Source: SPECIALIST PRINTING WORLDWIDE : ISSUE 3/2017
Gabriele Heller discusses the classification of titanium dioxide
In November 2015, the French Anses – Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire, de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail – provided the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) with a proposal for a harmonised classification of titanium dioxide as an inhalative carcinogen (Carc. 1B – H350i).
Titanium dioxide is the white pigment used in manufacturing white ink shades, but also in high opaque coloured shades. Due to the high opacity and the high degree of whiteness, there is no alternative white pigment available with similar technical properties. On 8 June 2017, the Committee for Risk
Assessment (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency ECHA published its recommendation on the subject. It suggests a harmonised classification of titanium dioxide as Carcinogen, Category 2 (‘suspected human carcinogen’), thus opposing the French proposal.
