making or selecting soaps.

6. How Safe Is Titanium Dioxide When Used in Toothpaste?

Research conducted in July 2020 concluded that one of its effects is causing liver cancer.

Nevertheless, the amount and frequency of titanium dioxide consumption are the major cause of such deadly illnesses. This risk is most prevalent among children since they are more likely to consume toothpaste compared to adults.

7. Is Titanium Dioxide Safe on Eyeshadow?

It is scientifically proven that titanium dioxide doesn’t pose any risk when used in small portions. Furthermore, it’s difficult for titanium dioxide to diffuse into the skin and thus there’s less probability of causing harm. Should you need to get an eyeshadow, you might want to check for the “non-nano” ones.

8. Is Titanium Dioxide in Medicine Harmful?

No, titanium dioxide in medicine is not harmful. Most pharmaceuticals use it as per the stipulated regulations and thus safety is upheld.

Failure to do this might result in side effects such as eye, throat, and nose irritation. All these might occur only if it’s ingested in high concentration over a period of time.

9. How Safe is Titanium Dioxide in Shampoo?

Generally, titanium dioxide is not 100% safe and this includes in shampoos. Some studies however claim that a maximum of 25% titanium dioxide concentration in shampoo is safe.

As compared to powders and sprays, shampoo cannot be inhaled and this reduces the potential health risk factors associated with titanium dioxide.

10. How Much of Titanium Dioxide Is Safe For Use In Sunscreen?

Titanium dioxide concentration in sunscreen should range from a minimum of 10% to a maximum of 25%. It’s important to understand that products containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles are not included in this.

11. Safety of Titanium Dioxide in Plastic Manufacturing

Titanium dioxide is one of the main components used in the manufacturing of plastics. As such, workers in this setting need to protect themselves from the adverse effects of long-term exposure to titanium dioxide.

Remember, titanium dioxide is considered a harmless substance only if consumed in the right quantities and form. Nanoparticles that can easily be inhaled during plastic manufacturing might result in the development of illnesses.

12. How Safe is Titanium Dioxide in Soap for Children?

Children’s products are normally mild to suit developing skin in children. As such, soaps used by children are manufactured using proper mild ingredients while adhering to regulations.

Titanium dioxide is also recommended by pediatricians when treating some skin conditions such as eczema.

13. Safety of Non-nano Titanium Dioxide for Reefs

Non-nano titanium dioxide is safe for reefs. Non-nano titanium dioxide has larger particles which make it difficult to penetrate into the reefs. As a result, the reefs are unable to ingest nano titanium dioxide which could be harmful.

14. Is Titanium Dioxide in Dove Soap Safe?

Just like many other soaps, Dove soap contains titanium dioxide as an ingredient. As long as it’s used externally, titanium dioxide in Dove soap is not harmful. Nevertheless, it might have some effects when used on sensitive skin.

15. How Safe is Titanium Dioxide as A Soap Colorant?

Titanium dioxide is safe for use is soaps to enhance the color and can also be used in hot and cold process soaps. Non-nano titanium dioxide is much recommended compared to nano titanium dioxide. At the end of the day, you’re looking to get a safe product and so the non-nano one is always the best in terms of safety.

16. Titanium Dioxide Safety in Lipstick

Titanium dioxide is generally safe for external use.

With that in mind, as much as lipsticks are used externally, there is a high probability of ingesting them unknowingly. Worse enough is if there is the presence of nanoparticles in the lipstick.

17. Is Titanium Dioxide a Safe Ingredient in Paint?

Yes. Paint can neither be ingested nor applied onto the body and therefore it’s impossible for particles to access the body. As a result, it poses no health risk to the user.

18. Is Titanium Dioxide Safe to Eat

In the right form and proportion, it is safe to eat. In as much as titanium dioxide is also known to be toxic, it has however not been officially confirmed. Furthermore, most food products that contain titanium dioxide are regulated by different regulatory bodies worldwide.

More practically, if you want to avoid landing your hands on an unsafe product, it’s always best to check out for the form of titanium dioxide used (whether non-nano” or “nano”).

19. How Safe is Titanium Dioxide in Pads?

Titanium dioxide is safe in pads. It’s only a small percentage (0.1%) of it that is used in pads and tampons. On top of that, the nanoparticles are normally insoluble thereby making it impossible to dissolve in blood and get absorbed into the body.

20. Safety of Titanium Dioxide in Creamers

When there are studies and regulatory bodies that rule out the toxicity of titanium dioxide, there’s always a good chance that it’s safe. In creamers, it’s only a small fraction of titanium dioxide that’s added and studies show that it doesn’t pose any health risks.

21. How Much Titanium Dioxide Is Safe to Eat in Food Additives

In as much as there are some controversial views regarding the safety of titanium dioxide, most researchers approve of it. The amount consumed in food is so minimal to be toxic for human consumption. FDA recommends non more than 1% in foods products.

22. How Much Titanium Dioxide Is Safe to Environment?

Nano titanium dioxide is toxic to the environment and humans. This is because they exist in very tiny particles that can easily be inhaled or absorbed by environmental species. For that reason, it’s also recommended to use non-nano sunscreens since they’re neither harmful to reefs nor humans.

Is Nano Titanium Dioxide Safe

Nano titanium dioxide is not safe. Existing studies have found it to be toxic to living species and it’s easy to see why. Owing to its tiny particles, it can be inhaled and absorbed easily.

Not only can it cause cancer and respiratory complications but also skin irritation, inflammation as well as reproductive issues.

What’s more, it’s harmful to other environmental species such as reefs. So really, it’s one of the substances that you might want to look out for when purchasing your daily products.

Various Regulations and Approvals of Titanium Dioxide

Various regulatory bodies worldwide work on ensuring safety of food products for consumption through enacting titanium dioxide regulations such as:

• Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 allows titanium dioxide to be used as a food colorant.
• Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/217 pushes for the classification and labeling of titanium dioxide. Under the EUH212, titanium dioxide must have a warning label to sensitize users to possible toxicity. Also, it needs to be classified among carcinogenic substances. This can either be when inhaled or in mixtures that exceed 1% of titanium dioxide particles.

Several regulatory bodies have approved the use of titanium dioxide as a safe substance. Some of these bodies include:

• United States FDA
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand
• UK Food Standards Agency (FSA)
• Health Canada

However, the European Commission does not approve of the safety of titanium dioxide. Following its doubt on the safety, the European Commission has banned the use of titanium dioxide. It cites the presence of possible carcinogens which could be toxic.

Potential Health Effects of Using Titanium Dioxide

Not only can you be exposed to nano titanium dioxide through inhalation but also through eye and skin contact. Inhaling titanium dioxide might result in nose and throat irritation. The same applies when in contact with skin.

Once it gets into your eye, it causes an uncomfortable feeling as such there’s a foreign object.

Titanium dioxide is also linked to lung cancer. However, this conclusion is derived from animal studies. This makes it easy to see why titanium dioxide has been classified under group 2B carcinogen.

Conclusion

As you can see, titanium dioxide forms a basic ingredient in many products. Although there has been some risk concerns, it is generally safe.

For any questions or inquiry on titanium dioxide safety, contact INTER-CHINA CHEMICAL now.