by Sarah E. Sanuth

Created on: July 03, 2008

Titanium Dioxide is a naturally occurring substance. It has been around for as long as anyone can remember and is one of the top 50 chemicals produced today.

This chemical is used in a variety of different applications. Titanium Dioxide is both colorless and odorless. This item is used in many things because of these properties. It is found in sunscreens, cosmetics and foods.

There is a lot of controversy on whether or not this chemical is safe. But that questions lies on what you are using it for and how it enters the human body.

Inhalation

Titanium Dioxide is not known as a carcinogen, a carcinogen is something that causes cancer. The regulatory agency in charge of compiling Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS,) has it classified as relatively safe. However, overexposure to the dust can cause fibrosis in the lungs, but does not cause cancer.

Laboratory rats that were exposed to increased amounts of Titanium Dioxide, showed an increase in lung tumors, but were not cancerous.

However, at certain dosages or exposure it was not carcinogenic. But when the amount was increased to being extremely overexposed, it did become cancerous.

There is still controversy on whether or not inhalation to human is cancerous, because testing has not taken placed with the vast amounts that rats have been given, seeing as human life is not worth the risk. What also needs to be considered is the fact that rats are over sensitive to developing lung tumors. A factor that can mean the difference of whether or not this is true in humans also.

Consumption

But what about eating this product? Can it cause cancer even though it hasn't been shown to cause cancer from breathing it in?

The World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization have done studies, and found the mineral to be safe for human consumption. Also, the United Stated Department of Food and Drug Administration allows humans to consume it, apply it to their skin. Overall it claims that this item is safe for the public.

All studies that were done and proved adverse health effect were done based on extreme overexposure. Extreme overexposure to most things can cause some type of problem or issue.
Regardless, in these studies, it was not proven to cause cancer.

There is no reason to avoid consuming Titanium Dioxide. If there was any truth to this mineral causing cancer, it would have been found in these studies, which it was not. Just because there is speculation or rumor, does not mean that it is true. Also, just because something has an effect from breathing it in, does not mean there is an effect from eating it.

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