Surface World March 2020 Surface World March 2020 | Page 8
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Website: www.envirotech-europe.com
BRITISH COATINGS FOUNDATION
Workers and users should not be
alarmed by titanium dioxide
classification, says BCF
On 18th February, the
European Union published
a delegated regulation
classifying titanium dioxide
as a category 2 suspected
carcinogen by inhalation
under EU Regulation
(EC) No 1272/2008 on
classification, labelling
and packaging (CLP) of
substances and mixtures.
The paints, coatings and
printing inks industries are
the largest user globally of
titanium dioxide, which is
one of the most important
raw materials to the sector.
Titanium dioxide is an inert inorganic
compound that is used as a white
pigment in many industrial applications.
These applications include the manufacture
of paints, coatings, printing inks and
wallcoverings where titanium dioxide plays
a critical role in providing essential product
properties: whiteness, covering power,
brightness, stability and durability of colour
that cannot be achieved with other raw
materials. Titanium dioxide is also used
in many other consumer products.
Whilst the classification of titanium dioxide
is only for the powder form of the substance,
and does not apply to liquid mixtures of
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paints, coatings or printing inks containing
titanium dioxide, or wallpaper, there are
concerns of knock on effects for waste
legislation and recycling, for both liquid
paints and printing inks and also white
plastic containing more than one percent of
titanium dioxide. This could have a major
impact on UK and EU recycling targets.
The classification of titanium dioxide also
sets a precedent for many other substances
with similar properties, of which there are
many hundred, and will directly affect
powder coatings, which will be classified.
As mentioned above, it is unreasonable to
consider any worker will ever be exposed
to relevant concentrations. For this reason,
we believe that the existing occupational
dust limits are sufficient to tackle the concern,
and we therefore do not agree with this
classification under CLP”.
Commenting on the science behind the
classification, Tom Bowtell, BCF CEO said:
“The one scientific study behind the
classification was based on tests with
rats, where respirable titanium dioxide
dust was inhaled in excessive quantities,
leading to significant impairment of particle
clearance mechanisms in the rats’ lungs.
This is an effect that would not happen
in human lungs. The effect is not caused
by the chemistry of titanium dioxide but by
the simple presence of dust particles in
excessive quantities in the lungs, causing
chronic inflammation of the rats’ lung cells.
On top of this, the rats were exposed to
levels of titanium dioxide approximately
40 times the maximum a factory worker
might be exposed to in his or her job,
so it is highly unlikely that any production
employee handling titanium dioxide powder
could ever be exposed to such levels.
The paints, coatings, printing inks and
wallcoverings industries have always,
and will continue to take their responsibility
for health, safety and the environment as
their highest priority and continue to ensure
that products meet the highest health and
safety standards.
Exposure to titanium dioxide powder may
occur during manufacturing of our members’
products. However, both in the UK, and
across the EU, regulations exist that protect
workers from dust exposure. Studies over
many years have not found any correlation
between workers exposed to titanium dioxide,
and the risk of lung cancer.
MARCH 2020
For further information please contact
Tania Morrill on 07393 149 738
or [email protected]
read online: www.surfaceworld.com