Impact of Colgate Toothpaste on Local and Global Health

This article discusses the impact of Colgate toothpaste on local and global health. It covers the chemicals used in manufacturing, carbon footprint, and the effect on marine life and the environment. It also suggests alternatives to using toothpaste with harmful chemicals.

Running Head: Local and Global Health 0
Local and Global Health
September 20
2019

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Local and Global Health
Colgate-Palmolive Company is an Umbrella brand which is mainly focused upon oral hygiene
product such as toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash, dental floss, etc. The first product of the
company was launched in 1873 while the company was founded in 1806 by William Colgate;
headquarter of the company is located at Park Avenue New York (Pan, 2019).
Some chemicals which are used in the manufacturing of Colgate toothpaste are problematic
those chemicals are spat down and they leak into the river, lakes, and ocean, which becomes the
reason of serious water pollution. Sodium pyrophosphate which is one of the ingredients is one
of the reasons for the growth of algae in waterways when it is drained through the sink. These
algae consume or they take away oxygen from the water due to which the whole marine life get
affected i.e. marine animals, as well as the plants, will not be able to survive (Toothpaste and
Society , 2019 ). In 2007 due to use of diethyl glycol in the manufacturing of toothpaste
approximately 300 people in Panama died. This chemical is used to anti-freeze; this chemical is
responsible for failure of kidney, paralysis and often death(Wainless, and Hohlbein, Colgate
Palmolive Co, 2019). During the production of toothpaste due to the involvement of different
gases carbon and other greenhouse gases releases the phenomenon is known as carbon footprint.
In 2009 the carbon footprint of the company was examined and it was 13233 metric tons of
carbon dioxide. More the greenhouse gases will release the risk for global warming will also
increase. Due to global warming the temperature of planet earth is rising from its core, as a
result, the glaciers of north pole are melting. Due to melting of glaciers level of sea are rising and
with the rise in temperature other climate activities are also affected. The boxes of Colgate
toothpaste are made up of paperboard which contributes to the deforestation due to which water
consumption is increased and emission of the greenhouse gases is also increased. According to
the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy for the contamination of air, water, and
land the paper and pulp production contributes to sixth place with a high rate. However,
according to the statement of the company they are reducing the number of chemicals which are
the reason for causing potential harm to the environment.The triclosan where not only affect the
health of human but also building up ocean web due to which the growth and the development of
hormones in the marine animals and bacteria are affected (Singh , 2019).

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The environment which is related to the manufacturing of Colgate is water and land i.e. they are
major affected regions from the product. The climatic change, temperature rise, the imbalance of
environmental activities can be seen. As Triclosan is one component which has its specific
effect on the environment but later on Colgate state that a very small amount of triclosan enters
in environment after being rinsed down the drain approximately 98% of this chemical is removed
through the wastewater treatment plant. It is a biodegradable chemical hence the remaining
quantity of this chemical will continue to break down into the aquatic environment. The link
between Colgate and Environment is very sensitive as from the manufacturing to its use there are
various impacts which are observed and they are found harmful for the entire planet. The
emission of the carbon, use of water, energy use and waste generation are interconnected with
the production of the Colgate. The lives of living beings are affected by the chemicals present in
the product many diseases are observed due to the use of these chemicals. It is found that global
warming significantly as well as costly impacts on the human community including health and
climate. These impacts are rapidly damaging the planet in which everyone is included (Colgate-
Palmolive Company , 2019).
Rise in the temperature due to carbon emission the carbon footprint is increasing in the
environment, as a result, the issue of global warming is also rising. Global warming is one of the
major problems at the present time. The rise in temperature disturbs all the activities and function
of environment. Whereas the marine life of the planet is also affected due to toxic chemicals
released from the production and by the consumption. The depletion of ozone layer, increased
wildlife fire, loss in the biodiversity, the risk factor of infectious diseases are the major risks
which are examined (Chadha , 2013 ). In summer season when the lake water stratifies the
warmer water stays near to the surface instead of getting mix with the cool water. Due to
triclosan which is present in the Colgate reduces the effect of cyanobacteria which plays critical
role in fixing of nitrogen from the atmosphere and reduce in the temperature of water and when
this bacteria will not able to perform its function the cycle get affected and marine animals also
get affected. (Rege, Suriano, Sullivan, and Stranick, Colgate-Palmolive Co, 2019).
In my views, the evidence which is available for triclosan is credible because there are many
surveys get performed on the chemical and impact which obtained lead us to this conclusion
(Mihaich, Capdevielle, Urbach‐Ross, Gallagher, and Wolf, 2019). In these surveys, it was found
that this chemical can be used in the personal care products but in none of the analysis the long

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term follows up was not conducted due to which the adverse effect was not able to note. It was
observed in some results that this chemical can affect the pregnane which is also known as X
receptor by affecting the metabolism of the human body. The manufacturing of the Colgate
toothpaste also impacting on the environment the marine life and the air is getting contaminated
in order to minimize this adverse effect the company should plan to maintain their plant away
from the cities or area with the large population. The company should use the methods through
which the effect of the pollutant can be reduced (Samuelsson, 2014 ). It is mandatory for the
monitoring of products and their production process because the pollutants released from their
plant affecting the entire planet and living beings. In order to minimize these effects or to stop
the distadvantages, there are some methods and techniques are introduced, if the control will be
not conducted at right time then results will be very serious (McNamara & Carey , 2015 ).
Colgate is the company which is famous worldwide for the distribution of health care and
personal care products; in the market of oral care hygiene, Colgate is leading company with the
market share of 42.1% globally (Ruan, Huiyan, and Hardy, Colgate-Palmolive Co, 2019). From
my perception even if the quantity of the chemical in the toothpaste is low but as we all use this
product every day it impacts on our health. In many cases it was also observed that women are
observed by suffering from breast cancer hence there are other products of the Colgate are
available in which the triclosan is not available. I would recommend for not using such products
including triclosan for the safety of our body. In 2018 somehow company faces some challenges
due to rise in the commodity costs and exchange rates instead of that company is rising with the
increase of 4% in the net sale every year which will increase in my views (Cury & Tenuta,
2014 ). So it is the responsibility of the company that is a leader they should also focus on
developing or launching products which are free from triclosan or either reduce the quantity. The
company should promote its other products which are available in the market in which triclosan
is not present.

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References
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Cury , J. A. & Tenuta, L. M. A., 2014 . Evidence-based recommendation on use of Toothpaste.
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McNamara, P. J. & Carey , D. E., 2015 . The impact of triclosan on the spread of antibiotic
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