SCHEER Opinion on the safety of TiO2 in toys (published 9 June 2023)

The European Commission requested SCHEER an Opinion on safety of TiO2 used in toys and toy materials, following classification of TiO2 as carcinogenic category 2 after inhalation. Scientific data on the toxicity of TiO2 from primary and secondary sources and additional information on the use of TiO2 in toys, provided by the Toys Industries of Europe (TIE), was evaluated by SCHEER. Regarding Inhalation exposure, safe use with no or negligible risk for all products with a TiO2 content above 1% was indicated. If an ultrafine fraction is assumed to be present, safe use is not indicated for the use of casting kits, chalk and powder paints. In the case of white colour pencils, these can be used with no or negligible risk (safe) by children of different age groups independent whether an ultrafine fraction is present in the TiO2 preparation. Regarding oral exposure, it was concluded that toys containing pigmentary TiO2 can be used with no or negligible risk in the worst-case exposure scenarios considered. Safe use is only indicated when the absence of an ultrafine fraction in the TiO2 pigments can be demonstrated by an appropriate methodology.