DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Lithopone Market by Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027 report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

R-5566:

The price of Titanium Dioxide in Taiwan rose considerably throughout December 2018, reaching 3,750 USD per metric ton.  The price in Taiwan is 10% higher than the average price in the previous month and 1% higher than the average price one year before. In contrast, Titanium Dioxide prices in India were flat during December 2018, and were decline when compared to the average price in the preceding yeara decline of 3% from the previous year’s price. 

Lithopone is rather nontoxic, due to the insolubility of its components. It has been used in medicine as a radiocontrast agent. Lithopone is allowed to be in contact with foodstuffs in the US and Europe.

Lithopone was discovered in the 1870s by DuPont. It was manufactured by Krebs Pigments and Chemical Company and other companies. The material came in different seals, which varied in the content of zinc sulfide. Gold seal and Bronze seals contain 40-50% zinc sulfide, offering more hiding power and strength. Although its popularity peaked around 1920, approximately 223,352 tons were produced in 1990. It is mainly used in paints, putty, and in plastics.

Most notably, a European Food Safety Authority safety assessment published in May 2021 pointed to genotoxicity concerns, as suggested by previous research. Genotoxicity is the ability of chemicals to damage genetic information such as DNA, which may lead to cancer.

For that reason, the Center for Science in the Public Interest has graded titanium dioxide as a food additive that consumers should seek to “avoid.” Scientists at the nonprofit nutrition and food safety watchdog group today published a new entry for titanium dioxide in its Chemical Cuisine database of food additives.  

Although cosmetics are not meant for consumption, there are concerns that titanium dioxide in lipstick and toothpaste may be swallowed or absorbed through the skin.

Recent analyses of food-grade TiO₂ samples have found that a significant portion of particles may be within the nanoscale. These particles (also known as nanoparticles) range in size from 1 to 100 nm, where 1 nm equals 1 billionth of a metre (the width of a typical human hair is 80,000 to 100,000 nm).

But despite all these cries of alarm, five years on from the original study no further testing into the safety of Titanium Dioxide in our food supply

“Unlike some other chemicals used in food, titanium dioxide has no nutritive, preservative, or food safety function—its use is purely cosmetic,” said CSPI principal scientist for additives and supplements, Thomas Galligan. “The prospect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles damaging DNA is concerning enough for us to recommend consumers avoid foods that have it.” 

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