India - Fluoride content info missing on toothpastes: CERC
Express News Service
The CHILDREN may have gulped fluoridated lather from their toothpastes several times. But before their teeth get used to the flavour of the toothpaste, it is likely that fluoride in toothpastes could pose a problem.
A survey conducted by an Ahmedabad-based consumer organisation has found that most products of a leading toothpaste manufacturer in India do not show the exact content of fluoride.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has placed an upper limit of 1,000-ppm fluoride. The the Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC), which has found higher concentration of fluoride in toothpastes, has suggested bringing down the specified limit to 500 ppm.
CERC Trustee C J Sishoo said, “Low fluoride concentrations 0.3-0.4 parts per million (ppm) in toothpastes is important for dental enamel in children. At higher concentrations (more than 1.5 ppm), fluoride can pose a serious health hazard.”
India is one of the 23 countries with excessive fluoride presence in drinking water and food. In Gujarat, population in 18 districts is threatened by high fluoride content, said CERC officials.
Shishoo added that skeletal fluorosis has crippled a large population in Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa.
Based on the survey, (CERC), Ahmedabad has recently written to the authorities to give choice for fluoridated and non-fluoridated toothpastes for customers.
The CHILDREN may have gulped fluoridated lather from their toothpastes several times. But before their teeth get used to the flavour of the toothpaste, it is likely that fluoride in toothpastes could pose a problem.
A survey conducted by an Ahmedabad-based consumer organisation has found that most products of a leading toothpaste manufacturer in India do not show the exact content of fluoride.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has placed an upper limit of 1,000-ppm fluoride. The the Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC), which has found higher concentration of fluoride in toothpastes, has suggested bringing down the specified limit to 500 ppm.
CERC Trustee C J Sishoo said, “Low fluoride concentrations 0.3-0.4 parts per million (ppm) in toothpastes is important for dental enamel in children. At higher concentrations (more than 1.5 ppm), fluoride can pose a serious health hazard.”
India is one of the 23 countries with excessive fluoride presence in drinking water and food. In Gujarat, population in 18 districts is threatened by high fluoride content, said CERC officials.
Shishoo added that skeletal fluorosis has crippled a large population in Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa.
Based on the survey, (CERC), Ahmedabad has recently written to the authorities to give choice for fluoridated and non-fluoridated toothpastes for customers.
posted by Bill at
10:08 AM
1 Comments:
All the MNC brand toothpastes (e.g., colgate, pepsodent, etc.) are loaded with fluoride. There are many purely Indian brands available without fluoride, but because of the advertisement blitz by MNCs, their toothpaste poisoned with fluoride is what is preferred by most people. Only if you look at the *minute* lettering on the tubes or their cartons will you find that the pastes have fluoride in them. Even then, it will be shown as phosphofluoridate, not as plain fluoride. People are unwittingly made to consume fluoride from toothpastes. CERTAIN MOUTHWASHES, also contain VERY HIGH CONCENTRATIONS of fluoride. Our government ought to ban the fluoride-containing toothpastes and mouthwashes.
By
witan, at 02 January, 2010
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