Titanium dioxide is a white mineral commonly used in cosmetics, sunscreen, food, and construction materials due to its high refractive properties. It can be extracted from titanium tetrachloride or ilmenite. Concerns have been raised about workplace toxicity, but it is considered safe for human consumption in small amounts as a food additive.
Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring oxide of the element titanium. Also known as titanium (IV) oxide or titania, this substance also occurs in nature as three mineral compounds known as anatase, brookite and rutile. However, it is most commonly extracted from titanium tetrachloride by carbon reduction and reoxidation. Alternatively, it can be machined from another oxide called ilmenite, which is subjected to reduction with sulfuric acid to obtain pure titanium dioxide.
There are numerous industrial applications for this mineral. For one thing, it has very high refractive properties. In fact, titanium dioxide is one of the whitest known materials to exist on Earth, earning 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 an important component of sunscreen to discourage 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 brightens 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 greens, as well as beer and wine.
Because this substance reflects light so well, it is ideal for use as a protective coating for many products, such as automotive parts and optical mirrors. It is also embedded in the paint. In fact, due to its refractive ability, it is a component of the paints used to coat cars, boats and airplanes. Additionally, titanium dioxide is found in a number of building and construction materials. The plastic industry also uses it as a coating to absorb UV light and increase durability.
As titanium dioxide accounts for approximately 70% of commercially used pigment globally, concerns have been raised about its workplace toxicity. In response, a number of global agencies have advised manufacturers to update their 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 as a potential carcinogen based on the incidence rate of respiratory tract cancer in rats after prolonged inhalation of titanium dioxide dust particles. However, as a food additive in minimal quantities, this material is considered safe for human consumption.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
