Titanium Dioxide Toxic-Is Titanium Dioxide Mineral Or Chemical

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a chemical compound. It is a naturally occurring mineral known as rutile, anatase, or brookite, but when it is processed and used in various industrial applications, it is considered a chemical. Titanium dioxide is widely used as a white pigment in paints, plastics, papers, and in sunscreen products for its ability to reflect and scatter light. It is also used in food products as a colorant, known as E171 in the European Union. Its classification as a “chemical” in common usage refers to its manufactured form and the industrial processes it undergoes.