Hexachlorophene

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32880, 1 April 1972, Page 16

Hexachlorophene

Sir,—Three months ago, after scientists had found that hexachlorophene can be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and damage brain cells the United States Food and Drug Administration banned all further manufacture of cosmetics with even minute quantities of this chemical (many soaps, shampoos, and almost all deodorants). "The Press”

reported the findings (March 15) but gives no information as to which products on the New Zealand market contain the substance. “Time” magazine specifies only phisohex (widely used in New Zealand hospitals on infants, who are especially vulnerable to H.C.P.). When Will products with H.C.P. be banned in New Zealand and when will it be compulsory here as it is in Sweden for all products to carry a full declaration of ingredients? At present consumers are groping in the dark, totallv at the mercy of manufacturers who are mainly concerned with profit.—Yours, etc., A. LILBURN. March 20, 1972. [Mr A. H. Paul, deputy director, division of clinical services of the Department of Health, replies: “The safety of hexachlordphene when used topically under normal conditions appears to have been established by widespread use in a great variety of products over a number of years, and no adverse reactions to it have been reported to the New Zealand committee on Adverse Drug Reactions. The Medical Research Council in New Zealand is investigating the extent of absorption of hexachlorophene through the skin of infants when used for preventing staphylococci! infections according to the technique which has been in operation ip this country for many years. Unless and until this investigation should seem to .require it, or until additional information of significance should come to hand, no action is contemplated by the Department of Health to tighten control of products at present available to the public. Present legislation (Section 187 of the Food and Drug Regulations, 1946) sets out the conditions under which the active ingredients of a substance must be declared when sold by retail for the prevention or treatment of any ailment, nV firmity, or injury of the human body.'”] ■