Researchers Find Titanium Nanoparticles in Food and Personal Care Products

U.S., Swiss and Norwegian researchers have analyzed an array of consumer products sold in the United States to determine how much titanium dioxide they contained by weight in a first-ever human exposure analysis and concluded that food sources likely account for most of the titanium nanoparticles released into the environment. Alex Weir, et al., “Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Food and Personal Care Products,” Environmental Science & Technology, February 8, 2012.

Noting that the substance is a common additive, the study showed that foods
with the highest content of titanium dioxide (up to 360 mg per serving) are
candies, sweets and chewing gum, and that personal care products, such as
toothpaste and select sunscreens, can contain up to 10 percent titanium by
weight. The research also showed that approximately 36 percent of the
particles are nano-sized. The researchers conclude that children have the
highest exposures due to their consumption of sweets and lower body weights.
They also suggest that titanium dioxide’s widespread use and disposal down
the drain and eventually to wastewater treatment plants requires further study.