A Brief Survey of the Potential Health Risks of TiO2 Particles and TiO2-Containing Photocatalytic or Non-Photocatalytic Materials

作者：Pichat Pierre^*

来源：Journal of Advanced Oxidation Technologies, 2010, 13(3): 238-246.

• Environmental health
• Nanoparticles
• Photocatalysis
• TiO2
• Toxicity

In the past, TiO2 particles have been considered non-toxic because of both their chemical inertness and the conclusions of epidemiological studies dealing with mu m-sized particles. Recently, the assignment of diseases to inhalation of atmospheric particles, and the important industrial development of nm-sized particles - among which TiO2 particles are prominent, principally because of their photocatalytic properties - have induced new safety research. This article provides the results of in vivo experiments showing that TiO2 particles inhaled or swallowed can go through the biological barriers and cause damage to various organs. Obviously, the smaller the particle size, the easier the translocation within the body. There are indications that the TiO2 allotropic form and various surface properties also influence the biological impairments. Although the experimental methodologies can sometimes be criticized, a danger is pointed out. To evaluate the ensuing risk, the release of particles from TiO2-containing substances and materials is discussed. Precautions and recommendations are presented, even though the potential inhalation of TiO2-containing particles appears to be minor compared with that of particles emitted by combustions, with the obvious exception of workers manufacturing or using TiO2 particles.

• 出版日期2010-7