Purity: What the News Doesn't Tell you

London's Evening Standard newspaper gave a surprising cancer alert warning-about toothpaste! It seems a study conducted in the U.S. has British chain stores such as Marks & Spencer removing brand-name toothpastes like Colgate® , Aquafresh® , Dentyl, and Sensodyne® from their shelves.

Dr. Peter Vikesland of Virginia Polytechnic Institute found that the antibacterial chemical triclosan can react with the chlorine in water to produce chloroform gas.

Researchers believe that over time, inhaled chloroform can result in depression, liver ailments, and even cancer. Said Dr. Vikesland, "The amount of gas formed is very low but I think the key thing is that we just don't know what the effects are. However, manufacturers do have to list triclosan on their ingredients, so if consumers are worried, the best advice is to avoid such products with the chemical." 1

Vikesland's study was published in the online Science News of Environmental Science & Technology, April 6, 2005. Vikesland wrote: "This is the first work that we know of that suggests that consumer products, such as antimicrobial soap, can produce significant quantities of chloroform." Virginia Tech's press release noted that most of the consumer products that contain triclosan are eventually discharged down residential drains, and University of Minnesota researchers have found that photochemical reactions of triclosan could be producing dioxins in the presence of sunlight. 2

Young Living's dental hygiene and personal care products never have and never will contain triclosan!

Notes
1. Mark Prigg, Science Correspondent and Rebecca Lawrence, Evening Standard , "Toothpaste cancer alert," This is LONDON, Evening Standard, April 15, 2005.
2. Press Release: Virginia Tech News, "Researcher: Being too clean could be hazardous to your health and environment," April 15, 2004.