Titanium dioxide

1Identification

Name

Titanium dioxide

IUPAC name

dioxotitanium

CAS number

13463-67-7

EC number

215-280-1

Molecular formula

O2Ti

Molecular weight

79.866 g/mol

InChIKey

GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N

SMILES

O=[Ti]=O

PubChem CID

26042

Synonyms

TITANIUM DIOXIDE, Titania, Titanium(IV) oxide, Titanium White, Titafrance, Titandioxid, Flamenco, Hombitan, Tiofine, Tioxide, Tipaque, Titanox, Rayox, Bayertitan A

Recommended uses

• Pigment or filler in paints, paper, foods, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals; Used in welding rod coatings; [ACGIH] Rutile TiO2 is used as a semiconductor in the electronics industry. [Rom, p. 537] About 95% of all titanium consumed is titanium dioxide; it is an important white pigment in paints, paper coatings, and plastics; It is also a sunscreen and used as a color additive in flours, dairy products, and pharmaceutical tablets; [Nordberg, p. 1289] slag; Used as a whitening and opacifying agent in paints, paper, ceramics, and enamels; [IARC] Used for specialized white pigment applications such as paper and fibers; TIO2 is also used in welding rod coatings;
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Welding [Category: Weld] Semiconductor Manufacturing [Category: Industry] Pulp and Paper Processing [Category: Industry] Textiles (Fiber & Fabric Manufacturing) [Category: Industry] Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides) [Category: Paint] Welding Over Coatings [Category: Weld]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• A naturally occurring crystalline form of titanium dioxide obtained from processing ilmenite (a natural iron titinate) or titanium slag; Used as a whitening and opacifying agent in paints, paper, ceramics, and enamels; [IARC] Used for specialized white pigment applications such as paper and fibers; TIO2 is also used in welding rod coatings; Anatase is a semiconductor, and it is used to make electronic components; [Reference #1]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Bleaching agent Opacifer Abrasives Surfactant (surface active agent) Processing aids not otherwise specified Alloys Binder Other Dispersing agent Solvent Dye Surface modifier Intermediate Pigment Filler Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Catalyst Sealant (barrier) Stabilizing agent Brightener Fixing agent (mordant)
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
• Heat stabilizer Pigment Dye Surface modifier Brightener Fixing agent (mordant) Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Filler Catalyst Sealant (barrier) Opacifer Bleaching agent Abrasives Other
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)

Use categories: EPA Safer Chemical Functional Use Classes -> Colorants;Processing Aids and Additives · Safer Chemical Classes -> Green circle - The chemical has been verified to be of low concern · Food additives · Fragrance Ingredients

Description

• Titanium dioxide (airborne, unbound particles of respirable size) can cause cancer according to California Labor Code.
  California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
• Titanium dioxide is an odorless white powder. Tasteless. pH 7.5. Occurs in three crystalline forms. (NTP, 1992)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Titanium dioxide is a titanium oxide with the formula TiO2. A naturally occurring oxide sourced from ilmenite, rutile and anatase, it has a wide range of applications. It has a role as a food colouring.
  ChEBI

2Hazard identification

Signal word

Warning

Pictograms

GHS08

Classification source

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council

Precautionary statements

Other reported classifications

8 classification records exist across sources. Differences usually reflect purity, physical form or impurities.

Health hazards

• Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Titanium dioxide: Exposure Routes: Inhalation Symptoms: Lung fibrosis; [potential occupational carcinogen] Target Organs: Respiratory system Cancer Site: [in animals: lung tumors] (NIOSH, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Fire hazards

• Literature sources indicate that this chemical is noncombustible. (NTP, 1992)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Not combustible.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Hazards summary

