| Titanium Dioxide: Toxic or Safe? |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Diseases Finder - provides A large collections of articles, books and magazines about diseases and other such illness.
Warning: include() [function.include]: URL file-access is disabled in the server configuration in /home/disease/public_html/includes/sponsor1a.php on line 18 Warning: include(http://disease.bfoi.net/includes/lw_rads.php?location=3&format=) [function.include]: failed to open stream: no suitable wrapper could be found in /home/disease/public_html/includes/sponsor1a.php on line 18 Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://disease.bfoi.net/includes/lw_rads.php?location=3&format=' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/disease/public_html/includes/sponsor1a.php on line 18 |
|
Titanium Dioxide: Toxic or Safe? Author: Lori Stryker
A carcinogen is a substance that causes a cellular malfunction, causing the cell to become cancerous and thus potentially lethal to the surrounding tissue and ultimately the body as these rapidly growing mutated cells take over. With the surge in cancer rates among all segments of the population, many people are attempting to reduce or eliminate their exposure to carcinogens. Titanium dioxide is regarded as an inert, non-toxic substance by many regulatory bodies such as the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) and others charged with the responsibility of safeguarding the health of occupational workers and public health. The MSDS states that titanium dioxide can cause some lung fibrosis at fifty times the nuisance dust, defined by the US Department of Labor as 15 mg/m cubed (OSHA) or 10 mg/m cubed (ACGIH Threshold Limit Value). The ACGIH states that titanium dioxide is "not classifiable as a human carcinogen". Symptoms of chronic overexposure to titanium dioxide in an industrial setting, according to the MSDS, include a "slight increase in lung tumour incidence in lab rats". It also states "when titanium dioxide was fed to rats/mice in a carcinogen bioassay, it was not carcinogenic". The NIOSH declares that at 5000 mg/m cubed there was slight lung fibrosis, concluding that this substance was carcinogenic in rats. The NIOSH declaration of carcinogenicity in rats is based on a study by Lee, Trochimowicz & Reinhardt, "Pulmonary Response of Rats Exposed to Titanium Dioxide by Inhalation for Two Years" (1985). The authors of this study found that rats chronically exposed to excessive dust loading of 250 mg/m cubed and impaired clearance mechanisms within the rat, for six hours per day, five days per week for two years, developed slight lung tumours. They also noted that the biological relevance of this data to lung tumours in humans is negligible. It is important to note that rats are known to be an extremely sensitive species for developing tumours in the lungs when overloaded with poorly soluble, low toxicity dust particles. Rat lungs process particles very differently compared to larger mammals such as dogs, primates or humans (Warheit, 2004). This sensitivity in the lungs has not been observed in other rodent species such as mice or hamsters (Warheit, 2004), therefore using the rat model to determine carcinogenicity of titanium dioxide in humans can be misleading, as extrapolation of species-specific data to humans is erroneous. Many organizations and businesses have perpetuated this assessment of the carcinogenicity of titanium dioxide (ewg.org). However, several studies and study reviews have been used to compile the safety disclaimers for the regulations on the permitted use of titanium dioxide. One such study review took place in Rome, 1969 between the World Health Organization and the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Cross species analyses were performed and reviewed for possible toxicity of titanium dioxide. The conference concluded that among the following species: rats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats and human males, ingestion of titanium dioxide at varying diet percentages and over long periods of time did not cause absorption of this mineral. Titanium dioxide particulates were not detected in the blood, liver, kidney or urine and no adverse effects were noted from its ingestion. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (2002) allows for its ingestion, external application including the eye area, and considers it a safe substance for public health. Other epidemiological studies showed that workers exposed to titanium dioxide exhibited no statistically significant relationship between such exposure with lung cancer and respiratory disease, although some cases of pulmonary fibrosis did occur. These studies were conducted in industrial settings where the increased exposure puts these individuals more at risk than the average person. Titanium dioxide is listed as a safe pigment, with no known adverse effects. It is not listed as a carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, comedogen, toxin or as a trigger for contact dermatitis in any other safety regulatory publications beside the NIOSH (Antczak, 2001; Physical & Theoretical Chemical Laboratory, Oxford University respectively). It is reasonable to conclude then, that titanium dioxide is not a cancer-causing substance and is generally safe for use in foods, drugs, paints and cosmetics. This does not end the debate, however, as controversy over the safety of one unique form of titanium dioxide still exists. One form of mineral or mineral extract, including titanium dioxide, that we should be concerned about is ultrafine or nano particles. As technology has advanced, so has its ability to take normal sized particles of minerals and reduce them to sizes never before imagined. While many are praising this new technology, others are