Titanium: Do nanoparticles cause cancer?
Titanium (Ti)
Do nanoparticles cause cancer?
Titanium is one of the most biologically inert metals for the human body. There is evidence that titanium accelerates the regeneration of blood serum proteins and increases the number of red blood cells.
The daily requirement for the human body is not defined. The daily intake of titanium from food and liquids is 0.85 mg, of which 0.002 mg comes from drinking water and 0.0007 mg from air.
The content of titanium in the human body is 9–20 mg, with about 2.4 mg in the lungs. There is a relatively high concentration of titanium in lymph nodes. The highest amounts of titanium are found in the lungs, spleen, adrenal glands, thyroid gland, and placenta. The titanium content in these organs does not change with age, but in the lungs, it increases more than 100 times over a lifetime of 65 years.
The absorption of titanium compounds in the human gastrointestinal tract is 1–3%. Less than 1% of the absorbed dose enters the body through inhalation, with up to 30% of titanium being retained in the lungs. It is believed that the increased titanium content in the lungs is due to its intake with dust. Titanium is primarily excreted from the body in feces (0.52 mg) and to a lesser extent in urine (0.33 mg).
Biological role in the human body. Titanium accelerates the regeneration of blood serum proteins and increases the number of red blood cells. In patients with leukemia, peptic ulcer disease, and cancer, the amount of titanium in the blood decreases.
Synergists and antagonists of titanium. None detected.
Signs of titanium deficiency: manifestations of titanium deficiency in humans and animals have not been described.
Titanium toxicity. According to a comprehensive study conducted by scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) under the guidance of Professor of Pathology, Radiation Oncology, and Environmental Safety, researcher at the Jonsson Cancer Center Robert Schiestl, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, which can now be found everywhere – from cosmetics and sunscreens to dyes and vitamins – cause systemic genetic changes in mice.
Mice were exposed to TiO2 nanoparticles added to drinking water. Signs of genetic damage were observed in them on the fifth day. This corresponds for humans to the action of nanoparticles in industrial conditions for 1.6 years. However, it is still unclear what the accumulation curve is in the human body with constant contact over a long period.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles cause breaks in single- and double-stranded DNA and damage chromosomes, increasing the risk of cancer. They are also responsible for the onset and development of inflammation.
Once in the body, TiO2 nanoparticles accumulate in various organs, as there are no mechanisms in the body for their excretion. And since the nanoparticles are very small, they can move throughout the body, even passing through cells and interfering with intracellular mechanisms.
Previously, titanium dioxide particles were considered non-toxic because they do not engage in chemical reactions. However, they interact with surfaces that are in close proximity – in this case, in mice – causing damage to the genetic material. They move throughout the body, causing oxidative stress, which can lead to cell death.
Thus, compared to ordinary chemical reactions, which are often the subject of toxicological studies, titanium dioxide nanoparticles have a different mechanism of toxicity development, causing physicochemical reactions in the body that may ultimately lead to “spontaneous cancer development” – all depending on the individual’s sensitivity. Therefore, for people who, due to their profession, are forced to constantly be exposed to titanium dioxide nanoparticles, there is a potential risk of developing cancer and genetic damage.
The production of TiO2 nanoparticles is a huge industry, producing them at a rate of 2 million tons per year. In addition to paints, cosmetics, sunscreens, and vitamins, nanoparticles can be found in food colorings, toothpaste, and hundreds of other personal hygiene products.
Experiments have shown that titanium dioxide nanoparticles cannot penetrate the skin, so sunscreens containing them may be sufficiently safe. But if such products are sprayed, they can enter the lungs when inhaled.
It would obviously be advisable to limit the intake of titanium dioxide nanoparticles from biologically active food additives, food colorings, etc.
Main manifestations of chronic excess of titanium: pneumonia, inflammation of pulmonary and peripheral lymph nodes, pulmonary and pleural granulomatosis, alveolitis, tracheitis.
Titanium is necessary: in medicine, titanium is used in the manufacture of medical instruments and prosthetics due to its strength, lightness, corrosion resistance, and biological inertness. Titanium is used as a biocompatible material in the production of implants in orthopedics, maxillofacial surgery, and neurosurgery.
Titanium dioxide is widely used in cosmetology due to its ability to protect against shortwave ultraviolet radiation. In medicine, TiO2 is used in dermatological practice for the treatment of photosensitive cheilitis, simple herpes, acne, inflammation of the lips and oral cavity, as well as in the removal of facial hemangiomas by tattooing, and is a component of various medicinal preparations.
Titanium dioxide is widely used in cosmetology due to its ability to protect against shortwave ultraviolet radiation. In medicine, TiO2 is used in dermatological practice for the treatment of photosensitive cheilitis, simple herpes, acne, inflammation of the lips and oral cavity, as well as in the removal of facial hemangiomas by tattooing, and is a component of various medicinal preparations.
Dietary sources of titanium: cereals and legumes: beans, peas, buckwheat, oats, rye, beans, lentils, barley, some leafy vegetables.
Titanium dioxide is used in the production of various dyes and plastics, sauces and seasonings, in the processing of poultry meat, to whiten sugar glaze, candies, ice cream.
What is the role of titanium in plants?