I am researching mattresses and one of the materials listed in fabrics used for fire socks is titanium dioxide. It seems to be a very small amount used in fabric that is mostly poly/cotton, or with silica in the fabric also. I can’t find any information searching here or by googling about titanium dioxide in fabric, other than in sun protectant clothing, which seems different. Any opinions or suggestions?
Hi juniper44.
Welcome to our Mattress Forum! 
Titanium dioxide used in fabrics often called innocuously “Pigment white #6”, has a CAS number of 13463-67-7 which can be used to find its detailed toxicological profile and pertinent safety information. In summary, as OEcoTextiles points out in this article about chemicals used bedding it is found to be causing mild skin irritations in humans, and cancerous tumors of the lungs and thorax in rats; also, lymphomas including Hodgkins disease. It is classified as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Hopefully some other knowledgeable members and experts can chime in with more angles on it.
Phoenix
thank you for the fast reply! I have the SDS for the fabric, that is indeed the CAS number and it says it is less than 1%
I think the silica in the fabric should be cause for consideration. Many of my customers have reported silica dust on their mattress if they remove the sock. While silica itself is low VOC, its dust has proven problematic for some who breathe it in consistently. In fact, silicosis is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust. I would think that some mattress tickings are efficient at not allowing the dust to be airborne, but some by nature must not be.