The Hindu Business Line : `Indian Dental Association watching developments on triclosan'

THE Indian Dental Association (IDA) said on Monday that it has not issued any guidance to dentists so far on the `triclosan' issue, which is causing a stir among oral care manufacturers globally.

Dr Ashok Dhoble, Honorary Secretary General of IDA, said, "At this stage, we are watching the international developments. This (the study that claims triclosan reacts with excess chlorine in tap water to produce chloroform, which is harmful for humans) is an independent study, and we will wait for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to give its word on the issue. We have not issued any guidance to dentists (on triclosan) so far."

The presence of triclosan in toothpastes raised some questions across the globe last week, after researchers at US-based Virginia Tech University claimed to have found that this chemical reacts with chlorine in tap water to produce chloroform, a probable carcinogen. This research finding led to questions on whether it is safe to use toothpastes or any other product containing triclosan.

Colgate Total is one of the toothpastes available in India that contains triclosan. A Colgate spokesperson said, "Colgate toothpaste has been reviewed and approved by regulatory bodies around the world, including the US FDA, the UK Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authorities and numerous other governmental and regulatory bodies. The laboratory study recently reported in the press did not involve toothpaste or present any reason for concern about the safe use of Colgate Total toothpaste."

Other toothpaste manufacturers reacted on similar lines. A Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) spokesperson, said triclosan is permitted by the Indian FDA (HLL's Pepsodent also contains triclosan). "Triclosan has been extensively studied as an ingredient and has been shown to be completely safe in toothpaste. On that basis, we would like to assure you that it is safe to continue using Pepsodent. The safety of triclosan in products, including toothpastes, is supported by the European Commission's Scientific Committee for Consumer Products and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel in the US," he said.

The spokesperson added that HLL's parent company Unilever believes that the US experiments were done on dishwashing products under conditions that did not mimic real-life conditions. "Chloroform is well-studied, and we can confidently state that the levels discussed in the research were extremely low in the context of normal exposure from drinking water, and therefore, any increase in risk is negligible."

Meanwhile, the President of the Indian Soap & Toiletries Makers' Association, Mr H. K. Press, said in a release that triclosan has been used safely and effectively in hygiene products around the world for more than three decades, "and is comprehensively regulated by appropriate national and international bodies."

Dabur India Ltd said none of its products contain triclosan. It sells Dabur Lal Dant Manjan (toothpowder), Dabur Red toothpaste, Dabur Red Gel, Meswak, Babool and Promise toothpastes.

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