Titanium dioxide is non-toxic or causes cancer-which is true?

Is titanium dioxide really a carcinogen?

On February 18, the European Commission finally classified inhalable titanium dioxide as a category 2 suspected carcinogen, based on a 2017 proposal.  

Titanium dioxide, a major player in the field of physical sun protection, is favored by Brands such as ANESSA, FANCL, Citino Doctor, Estine and Kiehl's. Is titanium dioxide really a carcinogen? Titanium dioxide sunscreen for years!

Look again at the original text of the EU regulation. On 4 October 2019, the European Commission published a revised regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures.  Its Risk Assessment Group, Risk Assessment of the Agency (RAC), recommended that inhalable titanium dioxide be classified as a Category 2 carcinogen in 2017.  

Contain greater than or equal to 1% titanium dioxide powder, and particle size less than or equal to 10 microns liquid mixture, need to increase the warning mark on the label: "pay attention to the harmful inhalable droplets will form when spraying, do not inhale spray or mist", containing greater than or equal to 1% of the solid mixture of titanium dioxide powder, insist on label: (Note that inhalable harmful dust will form in use, do not inhale dust).  

That is, liquid mixtures containing 1% or more of titanium dioxide powder with a particle size of 10 microns or less need to be labeled with a warning.  "Be aware that inhalable harmful droplets will form a do not inhale spray or mist during spraying." "Warning!  Hazardous respirable droplets may be formed when riser. Do not breathe spray or mist".

To highlight:  

1. Spray! Liquid products containing titanium dioxide powder, sprayed in a manner that may form harmful droplets and pose a risk of inhalation.  

2. The size! Titanium dioxide particle size and modification materials are important in the formulation selection of sunscreen products.  In the choice of particle size, there are also limitations.  

Is titanium dioxide safe?  

We look at its security from the following two aspects. 

1. Transdermal absorption. 

2. Breathe in.  

Safety evaluation of transdermal absorption: the CFDA and SCCS in the United States recommend the addition of titanium dioxide within 25%. Marissa D et al. even went so far as to patiently analyze the data from 1908 to 2008, study the percutaneous absorption assessment data and concluded that it was safe.

The Respiratory Inhalation SCCS (SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER SAFETY) has approved four nanomaterials so far: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are among them, and if nanomaterials are added, they are required to be labeled "nano" in the ingredient list.  

To sum up. As a common sunscreen, titanium dioxide is FDA approved as a safe sunscreen in the United States. But according to European Union regulations, spray sunscreens containing titanium dioxide can be dangerous to inhale. Therefore, liquid sunscreens containing titanium dioxide can be used and spray sunscreens containing titanium dioxide can be avoided to reduce the risk of inhalation.