The Great Titanium Dioxide Controversy - a carcinogen

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About Titanium Dioxidehttp://www.m-vskintherapy.com/skinhints.htmlThe Great Titanium Dioxide ControversyTitanium Dioxide--a carcinogen?Titanium dioxide is regarded as an inert, non-toxic substance by many regulatory bodies such as the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) and others charged with the responsibility of safeguarding the health of occupational workers and public health. Yet watchdog groups like the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.com) put titanium dioxide on their list of potential cancer causing substances. As near as I can tell they base their findings on a study showing that rats exposed to titanium dioxide dust develop lung tumors. I quote below from an article, Titanium Dioxide: Toxic or Safe? by Lori Stryker which appears in www.ezinearticles.com :"The NIOSH declaration of carcinogenicity in rats is based on a study by Lee, Trochimowicz & Reinhardt, "Pulmonary Response of Rats Exposed to Titanium Dioxide by Inhalation for Two Years" (1985). The authors of this study found that rats chronically exposed to excessive dust loading of 250 mg/m cubed and impaired clearance mechanisms within the rat, for six hours per day, five days per week for two years, developed slight lung tumours. They also noted that the biological relevance of this data to lung tumours in humans is negligible. It is important to note that rats are known to be an extremely sensitive species for developing tumours in the lungs when overloaded with poorly soluble, low toxicity dust particles. Rat lungs process particles very differently compared to larger mammals such as dogs, primates or humans." (Warheit, 2004).Risk to humans from titanium dioxideI'm going to quote again from the same source, as it seems to me author Stryker states the case very succinctly:"Titanium dioxide is listed as a safe pigment, with no known adverse effects. It is not listed as a carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, comedogen, toxin or as a trigger for contact dermatitis in any other safety regulatory publications beside the NIOSH (Antczak, 2001; Physical & Theoretical Chemical Laboratory, Oxford University respectively). It is reasonable to conclude then, that titanium dioxide is not a cancer-causing substance and is generally safe for use in foods, drugs, paints and cosmetics. This does not end the debate, however, as controversy over the safety of one unique form of titanium dioxide still exists.One form of mineral or mineral extract, including titanium dioxide, that we should be concerned about is ultrafine or nano particles. As technology has advanced, so has its ability to take normal sized particles of minerals and reduce them to sizes never before imagined. While many are praising this new technology, others are warning of its inherent dangers to our bodies. A study by Churg et. al. at the University of British Columbia in their paper "Induction of Fibrogenic Mediators by Fine and Ultrafine Titanium Dioxide in Rat Tracheal Explants" (1999) found that ultrafine particles of the anatase form of titanium dioxide, which are less than 0.1 microns, are pathogenic or disease causing."Chemical versus Physical sun blockersWith so much that is known about the risks of chemical sunscreens--they generate free radicals and in addition octyl metoxycinnimate and benzophenones have been implicated in estrogenicity studies--I am puzzled by all the attention that has been focused on the harmless-as-far-as-we-know titanium dioxide. A few facts about how chemical sunscreens and physical sunblocks work may help to put it in perspective.Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays and absorbing the radiation. In the process of breaking chemical bonds they release free radicals. About 15% of the population will experience skin irritation from some component found in a typical chemical sunscreen. Physical sunblocks, on the other hand, work by reflecting and/or scattering UV rays and radiation. The following brief list describes how each type of sunscreen performs:Ingredient UVB Protection UVA Protection ChemicalAbsorbers Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) No Yes Cinnamates Yes No Octocrylene Yes No Oxybenzone (Benzophenones) No Yes PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) Yes No Padimate-O (Octyl dimethyl paba) Yes No Salicylates Yes No PhysicalBlockers Titanium Dioxide Yes Yes (up to about 360 nm on the UVA spectrum) Zinc oxide (including transparent) Yes Yes (protects along the full UVA range, up to 400 nm)A look at the list should indicate the superiority of physical sunblocks. In addition, only one chemical agent, avobenzone, is allowed in sunscreens in Europe, Australia and Canada. They use primarily titanium dioxide in their sunscreens--and my guess is that avobenzone is on the allowed list because it in conjunction with titanium dioxide gives you full UVA/UVB protection--at least in theory. In practice avobenzone degrades about thirty minutes after application, hence does not offer very effective protection.Zinc Oxide--a physical sunblock that worksZinc oxide emerges as the clear winner in the sunblock wars, and it eludes me why it is not used more frequently. Not only is it the only mineral to provide complete UVB/UVA protection, it is also a wonderful anti-inflammatory and has great healing properties. It is safe for use by people who have rosacea, both because it is anti-inflammatory and because it provides the protection they, more than most, so urgently need. Mineral sunblocks and Marie Veronique productsI am still sitting on the fence with respect to titanium dioxide. I do not think that the studies currently in existence indicate any cancer risk for humans, with perhaps the exception of micronized titanium dioxide, where particles can be absorbed by the skin. Though even in such cases it is my understanding that titanium, as an inert metal, is not bio-reactive.However, cancer controversy aside, I do find that I favor zinc oxide over titanium dioxide, simply because of zinc oxide's superior properties with respect to protection and its ability to calm inflammation. With the controversy in mind I have developed a titanium dioxide free Creme de Jour, called Creme de Jour TiO2 free. It has exactly the same formulation as the original Creme de Jour with all the natural sunscreen agents found in the original : emu oil, green tea, red raspberry oil and pearl powde--there is just one important difference. TiO2 free has no titanium dioxide and double the concentration of zinc oxide so you get the same level of sun protection. The result is a very gentle, soothing moisturizing sunblock that is excellent for sensitive skin. However, I do think titanium dioxide is an effective sunblock and I will continue to make a version of Creme de Jour which uses the old formulation. When you order from the Skin Store simply choose the Creme de Jour of your choice. If you have the time, drop me a line, marieveronique , to let me know what you think about the new product, or tell me what you think about the latest titanium dioxide controversy. My goal is to make the safest, most effective skin care products...ever! in the world! but I can't do it without your help. For more discussions of safety issues re cosmetics and skin care products please have a look at the following websites:www.SafeCosmetics.org www.livingtoxinfree.orgA great big thanks to all my wonderful clients who continue to give me so much help and support. Love you all!