6. Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate: strongly implicated as the causative factor in certain hypersensitivity reactions.
Sodium pyrophosphate--also called tetrasodium pyrophosphate or tetrasodium phosphate--is a slightly toxic and mildly irritating colourless transparent crystalline chemical compound with the formula Na4P2O7 and CAS number 7722-88-5.
Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate can be a colourless or white crystalline powder that is often used as a pH buffer and emulsifier. Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate promotes the binding of protein and water as well as the binding of soy particles.
It is also a source of the nutrient phosphorus. Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate has many uses, such as thickening pudding, and can be found in toothpaste as it removes calcium and magnesium from saliva to prevent their depositing on teeth. In toothpaste and dental floss, sodium pyrophosphate acts as a tartar control agent, serving to remove calcium and magnesium from saliva and thus preventing them from being deposited on teeth.
Sounds great right? Consider this: exposure to tetrasodium pyrophosphate causes irritation in humans. It is an alkaline chemical and acute exposures have resulted in mild to moderate irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and respiratory passages.
Tetrasodium pyrophosphate in a dentifrice forms a slightly alkaline solution upon oral use which could irritate oral membranes.
Second, increased concentrations of flavouring agents, known to be sensitiser's, are needed to mask the strong bitter taste of pyrophosphates. Many of the chemical based personal products we use just like in shampoo can be absorbed directly into the blood stream, by-passing the entire digestive system. Some of these synthetic ingredients pass through the body and leave it but others are not so kind. They are deposited in certain glands and organs and accumulate there. For example an independent scientist reported in his research findings that Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, which is an abundant ingredient in most toothpaste, absorbs through the skin and can accumulate in the eyes causing cataracts.
Acute exposure to tetrasodium pyrophosphate may cause mild to moderate irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and respiratory passages. No signs or symptoms of chronic exposure to tetrasodium pyrophosphate have been reported in humans. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Phosphates are slowly and incompletely absorbed when ingested, and seldom result in systemic effects. Such effects, however, have occurred.
Symptoms may include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhoea, blood chemistry effects, heart disturbances and central nervous system effects. The toxicity of phosphates is due to their ability to sequester calcium. Chronic ingestion or inhalation may induce systemic phosphorous poisoning. Liver damage, kidney damage, jaw/tooth abnormalities, blood disorders and cardiovascular effects can result.
7. Sorbitol
Sorbitol is most commonly used as a sugar substitute, and as you would probably assume is used largely to give toothpaste a somewhat pleasant taste. Doesn’t sound bad huh? Well, when you consider sorbitol as a laxative, a humectant and a thickener in various shampoos, it may make you think twice about using it in your toothpaste to keep your mouth fresh and clean.
8. Sodium Saccharin
Sodium Saccharin is another artificial sweetener used to make toothpaste taste good, but in a number of countries it is outlawed as an additive.
