Total Toothpaste Contains a Hazardous Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical

The antibacterial agent called triclosan, can be found in soaps, antibacterial wipes, cutting boards, bathmats, toys, clothing, household furnishings, pet food dispensers and Colgate Total Toothpaste. Colgate is the most popular toothpaste brand in America. Despite the widespread use of triclosan, troubling questions linger about its potentially harmful effects, especially for children.

Research has shown that triclosan can alter hormone regulation and may interfere with fetal development. Animal studies have also raised concerns about its ability to affect fertility and bacteria exposed to triclosan may also become resistant to antibiotics. Even an increased cancer risk has been suggested. On top of all of that, triclosan may also have a negative impact on thyroid function.

Triclosan Removed from Soap, But Still Found in Best-Selling Toothpaste:
Three years ago, Colgate-Palmolive responded to safety concerns brought forth by consumer groups by removing triclosan from its soap products. But the company left it in its best-selling toothpaste, Colgate Total. (Colgate Total is the only triclosan-containing toothpaste sold in the US.)

If triclosan can cause potential health problems when used topically, using it in your mouth is not going to be any safer. Chemicals are readily absorbed in your oral cavity through your mucus membranes.

Toxicology Studies Withheld from Public View:

According to a featured Bloomberg report, 35 pages of summaries of the toxicology studies performed on triclosan were initially withheld by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

They only became available via a Freedom of Information Act request from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The toxicology summaries are now available on the FDA’s website.

“The recently released pages, taken alongside new research on triclosan, raise questions about whether the agency did appropriate due diligence in approving Total 17 years ago, and whether its approval should stand in light of new research”, said three scientists who reviewed the pages at Bloomberg News’ request.

Triclosan Is One of the Most Prevalent Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on the Market:

Animal studies showed that triclosan caused fetal bone malformations in mice and rats. Colgate claimed the findings were irrelevant. But bone deformations may suggest at hormonal effects that are affecting the endocrine system. There were also apparent weaknesses in Colgate’s cancer studies.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are a serious concern, as they can promote a wide variety of health problems, including: breast, ovarian, prostate and testicular cancers, preterm and low birth weight babies, precocious puberty in girls and undescended testicles in boys.

According to Thomas Zoeller, a biology professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who specializes in how chemicals affect the endocrine system, there are an estimated 800-1,000 endocrine-disrupting chemicals on the market. Triclosan is one of the top 10 used on a regular basis by many people, so removing triclosan may have a significant positive impact.

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