Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (E171) can cross the placental barrier and reach the fetal environment

Oct 14, 2020
Sébastien Bouley

Researchers from INRAE ​​in collaboration with the National Metrology and Testing Laboratory, the Materials Physics Group (CNRS / INSA Rouen / University of Rouen Normandie), the Toulouse University Hospital, the University of Picardie Jules Verne and the National Veterinary School of Toulouse, are now providing evidence in humans that titanium dioxide nanoparticles present in the additive E171 can cross the placenta and reach the fetal environment.

  • E171 crosses the placenta:

The researchers have collected 22 placentas from voluntary mothers and measured the total titanium content accumulated in this organ during pregnancy. They showed an accumulation of titanium dioxide in the placenta, the majority in the form of nanoparticles. Mothers were therefore exposed to this substance during their pregnancy. In parallel, the researchers infused the placentas with E171 on the maternal side. They then measured the titanium on the fetal side of the placenta and observed if any particles were found there. Their results show that titanium dioxide nanoparticles of the additive E171 pass from the maternal compartment to the fetal compartment.

  • The newborn is exposed in utero to titanium dioxide:

The researchers were also interested in the exposure of the newborn to titanium dioxide during its in utero development. To do this, they looked for titanium dioxide nanoparticles in meconiums which are the first stools of the newborn. Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide have been found in meconium, a sign that the fetal body has been exposed to this substance supplied by maternal blood. These new data on human organs and tissues show for the first time prenatal exposure in the human body. Man with titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

To know more, you can consult the full article from INRAE.

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