• A study of 1,576 workers in the U.S. exposed to TiO2 for more than one year used incidence data from 1956 through 1985. Mortality data was available from the company for the years 1935 through 1983. There was no excess of lung cancer or chronic respiratory disease and no cases of pulmonary fibrosis. [Rom, p. 537-8] Cases of pulmonary fibrosis associated with exposure to TiO2 have been reported, but the reactions may have been caused by silica present as contamination. [Hendrick, p. 180-1] No listed effects of short-term or long-term exposure;
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Not a skin irritant; [IUCLID] NIOSH has determined that ultrafine TiO2 is a potential occupational carcinogen but that there are insufficient data at this time to classify fine TiO2 as a potential occupational carcinogen. Summary of Epidemiologic Studies: Overall, these studies provide no clear evidence of elevated risks of lung cancer mortality or morbidity among those workers exposed to TiO2 dust. [Reference #1] A skin and strong eye irritant; Toxic by inhalation; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS] See Titanium dioxide.
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases

3Composition / information on ingredients

This page describes the pure substance. Commercial products may be solutions or mixtures. Check Section 3 of your supplier's SDS for concentrations and other ingredients.

4First-aid measures

• EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
  CAMEO Chemicals
• (General first aid procedures) Breathing: Respiratory support
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Symptoms of exposure

• Redness.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Lung fibrosis; [potential occupational carcinogen]
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

5Fire-fighting measures

• In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

6Accidental release measures

Spill cleanup

• Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

7Handling and storage

• Store in covered containers.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

8Exposure controls / personal protection

Personal protective equipment

• Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Titanium dioxide: Skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for personal protective equipment for the body. Eyes: No recommendation is made specifying the need for eye protection. Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift). Remove: No recommendation is made specifying the need for removing clothing that becomes wet or contaminated. Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Dust or Mist Concentration: 75 mg/cu m or less: Any dust and mist respirator. 150 mg/cu m or less: any dust and mist respirator, except single-use or quarter-mask respirator. 750 mg/cu m or less: any fume respirator or high efficiency particulate filter respirator; or any supplied-air respirator; or any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece. 7,500 mg/cu m or less: A powered air-purifying respirator with a high efficiency particulate filter; or a Type C supplied-air respirator operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure or continuous-flow mode.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Respirator Recommendations: At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration: [Table#2297]
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Respirator Recommendations: Escape: [Table#2298]
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Respirator recommendations

• NIOSH At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode (APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

9Physical and chemical properties

10Stability and reactivity

Reactivity

• TITANIUM DIOXIDE is incompatible with strong oxidizers and strong acids. Violent or incandescent reactions may occur with metals (e.g. aluminum, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc and lithium). (NTP, 1992).
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Insoluble in water.
  CAMEO Chemicals

Incompatible materials and hazardous reactions

• The reaction of lithium and titanium dioxide occurs around 200 °C with a flash of light; the temperature can reach 900 °C.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Violent or incandescent reaction with metals at high temperatures (e.g., aluminum; calcium; magnesium; potassium; sodium; zinc; lithium).
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• None reported
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

11Toxicological information

Target organs

• respiratory system
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Long-term exposure effects

• Lungs may be affected by repeated or prolongated exposure. This may result in chronic inflammation. This substance is possibly carcinogenic to humans if inhaled.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

12Ecological information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 12 of the supplier's SDS.

13Disposal considerations

• SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

14Transport information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 14 of the supplier's SDS.

How DOT hazard classes work →

15Regulatory information

• Residues of titanium dioxide are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops only. Use: pigment/coloring agent in plastic bags used to wrap growing banana (preharvest), colorant on seeds for planting.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Titanium dioxide is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance for residues in or on growing crops, when used as an inert ingredient (UV protectant) in microencapsulated formulations of the insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin at no more than 3.0% by weight of the formulation and as an inert ingredient (UV-stabilizer) at no more than 5% in pesticide formulations containing the active ingredient napropamide.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• The color additive titanium dioxide may be safely used for coloring foods generally, subject to the following restrictions: (1) The quantity of titaanium dioxide does not exceed 1 percent by weight of the food. (2) It may not be used to color foods for which standards of identity have been promulgated under section 401 of the act unless added color is authorized by such standards. ... Certification of this color additive is not necessary for the protection of the public health and therefore batches thereof are exempt from the certification requirements of section 721(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Overview of SDS regulations (OSHA HazCom, WHMIS, REACH/CLP) →

16Other information

Compiled from PubChem CID 26042 and the sources it aggregates (attributed inline). Data retrieved 2026-10-12. This summary describes the pure substance and is not a supplier SDS.