warning of its inherent dangers to our bodies. A study by Churg et. al. at the University of British Columbia in their paper "Induction of Fibrogenic Mediators by Fine and Ultrafine Titanium Dioxide in Rat Tracheal Explants" (1999) found that ultrafine particles of the anatase form of titanium dioxide, which are less than 0.1 microns, are pathogenic or disease causing (see Table 1). Table 1: Measurements of Mineral Pigment Particles Particle Size| Measurement Coarse| Less than 10 microns Fine| Less than 2.5 microns Ultrafine (nanoparticles)| Less than 0.1 microns or 100 nanometres -etcgroup.org Table 2: Particle Size and Entry into the Human Body Nanoparticle Size| Entry Point 70 nanometres| Alveolar surface of lung 50 nanometres| Cells 30 nanometres| Central Nervous System Less than 20 nanometres| No data yet -etcgroup.org Kumazawa, et. al. in their study, "Effects of Titanium Ions and Particles on Neutrophil Function and Morphology" concluded that cytotoxicity (danger to the cell) was dependent on the particle size of titanium dioxide. The smaller the particle size, the more toxic it is (see Table 2). This conclusion is relevant to the consumer because of the cosmetics industry's increasing use of micronized pigments in sunscreens and colour cosmetics. Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide are used in sunscreens because they are colourless at that size and still absorb ultraviolet light. Many cosmetic companies are capitalizing on metal oxide nanoparticles. We have seen, however, that if titanium dioxide particles used to act as a sunscreen are small enough, they can penetrate the cells, leading to photocatalysis within the cell, causing DNA damage after exposure to sunlight (Powell, et. al. 1996) The fear is that this could lead to cancer in the skin. Studies with subjects who applied sunscreens with micronized titanium dioxide daily for 2-4 weeks showed that the skin can absorb microfine particles. These particles were seen in the percutaneous layers of the skin under UV light. Coarse or fine particles of titanium dioxide are safe and effective at deflecting and absorbing UV light, protecting the skin, but consumers should avoid using products with micronized mineral pigments, either in sunscreens or colour cosmetics. As with any health issue, relevant studies must be examined closely to reach balanced conclusions about its impact on our health and well-being. Often, risk determinations are made without considering actual hazards and real-life exposures (Warheit, 2004). The Organic Make-up Co. considers fine or coarse particle sized titanium dioxide and other mineral pigments to be safe according to the studies available and information discussed in this article. Despite repeated requests for micronized pigments in our colour cosmetics, we insist on using only coarse or fine particles of mineral pigments, balancing our need to look beautiful with our more pressing need to stay healthy. With the multitude of cosmetics and chemicals available to us, it is in our best interest to become informed as consumers and make pure, natural and simple choices to protect our health and longevity. References: - Antczak, Cosmetics Unmasked. Harper Collins; London:2001 - Blake, et.al. "Application of the Photocatalytic Chemistry of TiO2 to Disinfection and the Killing of Cancer Cells", Separation and Purification Methods; Vol 28 (1) 1999 p.1-50 - Churg, Gilks, Dai, UBC Dept. of Pathology. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. Vol 277 Issue 5 L975-L982, 1999 - Dunford, et. al. FEBS Letters 418, 87 1997 - Etcgroup.org - Kamazawa, et.al. "Effects of Titanium Ions and Particles of Neutrophil Function and Morphology". Biomaterials 2002 Sep 23 (17): 3757-64 - Powell, et. al. GUT 38, 390 1996 - Warheit, David "Nanoparticles: Health Impacts?". Materials Today, Feb. 2004 - Witt, Stephen. Director of Technological Support, N. American Refractories Co. About the Author Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food, family and textile sciences. ... |
| Other Articles: Acid Reflux, Heart, Cholesterol, Anorexia Nervosa, Disease Source, Patient's Story, Immune System |
 Add Your Related Site Here... |
| Featured Sites Diseases Finder Posters Related Sites Diseases Finder Art Prints Diseases Finder Special Resources Allergies, Blood Disorders Cancer, Cardiovascular Disorders, Communication Disorders, Congenital Anomalies, Dental Disorders, Digestive Disorders, Endocrine Disorders, Eye Disorders, Genetic Disorders, Gynecologic Disorders, Immune Disorders, Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Disorders, Skin Disorders, Sleep Disorders |
Diseases Finder Important Resources Diseases Finder Books Diseases Finder DVD Diseases Finder Softwares Diseases Finder Magazines |
| Diseases Finder Resources, Diseases Finder Searches Crohns Disease, Lyme Disease, Heart Disease, Parkinsons Disease, Alzheimers Disease, Liver Disease, Lung Disease, Kidney Disease, Gum Disease, Eye Disease, Gall Bladder Disease, Bone Disease, Blood Disease, Muscle Disease |
| Diseases Finder News from BBC News Wembley honours cancer battler Prescott Challenge Cup final tribute for fundraising ex-player Steve Prescott Food figures need a pinch of salt The idea that the world needs to double its food production by 2050 in order to feed a growing population "is wrong". Timeline: Argentina A chronology of key events from 1916 to 2007. Country profile: Malawi Key facts, figures and dates India's Yuvraj has dengue fever India's Yuvraj Singh has contracted dengue fever but is "out of danger", according to captain Mahendra Dhoni. |
Health Update from BBC News |
 Take advantage of our climbing ranking, without reciprocation of links! |
Diseases Finder
Maintained by: Marketer Solutions | Search Engine Marketing
2010-09-03T01:10:15-04:00