EC Scientific Committee Will Consider Safety of Nano Titanium Dioxide in Sunscreens and Personal Care Spray Products

On September 14, 2015, the European Commission (EC) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) posted a request from the EC for a scientific opinion on titanium dioxide (nano) as a UV-filter in sunscreens and personal care spray products.  In 2013, the SCCS issued an opinion on titanium dioxide (nano), and concluded that titanium dioxide (nano), at a concentration up to 25 percent, can be considered not to pose any risk of adverse effects in humans after application on healthy, intact, or sunburned skin.  At the time, the SCCS stated that, on the basis of available information, the use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in spray products could not be considered safe.  In 2014, the SCCS issued an opinion clarifying the meaning of the term “sprayable application/products” for the nano forms of carbon black CI 77266, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.  In the 2014 opinion, the SCCS stated that its concern was limited to spray applications that might lead to the consumer’s lungs being exposed to titanium dioxide nanoparticles by inhalation.  According to the request for an opinion posted on September 14, 2015, in July 2015, the EC received new data from industry to support the safe use of titanium dioxide (nano) when used as a UV-filter in sunscreens and personal care spray products at a concentration up to 5.5 percent.  The request asks the SCCS:

• In light of the data provided, does the SCCS consider titanium dioxide (nano) safe when used as a UV-filter in sunscreens and personal care spray products at a concentration up to 5.5 percent; and
• Does the SCCS have any further scientific concerns regarding the use of titanium dioxide (nano) when used as a UV-filter in sunscreens and personal care spray products.