Application of the photocatalytic chemistry of titanium dioxide to disinfection and the killing of cancer cells

This article will review the work that has been published on disinfection a nd the killing of cancer cells using photocatalytic chemistry with titanium dioxide (TiO2). This is an application of photocatalytic chemistry that ha s been under active investigation since 1985. Because the nature of the res earch is such that it brings together disparate disciplines, this review pr ovides background on photocatalytic chemistry, fundamental characteristics of target organisms, potential applications, and the toxicology of titanium dioxide. Literature identified in searches done through September 1998 is included.