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Ivette Lopez
English 1102
Should a Chemical Banned From Soup Still be on Your Toothpaste?

Triclosan (TCS), was an antibacterial chemical that was found mainly on your
antibacterial soups. It proved it was able to fight off any viruses and diseases that could cause
you to get sick, but as recently as last month it was banned from all soups by the Food and Drug
Administration (F.D.A). It was found that washing your hands with plain regular soup and water
does just the same effect that it would if you were using and antibacterial soup. Although it was
banned from antibacterial soups, the chemical TCS is still found to be in one of Americas
favorite toothpaste, Colgate Total. Colgate was able to keep the chemical in their product by
convincing the F.D.A that it overweighs any risks and TCS was actually a key ingredient in
fighting off gingivitis and plaque. The idea that TCS has been banned from soups and not
toothpastes has many skeptical as if it is really safe to use because there are higher chances of a
dangerous chemical getting into the blood stream faster through the gums than through your
hands. In 1997, when Colgate got the approval to use TCS in their toothpastes it went through a
series of comprehensive evaluations, one reviewer found carcinogenicity, reproductive and
developmental toxicity, skin irritation, and short term and long term toxicity in their research,
but the F.D.A included more than 100 studies which only provided annual monitoring and
safety updates. Many today fear that too much exposure can be dangerous especially for
infants as it could possibly disrupt their normal development in the long run. It has been stated
before that TCS in Colgate Totals toothpaste is annually monitored by the F.D.A, but if TCS has
many uneasy about it short-term effects how safe is it really to keep it on one of Americas
number one toothpaste brands.

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Work Cited

"5 Things to Know About Triclosan." (2016): 1-2. U.S Food & Drug Administration. Sept.
2016. Web.
8 Sept. 2016.
Saint Louis, Catherine. "Why a Chemical Banned From Soap Is Still in Your
Toothpaste." The New
York Times. N.p., 7 Sept. 2016. Web. 8 Sept. 2016.