TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)
Colorant; Opacifying Agent; Sunscreen Agent; Ultraviolet Light Absorber
Also listed as
TITANIUM DIOXIDE, PIGMENT WHITE 6; AMORPHOUS TITANIUM DIOXIDE; CI 77891; MICRO PARTICLE TITANIUM DIOXIDE; TITANIUM DIOXIDE SOL; TITANIUM OXIDE; TITANIUM DIOXIDE; TITANIUM DIOXIDE; TITANIUM OXIDE (TIO2) ; TIO2; 1385RN 59; 1700 WHITE
Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.
| This ingredient: | |
 | Cancer |
 | Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
| Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
| Contamination concerns |
 | Other strong concerns for this ingredient: Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes |
| Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
 | Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Data gaps |
|
See products containing TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | |
About TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO): Titanium dioxide has a long history of use in sunscreen and other products. It appears safe for use on skin, due to low penetration but inhalation is a concern. Some titanium sunscreens containing nano-size particles may have greater toxicity to body tissues and environment.
ingredient UV blocking strength
| common sunscreen concentrations |
UV blocking strength |
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4.5% |
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6.0% |
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7.0% |
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10.0% |
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19.0% |
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25.0% |
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TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) has reported used in the following product types: lipstick (1783); eye shadow (1632); foundation (1465); lip gloss (1263); mascara (860); blush (692); hair color and bleaching (669); facial powder (652); eye liner (638); nail polish (631)
Cancer
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Limited evidence of carcinogenicity | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens |
| Limited evidence of carcinogenicity | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | NIOSH Occupational Carcinogens |
| show more | ||
Biochemical or cellular level changes
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease. | Brezová V, Gabčová S, Dvoranová D et al, 2005 | |
| One or more animal studies show respiratory changes at very low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | Chen HW, Su SF, Chien CT, Lin WH, Yu SL, Chou CC, et al, 2006 |
| One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at very low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood | RTECS®- Toxicologist 2005 | |
| show more | ||
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show immune effects at low doses | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | Ahn MH, Kang CM, et al, 2005 |
| show more | ||
Occupational hazards
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | National Library of Medicine HazMap | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show respiratory effects at very low doses | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | Chen HW, Su SF, Chien CT, Lin WH, Yu SL, Chou CC, et al, 2006 |
| One or more animal studies show respiratory effects at very low doses | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | RTECS®- Toxicologist 2005 |
| One or more animal studies show cardiovascular effects at very low doses | RTECS®- Toxicologist 2005 | |
| One or more animal studies show respiratory effects at very low doses | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | RTECS®- Toxicologist 2002 |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| Classified as medium human health priority | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show significant but moderate pulmonary irritation at low doses | products that may be aerosolized (airborne) | Grassian VH, O |
| show more | ||
Decreased skin absorption
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| No absorption into intact skin | Gamer, A, 2006 | |
| show more | ||
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List |
Multiple, additive exposure sources
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Everything Added to Food |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | ||
| 3,947 studies on toxicity in PubMed see search results -> | PubMed |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | •Limited evidence in humans: immune system toxicity; Condition: immune suppression; Organs/tissues affected: |
| FDA Color Additive Status | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | •Color additive approved by FDA for use in cosmetics •Color additive approved by FDA for cosmetics used around eyes |
| FDA Color Additive Status | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | •Color additive used in medical devices |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | • Fully up-to-date toxicology information has been sought. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | TITANIUM OXIDE (TIO2) | •This chemical was deemed a moderate human health priority and was flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected persistence. |
| CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | •Color Additives - Exempt from Batch Certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | •PEL (OSHA) - Permissible exposure limit (OSHA): 15 mg/m3, total dust; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 10 mg/m3; •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 5000 mg/m3; •MAK - Maximum Allowable Concentration (Federal Republic of Germany): 1.5 mg/m3, respirable fraction; |
| Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | •IARC Group 2B: possible human carcinogen (International Agency for Research on Carcinogens) |
| NIOSH Occupational Carcinogens | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | •Potential occupational carcinogen according to NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) |
| Gamer, A, 2006 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | The amounts of titanium found in the tape strips and skin preparations were in the order of the analytical determination limit. No Ti was found in the receptor fluid at any sampling time. |
| Nohynek GJ, Lademann J, Ribaud C, Roberts MS, 2007 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | Many modern cosmetic or sunscreen products contain nano-sized components. Nanoemulsions are transparent and have unique tactile and texture properties; nanocapsule, nanosome, noisome, or liposome formulations contain small vesicles (range: 50 to 5000 nm) |
| Chen HW, Su SF, Chien CT, Lin WH, Yu SL, Chou CC, et al, 2006 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE NANOPARTICLES | Aerosolized nano-sized particles can cause can induce pulmonary emphysema, macrophages accumulation, extensive disruption of alveolar septa, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, and epithelial cell apoptosis at very low doses. |
| Mavon A, Miquel C, Lejeune O, Payre B, Moretto P, 2007 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | No TiO(2) was detected in the follicle, viable epidermis or dermis following skin application. |
| Grassian VH, O | NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE | Mice subacutely exposed to 2-5 nm TiO(2) nanoparticles showed a significant but moderate inflammatory response among animals at week 0, 1, or 2 after exposure that resolved by week 3 postexposure. |
| Ahn MH, Kang CM, et al, 2005 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | TiO2 induces goblet cell hyperplasia (GCH) and Muc5ac expression, and this process may be associated with increased production of Interlleukin-13 by mast cells. |
| Ahn MH, Kang CM, Park CS, Park SJ, Rhim T, Yoon PO, Chang HS, Kim SH, Kyono H, Kim KC, 2005 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | TiO2 induces goblet cell hyperplasia (GCH) and Muc5ac expression, and this process may be associated with increased production of Interleukin-13 by mast cells. |
| Brezová V, Gabčová S, Dvoranová D et al, 2005 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | Sunscreen-extracted TiO2 generated oxygen-centered reactive radical species. |
| Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and non-food products intended for consumers concerning Titanium Dioxide, 2000 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | SCCNFP review of Titanium Dioxide did not identify relevant in vivo reproductive/developmental toxicity studies |
| California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, 2004 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE | •Cancer hazards: suspected |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- "Cutaneous Toxicity, Proceedings of the 3rd Conference, 1976," Drill, V 1977 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • skin - Primary skin irritant ( human ) |
| RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1993 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Micronucleus test (mouse ipr) |
| RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1993 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Micronucleus test (mouse ipr) |
| RTECS®- Environmental Mutagen Society 37th Annual Meeting Abstracts 2006 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Damage ( human lng) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1998 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Micronucleus test (hamster ovr) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Sister Chromatid Exchange (hamster ovr) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1998 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Micronucleus test (hamster ovr) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Sister Chromatid Exchange (hamster ovr) |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2005 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • biochemical - Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation (rat TCLo) • respiratory - Other changes (rat TCLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2005 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • respiratory - Other changes (rat TDLo) • cardiovascular - Regional or general arteriolar constriction (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2002 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • respiratory - Other changes (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2002 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • biochemical - Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation (rat TDLo) • respiratory - Other changes (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology In Vitro 1987 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Inhibition (hamster lng) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology In Vitro 1987 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Inhibition (hamster lng) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology Letters 2003 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | |
| RTECS®- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances 1994 | TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO) | • gastrointestinal - Hypermotility, diarrhea (rat TDLo) • gastrointestinal - Other changes (rat TDLo) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| CHE Toxicant and Disease Database | CHE (The Collaborative on Health and the Environment). 2006. Toxicant and Disease Database. |
