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Is titanium dioxide harmful? What foods is it used in? Are there alternatives? These are all questions being asked about an ingredient in food products most of us consume on a regular basis.
Some food companies have taken the initiative to remove titanium dioxide from some of their products. An amendment has been made by policymakers to ban titanium dioxide in France.
Is this ingredient that sounds like it is part metal, part chemical safe? We reached out to Paul Westerhoff, PhD, PE, BCEE, Vice Dean for Research and Innovation, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University for some answers.
&#;I don&#;t think TiO2 [titanium dioxide] poses a human health risk,&#; he said.
What is titanium dioxide and why is it used in food production?
Dr. Westerhoff: &#;Titanium dioxide is a common additive in many food, personal care, and other consumer products. It is sometimes used as a whitener and sometimes as an anti-caking agent (to prevent the product from clumping). Titanium dioxide also gives some products texture &#;It can also be used to create abrasion, as is found in some toothpastes.&#;
What products contain titanium dioxide?
Dr. Westerhoff: &#;Titanium dioxide is most commonly found in candies, sweets and chewing gums. it&#;s used in some chocolate to give it a smooth texture and is used in doughnuts to provide color and texture. Among personal care items, it&#;s most commonly found in toothpaste and some sunscreen lotions.&#;
Is titanium dioxide safe for human consumption?
Dr. Westerhoff: &#;Although there is not a lot of information available on the risks associated with consumption of titanium dioxide, it is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Research conducted by Arizona State University analyzed numerous readily-available products for the presence of titanium dioxide, including powdered doughnuts, chewing gum, whipped frosting, vanilla pudding and chocolate bars. Our research found the presence of titanium dioxide in the products tested, and also found that up to 5 percent of the titanium dioxide in some products was in the form of nanoparticles. Toxicity studies on nanoparticles in titanium dioxide have mainly focused on risks associated with inhalation and not consumption.
&#;Children are exposed to more titanium dioxide than adults due to diet. Their diets consist of more candies, sweets and gum, but this tends to change as children get older.&#;
Are there alternatives to titanium dioxide that food companies could use?
Dr. Westerhoff: &#;Other ingredients that could possibly be used in place of titanium dioxide include calcium phosphate and silica dioxide.&#;
In addition to Dr. Westerhoff&#;s expert insight, we found this article in The Conversation that addressed questions about titanium dioxide. Some key takeaways:
Additional Resources:
Weir, A., Westerhoff, P., Fabricius, L., Hristovski, K., von Goetz, N. &#;Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Food and Personal Care Products,&#; Environmental Science and Technology ()
Singh, G., Stephan, C., Westerhoff, P., Carlander, D., Duncan, T. &#;Measurement Methods to Detect, Characterize, and Quantify Engineered Nanomaterials in Foods,&#;Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety ()
Originally posted April 2, .
Image: &#;IMG__a.JPG&#; by dieraecheri
Environmental Engineering
CAS Registry No.: -67-7
Other Names: TiO2, Titanium white
Main Uses: Pigment, filler, opacifying agent
Appearance: White powder.
Odour: Odourless
Canadian TDG: Not specifically listed in Canadian TDG Regulations, but may be regulated as part of a chemical family or group Not Otherwise Specified (N.O.S.). Consult the regulations.
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The Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) has not classified titanium dioxide (as reviewed on February 22, ).
Note that titanium dioxide has been classified by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) as A3 &#; Confirmed animal carcinogen, and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Emergency Overview: White powder. Odourless. Will not burn. SUSPECT CANCER HAZARD. Suspected of causing cancer, if inhaled.
Main Routes of Exposure: Inhalation; skin contact; eye contact.
Inhalation: Take precautions to ensure your own safety before attempting rescue (e.g., wear appropriate protective equipment). Move victim to fresh air.
Skin Contact: Quickly and gently blot or brush away excess chemical. Wash gently and thoroughly with gently flowing water and non-abrasive soap.
Eye Contact: Quickly and gently blot or brush chemical off the face. Immediately flush the contaminated eye(s) with gently flowing water, occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. If irritation or pain persists, see a medical professional.
Ingestion: Have victim rinse mouth with water. Get medical attention if the victim feels unwell.
First Aid Comments: If exposed or concerned, see a medical professional for advice. All first aid procedures should be periodically reviewed by a medical professional familiar with the chemical and its conditions of use in the workplace.
Flammable Properties: Does not burn.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Not combustible. Use extinguishing agent suitable for surrounding fire.
Specific Hazards Arising from the Chemical: None known.
Personal Precautions: Keep unnecessary and unprotected personnel out of spill area. Use personal protective equipment as required.
Methods for Containment and Clean-up: Avoid generating dust. Collect using shovel/scoop or approved HEPA vacuum and place in a suitable container for disposal. Avoid dry sweeping. If necessary, use a dust suppressant such as water. Do not use compressed air for clean-up.
Handling: Before handling, it is important that all engineering controls are operating and that protective equipment requirements and personal hygiene measures are being followed. Immediately report leaks, spills or failures of the safety equipment (e.g., ventilation system). Avoid generating dusts. Keep containers tightly closed when not in use or empty. Prevent unintentional contact with incompatible chemicals.
Storage: Store in tightly closed, properly labelled containers.
ACGIH® TLV® - TWA:
Nanoscale particles: 0.2 mg/m3 A3
Finescale particles: 2.5 mg/m3 A3
Exposure Guideline Comments: TLV® = Threshold Limit Value. TWA = Time-Weighted Average. A3 = Confirmed animal carcinogen.
Adapted from: TLVs® and BEIs® - Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices. Cincinnati: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
NOTE: In many (but not all) Canadian jurisdictions, the exposure limits are similar to the ACGIH® TLVs®. Since legislation varies by jurisdiction, contact your local jurisdiction for exact details. A list is available in the OSH Answers on Canadian Governmental Occupational Health & Safety Departments.
A list of which acts and regulations that cover exposure limits to chemical and biological agents is available on our website. Please note that while you can see the list of legislation for free, you will need a subscription to view the actual documentation.
Engineering Controls: Use a local exhaust ventilation and enclosure, if necessary, to control amount in the air.
Eye/Face Protection: Wear chemical safety goggles.
Skin Protection: Coveralls or long sleeve shirts and pants.
Respiratory Protection:
At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode; or Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus.
APF = Assigned Protection Factor
Recommendations apply only to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved respirators. Refer to the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards for more information.
NOTE: NIOSH has classified this substance as a potential occupational carcinogen, according to specific NIOSH criteria. This classification is reflected in these recommendations for respiratory protection, which specify that only the most reliable and protective respirators be worn at any detectable concentration. The requirements in Canadian jurisdictions may vary.
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