Estimates of Upper Bounds and Trends in Nano-TiO2 Production As a Basis for Exposure Assessment

Abstract

An upper bound is estimated for the magnitude of potential exposure to nano-TiO₂ with the purpose of enabling exposure assessment and, ultimately, risk assessment. Knowledge of the existing bulk TiO₂ market is combined with available nano-TiO₂ production data to estimate current nano-TiO₂ sources as a baseline. The evolution of nano-TiO₂ production as a percentage of the total TiO₂ market is then projected based on material and market information along with a method that combines observations from scientific articles and patents as predictive indicators of the rate of innovative transformation.