3 ms·

Your comment sounds like the FDA declared triclosan in Colgate Total to be harmful. That is not true: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm205999.

by biot 10y ago

Your comment sounds like the FDA declared triclosan in Colgate Total to be harmful. That is not true: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm205999.htm#3 http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm205999.ht... "For some consumer products, there is evidence that triclosan provides a benefit. In 1997, FDA reviewed extensive effectiveness data on triclosan in Colgate Total toothpaste. The evidence showed that triclosan in that product was effective in preventing gingivitis."

tlb 10y ago
"Effective in preventing X" doesn't mean it doesn't cause harm Y.
- biot 10y ago
  Sure, but if that were the case one should provide evidence of these harms instead of making statements that contradict what the FDA's own site claims.
  - M_Grey 10y ago
    Or you could just avoid it on the basis that possible, minimal benefits that can be gotten through proper dental care aren't worth any potential risks at all.
hammock 10y ago
The FDA proposed as early as 1978 to ban triclosan in consumer products.[1] The proposal was updated in 1994 but never finalized. "At each stage of the proposed and tentative rulemaking process, the FDA has acknowledged that based on available scientific evidence, triclosan and triclocarban are not safe and effective, or there are insufficient data to evaluate safety and effectiveness."[2] (There are a number of studies you may find that show triclosan causing harm) [1]https://www.nrdc.org/media/2013/131122 https://www.nrdc.org/media/2013/131122 [2]http://www.hpm.com/pdf/Triclosan%20-%20NRDC%20MSJ.pdf http://www.hpm.com/pdf/Triclosan%20-%20NRDC%20MSJ.pdf
- biot 10y ago
  Thank you, I appreciate the links. So triclosan is: not (safe and effective) || insufficient data From a cursory reading, I gather that it can/does cause harm during developmental years, making it unsuitable for children or pregnant/nursing mothers. However, I'm not sure how to evaluate the level of harm it introduces in something like toothpaste. Is it a similar level of harm as, say, aspirin or tea tree oil which are also known endocrine disruptors? Note: I ask as I use Colgate Total myself and if harm >> benefits at the concentration levels found in toothpaste, then I have a vested interest in discontinuing its use. A doctor might advise a patient who has a genetic risk of heart disease to take small quantities of aspirin, just as a dentist might advise someone with a gingivitis risk to use triclosan-containing toothpaste -- in both cases, a determination of benefit:harm must be evaluated.
  - hammock 10y ago
    Wow now I'm wondering about tea tree oil which I use myself. Have any links you can share?
    - biot 10y ago
      https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/lavender-tea-tree-oils-may-cause-breast-growth-boys https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/lavender-tea-t... “The results of our laboratory studies confirm that pure lavender and tea tree oils can mimic the actions of estrogens and inhibit the effects of androgens,” said Korach. “This combinatorial activity makes them somewhat unique as endocrine disruptors.” The referenced study: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa064725 http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa064725 Abstract: "Most cases of male prepubertal gynecomastia are classified as idiopathic. We investigated possible causes of gynecomastia in three prepubertal boys who were otherwise healthy and had normal serum concentrations of endogenous steroids. In all three boys, gynecomastia coincided with the topical application of products that contained lavender and tea tree oils. Gynecomastia resolved in each patient shortly after the use of products containing these oils was discontinued. Furthermore, studies in human cell lines indicated that the two oils had estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities. We conclude that repeated topical exposure to lavender and tea tree oils probably caused prepubertal gynecomastia in these boys."

by biot 10y ago

tlb 10y ago

"Effective in preventing X" doesn't mean it doesn't cause harm Y.

biot 10y ago
Sure, but if that were the case one should provide evidence of these harms instead of making statements that contradict what the FDA's own site claims.
- M_Grey 10y ago
  Or you could just avoid it on the basis that possible, minimal benefits that can be gotten through proper dental care aren't worth any potential risks at all.

hammock 10y ago

The FDA proposed as early as 1978 to ban triclosan in consumer products.[1] The proposal was updated in 1994 but never finalized. "At each stage of the proposed and tentative rulemaking process, the FDA has acknowledged that based on available scientific evidence, triclosan and triclocarban are not safe and effective, or there are insufficient data to evaluate safety and effectiveness."[2] (There are a number of studies you may find that show triclosan causing harm) [1]https://www.nrdc.org/media/2013/131122 https://www.nrdc.org/media/2013/131122 [2]http://www.hpm.com/pdf/Triclosan%20-%20NRDC%20MSJ.pdf http://www.hpm.com/pdf/Triclosan%20-%20NRDC%20MSJ.pdf

biot 10y ago
Thank you, I appreciate the links. So triclosan is: not (safe and effective) || insufficient data From a cursory reading, I gather that it can/does cause harm during developmental years, making it unsuitable for children or pregnant/nursing mothers. However, I'm not sure how to evaluate the level of harm it introduces in something like toothpaste. Is it a similar level of harm as, say, aspirin or tea tree oil which are also known endocrine disruptors? Note: I ask as I use Colgate Total myself and if harm >> benefits at the concentration levels found in toothpaste, then I have a vested interest in discontinuing its use. A doctor might advise a patient who has a genetic risk of heart disease to take small quantities of aspirin, just as a dentist might advise someone with a gingivitis risk to use triclosan-containing toothpaste -- in both cases, a determination of benefit:harm must be evaluated.
- hammock 10y ago
  Wow now I'm wondering about tea tree oil which I use myself. Have any links you can share?
  - biot 10y ago
    https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/lavender-tea-tree-oils-may-cause-breast-growth-boys https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/lavender-tea-t... “The results of our laboratory studies confirm that pure lavender and tea tree oils can mimic the actions of estrogens and inhibit the effects of androgens,” said Korach. “This combinatorial activity makes them somewhat unique as endocrine disruptors.” The referenced study: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa064725 http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa064725 Abstract: "Most cases of male prepubertal gynecomastia are classified as idiopathic. We investigated possible causes of gynecomastia in three prepubertal boys who were otherwise healthy and had normal serum concentrations of endogenous steroids. In all three boys, gynecomastia coincided with the topical application of products that contained lavender and tea tree oils. Gynecomastia resolved in each patient shortly after the use of products containing these oils was discontinued. Furthermore, studies in human cell lines indicated that the two oils had estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities. We conclude that repeated topical exposure to lavender and tea tree oils probably caused prepubertal gynecomastia in these boys."