Clinical Information

Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the earth's crust. Its light weight and high strength are useful in alloys for diverse applications. There is no evidence to date that titanium is an essential element. Due in part to titanium's oxide formation propensity, the element is considered to be nontoxic. Soils, drinking water, and air all contain trace amounts of titanium. The food processing industry uses large quantities of titanium as a food additive; processed foods contain higher levels than are found in most produce and organic food products. The average daily oral intake through food consumption is 0.1 to 1 mg/day, which accounts for more than 99% of exposure. Gastrointestinal absorption of titanium is low (approximately 3%), and most of the ingested titanium is rapidly excreted in the urine and stool. The total body burden of titanium is usually in the range of 9 to 15 mg, a significant portion of which is contained in the lungs. Titanium dust entering the respiratory tract is nonirritating and is almost completely nonfibrogenic in humans.

Titanium-containing alloys are used in some artificial joints, prosthetic devices, and implants. Titanium dioxide allows osseointegration between an artificial medical implant and bone. Despite their wide use, exposure to these materials has not been linked to toxicity. In one study, patients monitored up to 36 months following joint replacement with titanium-containing joints showed a statistically significant increase in detectable titanium. While titanium concentrations are not a measure of toxicity, they can be useful in determining whether implant breakdown is occurring.