Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are commonly found in a wide-range of consumer goods, including cosmetics, sunscreens, paints and colorings, ceramics, glass, textiles, construction materials, medicine, food, food packaging, and more. In Europe, cosmetic companies are required to label products that contain nanoparticles. In the U.S., companies are not.

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.

Still, in 2016 Skittles publicly declared it would get rid of the chemical compound in its products, according to a press release at the time from the Center for Food Safety, which called the substance harmful and potentially poisonous. But the ingredient remains, according to the lawsuit, which alleges the candy company is misleading consumers by not having eliminated titanium dioxide.

When it comes to painting, there are many factors to consider. From choosing the right color to ensuring the durability and longevity of your paint, every decision counts. A key ingredient that plays a vital role in achieving the desired finish is titanium dioxide. This extraordinary white pigment revolutionized the paint industry, giving walls around the world unparalleled luster and durability.

The US and Canada, however, approve the use of titanium dioxide as a food additive. Canada's recent review of titanium dioxide reconfirmed its safety and pointed out that many of the toxicity studies the EU reviewed were not relevant to the safety of titanium dioxide as a food ingredient, and that the ban is based on an abundance of caution and uncertainty.

Les pouvoirs couvrant et éclaircissant du lithopone normal sont supérieurs à ceux de la céruse et de l'oxyde de zinc, mais inférieurs au Dioxyde de Titane pur, étant le meilleur blanc sous tout rapport. C'est le sulfure de zinc qui, avec son indice de réfraction de 2,37, est l’élément opaque ; le 2nd composé, le sulfate de baryum, joue un rôle de diluant minéral et favorise l'efficacité de la diffusion du premier.

Lithopone Market Outlook - 2020–2027

Some food products will include titanium dioxide on their nutrition label. But again, it can be hard to tell for those who don't list the ingredient. 

In a study published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology in 2016, researchers investigated whether titanium dioxide exposure led to an increase in colorectal tumor creation in mice by using a colitis associated cancer model. By measuring tumor progression markers, the researchers found that mice given titanium dioxide experienced enhanced tumor formation in the distal colon.  There was also a decrease of cells that act as a protective barrier in the colon. The researchers wrote: “These results suggest that E171 could worsen pre-existent intestinal diseases.”

In addition to hiding power, titanium dioxide also plays a vital role in enhancing the durability of paints. It acts as a barrier, protecting the walls from external elements such as UV radiation, moisture and pollutants. Titanium dioxide's high refractive index allows it to reflect harmful UV rays, preventing them from fading paint and retaining its vibrant colors for a long time. This UV resistance is especially important for facades that are exposed to sunlight throughout the day.