Lithopone, a pigment composed of zinc sulfide and barium sulfate, is prized for its ability to offer excellent hiding power and brightness. In China, the production process of lithopone is meticulously controlled, ensuring that each batch meets stringent quality standards. This dedication to precision not only enhances the performance of end products but also elevates China's reputation in the global market. Furthermore, anatase titanium dioxide offers good adhesion and dispersion characteristics, which facilitate the manufacturing process of coatings. Its fine particle size and uniform distribution ensure a smooth and consistent finish, while its compatibility with various binding agents and additives makes it easy to incorporate into different types of coatings formulations. China is a leading producer of titanium dioxide (TiO2), especially for masterbatch and plastic use. TiO2 is a white pigment widely used in various industries such as paints, plastics, paper, and cosmetics due to its excellent opacity and UV resistance.
A safety review conducted by the EFSA in 2021 assessed thousands of studies published on titanium dioxide.
A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2019 sought to examine the effects of titanium dioxide on intestinal inflammation. Researchers did this by feeding rats titanium dioxide nanoparticles and found that, after the course of two to three months, the animals had lower body weights and induced intestinal inflammation. The researchers also found the nanoparticles altered gut microbiota composition and aggravated chronic colitis. The rats also experienced reduced populations of CD4+T cells (which are cells that help organize immune responses by prompting other immune cells to fight infection), regulatory T cells, and white blood cells in mesenteric lymph nodes. The researchers wrote: “Dietary TiO2 nanoparticles could interfere with the balance of the immune system and dynamic of gut microbiome, which may result in low-grade intestinal inflammation and aggravated immunological response to external stimulus, thus introducing potential health risk.”