Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are used in sunscreens, cosmetics and food
Food grade titanium dioxide accumulation leads to cellular alterations in colon cells after removal of a 24-hour exposure
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- PMID: 35973603
- DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153280
Abstract
Titanium dioxide food grade (E171) is one of the most used food additives containing nanoparticles. Recently, the European Food Safety Authority indicated that E171 could no longer be considered safe as a food additive due to the possibility of it being genotoxic and there is evidence that E171 administration exacerbates colon tumor formation in murine models. However, less is known about the effects of E171 accumulation once the exposure stopped, then we hypothesized that toxic effects could be detected even after E171 removal. Therefore, we investigated the effects of E171 exposure after being removed from colon cell cultures. Human colon cancer cell line (HCT116) was exposed to 0, 1, 10 and 50 μg/cm2 of E171. Our results showed that in the absence of cytotoxicity, E171 was accumulated in the cells after 24 of exposure, increasing granularity and reactive oxygen species, inducing alterations in the molecular pattern of nucleic acids and lipids, and causing nuclei enlargement, DNA damage and tubulin depolymerization. After the removal of E171, colon cells were cultured for 48 h more hours to analyze the ability to restore the previously detected alterations. As we hypothesized, the removal of E171 was unable to revert the alterations found after 24 h of exposure in colon cells. In conclusion, exposure to E171 causes alterations that cannot be reverted after 48 h if E171 is removed from colon cells.
‘The Mexican researchers found that so-called food-grade titanium dioxide, which is used as an additive in everything from candy to sunscreen, accumulated in colon cells, causing what may be permanent damage.
Using electron microscopy, the researchers identified the presence of food-grade titanium dioxide (TiO2) in a human colon cancer cell line that they maintained in a cell culture medium.
When they exposed human cells to titanium dioxide, they did so at small, variable concentrations. Other cells with no exposure to titanium dioxide served as the control group.
After 48 hours of exposure, the culture medium was replaced with an unexposed cell culture medium. Forty-eight hours later, the cells were analyzed. Titanium dioxide—at all concentrations—persisted in the colon cells even 48 hours after exposure.
The exposure caused damage to the cells and DNA alteration, researchers found.
The Mexican scientists pointed out in their study, TiO2 has been shown to accumulate in human organs: It has been detected in the spleen and liver, found in the feces of newborn babies, and discovered in the mother’s placenta.
The European Union banned its use at the beginning of 2022 in correlation with French research results. At that time, manufacturers were given six months to remove titanium dioxide from food products sold to European consumers. Yet the US Canada and others continued its use.
Worldwide colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer. Incidents are highest in Australia, New Zealand, and other European countries but lowest in Africa and Southern Asia
3 Ways to Avoid Titanium Dioxide
In the absence of appropriate government and industry regulation, consumers must do their best to avoid any and all DNA-altering toxins that may contribute to the rise in cancer and other health problems, including titanium dioxide and glyphosate.
Change can be hard, and this can feel overwhelming. So where do you start?
Check your toothpaste: Titanium dioxide is often used in toothpaste. Find a natural toothpaste or toothpowder that only contains ingredients that you recognize. You can also try brushing your teeth with baking powder or make your own natural toothpaste.
Eat few if any sweets: Titanium dioxide is a common additive in candies and sweets. Earlier this year, on July 14, 2022, California resident Jenile Thames filed a class-action lawsuit against Mars, the company that makes Skittles. The suit alleges that the company “has long known of the health problems posted by TiO2.” In fact, in 2016, Mars publicly announced that it would remove the chemical from its products. But it hasn’t. It’s likely that your chewing gum, pastries, powdered sugars, and sweetened coffee creamers also contain it.
These sweets may deliver you a one-two cancer-causing punch. We know that sugar feeds bad bacteria, and some studies have also shown that sugar raises the risk of colon and other cancers. So if you’re craving sweets, choose homemade foods made with honey, maple syrup, or whole organic dates. There are natural, organic, dye-free, TiO2-free candies available at health food stores, which are perfect for children’s birthday parties or when you absolutely must have a sweet treat.
Check your cosmetics: Unfortunately, titanium dioxide may also be lurking in your soaps, make-up, skincare, and beauty products. Get in the habit of reading ingredient labels and avoid putting anything—from sunscreens to lip gloss—on your skin that contains it.’ Jennifer Margulis, Ph.D.,
Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Cause Brain Injuries in Fish
Professor Richard Handy and his team of scientists at Plymouth University in the UK have discovered that nanoparticles of titanium dioxide are causing holes to form (you can call them vacuoles if you want to be fancy), and nerve cells to die, in the brains of living fish.
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