EU Panel Classifies Titanium Dioxide as Cancer Risk

Titanium dioxide, which is widely used in the manufacture of paints, paper, and plastics, should be classified as carcinogenic in the European Union, the European Chemicals Agency said June 9.

ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee concluded that titanium dioxide could cause cancer if inhaled, and should be ranked as a Category 2 carcinogen, the lowest classification for carcinogenicity. These substances are suspected of causing cancer compared to category 1B and 1A substances which are presumed to and known to cause cancer, respectively.

The Category 2 carcinogenicity rating would apply EU-wide to all forms of titanium dioxide, including its nanoforms. Companies ...