Titanium dioxide may raise cancer risk

By David Liu

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles found in many household goods caused systemic genetic damage in mice, according to a new study in the journal Cancer Research.

The comprehensive study led by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found the TiO2 nanoparticles induced single- and double-strand DNA breaks and also damaged chromosome, promoted inflammation, all of which raise the risk of cancer.

These Titanium dioxide nanoparticles after ingestion accumulate in various organs because the body can't get rid of them.

These nanoparticles are considered safe because they do not get into chemical reactions. But Robert Schiestl, a professor of pathology, radiation oncology and environmental health sciences at UCLA said that these particles can cause genetic damages through surface interactions.

In the study, mice were fed drinking water with the titanium dioxide nanoparticles and genetic damages were observed on the fifth day, equivalent to 1.6 years in humans.

Titanium dioxide is used in many products including paint, cosmetics, sunscreen and vitamins,toothpaste, food colorants, nutritional supplements and hundreds of other personal care products.

Schiestl said some portion of spontaneous cancers are caused by the exposure to Titanium Dioxide and suggested that it would be prudent to limit intake of the nanoparticles.

Photo from wikipedia