Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)

Other names: Titanium dioxide, Titanium white, E171

Harm score: 2 (Derivatives of natural substances)

Titanium Dioxide, also known as Titanium Dioxide, Titanium White or E171, is a biologically harmless substance that is characterized by its very high whiteness and reflectivity. This substance is derived from the mineral rutile and is the whitest white substance known to man. Titanium Dioxide is an important industrial pigment whose use is found in many industries.

Its most common use is in the painting industry, where it is used as a white pigment for paints and coatings due to its ability to reflect light. It can also be found in cosmetics - specifically in sunscreens, make-up and other products where it acts as a UV protection. In the food industry, it is used under the code E171 as a white colouring agent in various sweets, candies or chewing gum. It is also used in the paper industry for the production of white paper and in the plastics industry for the production of white plastics. Titanium Dioxide is also added to toothpastes to increase their whitening effect.