Silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide particles found in human tissues
What it found
Tiny particles of silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide were found in liver, spleen, kidney and intestinal tissue from 15 deceased people.
Most of the titanium in these tissues was in particle form.
What they found
Studies in people
Silicon levels in tissue
Total silicon ranged from less than 2 to 191 mg per kg. The median levels were 5.8 in liver, 9.5 in spleen, 7.7 in kidney, 6.8 in jejunum and 7.6 in ileum.
Silicon dioxide particles
Silicon dioxide particles ranged from less than 0.2 to 25 mg per kg. They made up about 10% of the total silicon. Median levels were 0.4 in liver, 1.0 in spleen, 0.4 in kidney, 0.7 in jejunum and 0.6 in ileum.
Titanium levels in tissue
Total titanium ranged from less than 0.01 to 2.0 mg per kg. Median levels were 0.02 in liver, 0.04 in spleen, 0.05 in kidney, 0.13 in jejunum and 0.26 in ileum.
Titanium dioxide particles
Titanium dioxide particles ranged from 0.01 to 1.8 mg per kg. They made up about 80% of the total titanium, meaning most titanium in these tissues was in particle form. Median levels were 0.02 in liver, 0.02 in spleen, 0.03 in kidney, 0.08 in jejunum and 0.25 in ileum.
Particle sizes
Silicon dioxide particles were 150 to 850 nm across, most commonly 270 nm. Titanium dioxide particles were 50 to 500 nm across, most commonly 100 to 160 nm. About 17% of the titanium dioxide particles were smaller than 100 nm.
Particle shapes
The particles appeared as single particles, clumps and looser clusters. The presence of silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide particles in liver tissue was confirmed with a special microscope and X-ray method.
What the authors conclude
- They report that silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide particles were present in liver, spleen, kidney and intestinal tissues of the deceased people studied.
- They note that most of the titanium in these tissues was in particulate form.
How it was done
These materials are produced in large amounts and used in many consumer and food products, so people may take them in and they may spread through the body.
The researchers measured total silicon and titanium, and silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide particles, in tissue samples from 15 deceased people. They looked at liver, spleen, kidney, and two parts of the intestine (jejunum and ileum).
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This study looked at tissue from 15 deceased people, so it cannot show how the particles got there or whether they caused any health effects.
- It cannot show whether the levels found are typical for living people or how they might change over time.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands; University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
The paper
- Title
- Silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide particles found in human tissues
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Peters RJB, Oomen AG, van Bemmel G, et al (2020). Silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide particles found in human tissues. Nanotoxicology. doi:10.1080/17435390.2020.1718232PubMed 31994971DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error