BRUSSELS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The European Chemicals Agency(ECHA) on Friday decided to classify titanium dioxide as a substance suspectedof causing cancer through inhalation.

      According to ECHA's committee for risk assessment, the availablescientific evidence showed that the carcinogenic potential of titanium dioxideagainst the criteria in the classification, labeling and packaging regulation.

      It concluded that there was insufficient evidence to classifytitanium dioxide in the more severe category for carcinogenicity, which refersto a substance which is presumed to cause cancer.

      This opinion will go through a normal editorial check before itis sent to the European Commission for final decision-making.