S.Korean Authorities Discover 100 Toothpastes With Toxic Chemicals

South Korean health authorities discovered more than 100 toothpastes that contains chemicals used for toxic humidifier sterilizers.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the amount of chemicals' miniscule contains no harm and it has detected methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and chloro-methylisothiazolinone (CMIT) in the 149 products from 10 manufacturers while the ministry reviewed the toothpastes by 68 makers.

CMIT and MIT were chemicals used for humidifier sterilizers which resulted to more than 200 deaths. These toxic chemicals are also called "Isothiazolinones" which is a powerful preservative and synthetic biocide that are used for personal care products like cosmetics, moisturizers, lotions, wipes, sunscreen, and many more. If there is a large content of CMIT/MIT in leave-on products like body creams, it may result to allergies. However, some companies like Kimberly-Clark and Colgate-Palmolive have started using biocide as an ingredient in mouthwash like Colgate Total Lasting White while some companies are already consider removing biocide in their products.

Earlier last week, the ministry ordered to recall the 25 toothpastes produced by the two manufacturers to check its CMIT/MIT content. The ministry announced on Friday that some of the recalled toothpastes were included in the 149 products that contain CMIT and MIT.

According to the test result conducted in the products, the recalled toothpastes contained 0.0022-0.0044 ppm of CMIT/MIT which is quite far from the maximum permissible level of 15 ppm in Europe. Even though the toxic chemicals pose no significant health risks to the consumers when it is properly rinse with water, the health authorities still want to make sure the safety of these products. The ministry also said that the products only contain small amounts of the substances.

Based on the local regulations, it is only up to 15 ppm of CMIT/MIT are allowed in wash-off type products like body wash and shampoo. However, these chemicals are banned in the so-called "quasi-drugs" such as mouthwash and toothpaste. The ministry is also going to inspect and tests the CMIT/MIT contents of insect repellants, air fresheners, and preservatives.