Analysis of titanium pigments in human lung tissue

The mechanism of oxidative damage in the nephrotoxicity of mice caused by nano-anatase TiO2

“…However, its special characteristics such as small size, large surface per mass and high reactivity make it easy to enter into the human body and, therefore, poses potential risk to human health and the environment [2,3]. Such widespread use and its potential entry through dermal, ingestion and inhalation routes suggest that nanotitanium dioxide (nano-TiO 2 ) could pose an exposure risk to humans, though TiO 2 was considered to be biologically inert [4][5][6][7]. Recent investigations have unequivocally showed that exposure to nano-TiO 2 caused inflammation of the liver, kidney, spleen, lung, heart and brain as well as tumours [2,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18].…”

Evidence that ultrafine titanium dioxide induces micronuclei and apoptosis in Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts.

“…TiO 2 was previously classified as biologically inert, both in animals and in humans (2,3). However, recent investigations on the basis of both experimental studies on rats and epidemiologic surveys revealed the development of inflammation, pulmonary damage, fibrosis, and lung tumors after exposure to ultrafine TiO 2 (UF-TiO 2 ) (4-9).…”

Biological reactivity of different crystalline forms of titanium dioxide in vitro and in vivo.

“…However, doubt has been expressed (20) as to whether anatase is as inert as rutile. This possibility again raises doubts as to whether the pulmonary response found in some studies (3,6) was due to the presence of other substances used in the manufacture of titanium dioxide pigments (a possibility co nsidered by the authors) o r to the presence of other, less inert, crystalline forms of titanium dioxide, as tentatively suggested by others (9,13). Certainly industrial titanium dioxide pigments (including some coated with silica) did not exert appreciable toxicity towards mouse peritoneal macrophages (8).…”

“…Several studies have been carried out to ascertain the human pulmonary response to titanium dioxide (1, 3,6,9,13,15), which is generally considered fairly inert , but there is some conflict of results. In addition the crystalline form of deposited titanium dioxide has rarely been determined .…”