A chemical linked to cancer cell growth that disrupts development in animals is found in many soaps, cutting boards and toys is raising concern after Internet reports indicated that Colgate is still using the chemical in its Colgate Total toothpaste. But current concerns seem to be premature and very much overblown.
Colgate uses the chemical, called triclosan, because it has been proven to fight gum disease effectively. The toothpaste manufacturer states their product is safe because it triclosan passed the Food and Drug Administration's strict tests to be labeled a safe over-the-counter drug in 1997, reports Bloomberg.
Even give that fact – and even while regulators are currently reviewing safety issues – many companies are beginning to phase it out, reports Bloomberg. And drug regulators say they will only revisit Colgate Total if they find sufficient reason to, according to The Daily Mail.
At this point in time, however, there isn't enough evidence about the chemical's potential for harm to warrant sending them back to the drawing boards with their toothpaste formula, Thomas DiPiazza, a Colgate spokesperson, told Opposing Views
"In the nearly 18 years that Colgate Total has been on the market in the U.S., there has been no signal of a safety issue from adverse-event reports," DiPiazza said.
Reports indicate that Colgate-Palmolive had already removed the dangerous chemical from their soap products but the company has no plans to change the toothpaste formula, according to Opposing Views.
The FDA is conducting further investigations of the chemical and will decide by 2016 if any industry resrictions or regulations will be issued.
