Titanium is a light metal with a white-silver metallic color. It is hard and corrosion-resistant. Pure Titanium is not soluble in water but is soluble in strong acids. When exposed to high temperatures in the air, titanium forms a protective oxide layer (making it corrosion-resistant), but at room temperatures, it is resistant to oxidation. The primary oxidation state is 4+, although the 3+ and 2+ states are also known but less stable.
Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the Earth's crust.
Applications of Titanium
Titanium dioxide is widely used as a white pigment. Titanium alloys are characterized by very high tensile strength even at high temperatures, lightweight, high corrosion resistance, and the ability to withstand extreme temperatures. Based on these properties, titanium is mainly used in aircraft, pipes for power stations, laminates, warships, spaceships, and rockets. Titanium is as strong as steel but 45% lighter.
In medicine, Titanium is used for the manufacture of artificial hip and knee joints, in pacemakers, bone plates and screws, cranial plates used in skull fractures, and dental implants.
Impact of Titanium on human health
No biological role for Titanium has been recognized so far. There are detectable amounts of Titanium in the human body, and it has been estimated that each person consumes about 0.8 mg of titanium per day, but most are eliminated without absorption. The human body can tolerate Titanium in large doses. Elemental Titanium and Titanium dioxide have low levels of toxicity. Excessive exposure to Titanium dioxide powder in humans can cause lung damage.
How can one determine if one has been exposed to Titanium?
We can measure Titanium levels in the blood and most biological materials.
Determination of metals is done by ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Mass Spectrometry), a method that enables the simultaneous detection of many metals. Its sensitivity and accuracy are significantly better than conventional atomic absorption, with the ability to measure metals at concentrations up to 1 in 1015 (1 in 1 quadrillion, ppq)!
Important Note
Laboratory test results are the most important parameter for diagnosing and monitoring all pathological conditions. Between 70% and 80% of diagnostic decisions are based on laboratory tests. The correct interpretation of laboratory results allows a doctor to distinguish "healthy" from "diseased."
Laboratory test results should not be interpreted solely based on the numerical result of a single analysis. They should be interpreted in relation to each individual case, family history, clinical findings, and the results of other laboratory tests and information. Your physician should explain the importance of your test results.
At Diagnostiki Athinon, we answer any questions you may have about the test you perform in our laboratory and contact your doctor to ensure you receive the best possible medical care.