| FDA Color Additive Status | FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Color Additive Status List. September 2006. |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook | CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association). 2006. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, 11th Edition. Color Additive Information. Washington, DC. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents. |
| Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens | IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). 2008. Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity to Humans, as evaluated in IARC Monographs Volumes 1-99 (a total of 935 agents, mixtures and exposures). |
| NIOSH Occupational Carcinogens | NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). 2006. NIOSH Carcinogens List (Potential occupational carcinogens). http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npotocca.html. |
| Open scientific literature | Gamer, A. O., E. Leibold, et al. (2006). "The in vitro absorption of microfine zinc oxide and titanium dioxide through porcine skin." Toxicology in Vitro 20: 301-307. |
| Open scientific literature | Nohynek GJ, Lademann J, Ribaud C, Roberts MS. 2007. Grey goo on the skin? Nanotechnology, cosmetic and sunscreen safety. Crit Rev Toxicol 37(3): 251-277. |
| Open scientific literature | Chen HW, Su SF, Chien CT, Lin WH, Yu SL, Chou CC, et al. 2006. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce emphysema-like lung injury in mice. Faseb J 20(13): 2393-2395. |
| Open scientific literature | Mavon A, Miquel C, Lejeune O, Payre B, Moretto P. 2007. In vitro percutaneous absorption and in vivo stratum corneum distribution of an organic and a mineral sunscreen. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 20(1): 10-20. |
| Open scientific literature | Grassian VH, O |
| Open scientific literature | Ahn MH, Kang CM, et al. 2005. Titanium dioxide particle-induced goblet cell hyperplasia: association with mast cells and IL-13. Respir Res. Apr 13;6:34. |
| Open scientific literature | Ahn MH, Kang CM, Park CS, Park SJ, Rhim T, Yoon PO, Chang HS, Kim SH, Kyono H, Kim KC. 2005. Titanium dioxide particle-induced goblet cell hyperplasia: association with mast cells and IL-13. Respir Res. 2005 Apr 13;6:34 |
| Open scientific literature | Brezová V, Gabčová S, Dvoranová D et al. Reactive oxygen species produced upon photoexcitation of sunscreens containing titanium dioxide (an EPR study). Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology 2005; 79 (2):121-34. |
| Open scientific literature | Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and non-food products intended for consumers concerning Titanium Dioxide. Colipa n° S75. Adopted by the SCCNFP during the 14th plenary meeting of 24 October 2000 |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Prioritization Notices. http://www.oehha.org/prop65/CRNR_notices/state_listing/prioritization_notices/index.html. Chemicals on Candidate List for consideration under Proposition 65 due to high carcinogenicity concern (through March 2004). Chemicals under consideration for listing via the authoritative bodies mechanisms (through July 2004). |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
| RTECS®- "Cutaneous Toxicity, Proceedings of the 3rd Conference, 1976," Drill, V 1977 | RTECS®- "Cutaneous Toxicity, Proceedings of the 3rd Conference, 1976," Drill, V.A., and P. Lazar, eds., New York, Academic Press, Inc. 1977 -,127,1977 |
| RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1993 | RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.10- 1987- 21,160,1993 |
| RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1993 | RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.10- 21,160,1993 |
| RTECS®- Environmental Mutagen Society 37th Annual Meeting Abstracts 2006 | RTECS®- Environmental Mutagen Society 37th Annual Meeting Abstracts. Poster Session Abstracts. Poster Session I -,444,2006 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1998 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 414,15,1998 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1998 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- -1964 414,15,1998 |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2005 | RTECS®- Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- -1981 44,213,2005 |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2005 | RTECS®- Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- -1981 44,294,2005 |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2002 | RTECS®- Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- -1981 66,118,2002 |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2002 | RTECS®- Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- -1981 66,353,2002 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology In Vitro 1987 | RTECS®- Toxicology In Vitro. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.1- 1,71,1987 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology In Vitro 1987 | RTECS®- Toxicology In Vitro. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.1- 1987- 1,71,1987 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology Letters 2003 | RTECS®- Toxicology Letters. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 1977- 142,71,2003 |
| RTECS®- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances 1994 | RTECS®- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW, Washington, DC 20460) History unknown. #86940001000,1994 |
"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.
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