There’s triclosan in your paste too
Scientists in the Indian Council of Medical Research, however, say that there is a need to create awareness about triclosan
By : kaniza garari
Update: 2015-09-25 01:59 GMT
Hyderabad: A study published in Chemical Research in Toxicology states that triclosan in toothpaste, anti-perspirants, deodorants, cleansers, hand sanitizers, personal care products etc. lead to growth of cancer cells.
However, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation had declared it safe in India in its meeting on January 30 this year on anti-microbial and anti-viral products.
Scientists in the Indian Council of Medical Research, however, say that there is a need to create awareness about triclosan.
This is because pesticides like DDT and asbestos were earlier considered safe but later found to be harmful and were banned. Similarly, triclosan must also be on the check list, they say.
A senior scientist seeking anonymity said, “There is a strong need to create awareness about this chemical. It has been found in animal studies that triclosan affects the heart muscles, reproductive organs and also leads to contraction of skeletal muscle fibers. A toothpaste allows triclosan to enter the system faster and can cause damage over a prolonged period of time.”
Triclosan can pass through skin and affect the endocrine disruption, leading to hormonal changes and also hormonal imbalances.
In a study conducted by Environmental Health Perspectives, it was found that scientists detected triclosan in the urine of nearly 75 per cent of the 2,517 people tested.
But there are many who are indirectly using triclosan, in their personal care products, hand sanitizers and also soaps.
The CDSCO observation in January was in relation to the presence of triclosan in a household product.
The minutes of the meeting states that the product was approved by USFDA, EU and many other countries.
The minutes quoted: “The vitro testing of the product has shown that it can be continued in the market.”
Dr Sistla Ramakrishna, principal scientist, Pharmacology division, CSIR- IICT Hyderabad, said, “The ill-effects of triclosan have been shown in animal studies but we can’t assure that the same is applicable to humans also. But, if there is a safer alternative to triclosan than one must opt for it. Triclosan so far has proved to be safer than other harmful chemicals.If a better or safer option is available than we must look forward to it.”