News from CRIS: Everyday Toxicology - Exposure to Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide

June 11, 2020

What is titanium dioxide?

Titanium is a common metal element frequently found throughout nature. In our environment, titanium is naturally exposed to oxygen, forming titanium oxides that we find in many minerals, dusts, sands, and soils.
 
Titanium dioxide is one of the many oxides formed naturally in our environment. Manufacturers source this mined-mineral from rutile, brookite, and anatase. It is then processed and refined to meet stringent safety guidelines based on the end-use for the mineral.
 
Titanium dioxide is an insoluble mineral, meaning it cannot dissolve in water. Known for its bright, white pigment, manufacturers use titanium dioxide in many different capacities, including in cosmetics, foods, and drugs.
 
When manufacturers add titanium dioxide to foods and other ingestible products, it’s typically referred to as E171, as this relates to food-grade purity.

...

Read the entire blog post at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/everyday-toxicology-exposure-to-ingredients-titanium-dioxide