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Colgate may cause cancer: study
(Shenzhen Daily)
Updated: 2005-04-19 15:00
Toothpaste brand Colgate could produce a cancer-causing gas when mixed
with water, a US researcher warned.
Triclosan, a chemical in the product, could react with the chlorine in tap
water to produce chloroform gas, according to Peter Vikesland, assistant
professor in civil and environmental engineering, of the Virginia Polytechnic
Institute.
Chloroform can cause depression, liver problems and, in some cases, cancer if
inhaled in large enough quantities.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine
of China said it was closely watching the matter.
China forbids the use of triclosan in cosmetics, but had no rule on its use
in toothpastes.
Chinese experts said it was not necessary to panic.
Professor Wu Wei'ai with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and
Prevention said the toothpaste could produce minute amounts of the chloroform
gas.
"If you brush your teeth three times a day, you might breath a very limited
amount of chloroform. So it's not necessary to panic," said Prof. Wu.
However, Giles Watson, a toxicology expert at wildlife charity WWF, warned
the long-term effects of exposure to chloroform were still unknown and advised
consumers to check the tubes before buying products.
A British newspaper Evening Standard investigation found dozens of products
on supermarket shelves containing triclosan, including Colgate, Aquafresh,
Dentyl and Sensodyne.
Marks&Spencer was removing products containing triclosan from all its
stores. Asda said it was investigating the problem and would be urgently talking
to its suppliers, according to the Evening Standard.
Colgate said it held almost one-third of China's toothpaste market.
Colgate's sales in Shenzhen are not influenced at the
moment.
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