Tom's of Maine Naturally Flat Floss Spearmint || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

TOM'S OF MAINE NATURALLY FLAT FLOSS SPEARMINT

last updated: 05/01/06 brand: Tom's of Maine by Colgate-Palmolive Company

SCORE

low hazard (out of 10)

91%

data gap

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38% of dental floss have lower concerns

COMPANY POLICIES

Compact for Safe Cosmetics
Non-compliant: This company has signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics and made progress toward compliance, but has not met all requirements: they have not yet fully listed all ingredients on product labels.

Animal Testing Policy
This company does not test on animals.

Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to one or more ingredients in this product -- not the product itself -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

Ingredients in this product are linked to:
	Cancer
	Developmental/reproductive toxicity
	Violations, restrictions & warnings
	Allergies/immunotoxicity
	Other concerns for ingredients used in this product: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

Ingredients from packaging: SPEARMINT OIL, BEESWAX, JOJOBA WAX, CARNAUBA WAX, MYRRH, PROPOLIS.

Directions from packaging: Grasp about 18" of ribbon floss between thumb and fingers of both hands; gently work between each tooth to just below the gum line. Draw plaque away by sliding the taut floss against the surface of each tooth.

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ingredients

	score	data gap	concerns
ACACIA FARNESIANA GUM	3	70%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
PROPOLIS	1	93%	none identified
MENTHA SPICATA (SPEARMINT) OIL	1	88%	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
COMMIPHORA MYRRHA (MYRRH)	0	100%	none identified
SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) WAX	0	99%	none identified
BEESWAX	0	93%	none identified
COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX	0	93%	none identified

Cancer*

*This table includes all possible cancer concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results		MENTHA SPICATA (SPEARMINT) OIL
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results		ACACIA FARNESIANA GUM

Developmental/reproductive toxicity*

*This table includes all possible developmental/reproductive toxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses		ACACIA FARNESIANA GUM

Violations, restrictions & warnings*

*This table includes all possible violations, restrictions & warnings concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Restrictions on impurities recommended by industry safety panel		ACACIA FARNESIANA GUM

Allergies/immunotoxicity*

*This table includes all possible allergies/immunotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Human immune system toxicant - moderate evidence		ACACIA FARNESIANA GUM

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)*

*This table includes all possible organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		MENTHA SPICATA (SPEARMINT) OIL
Possible human immune system toxicant		ACACIA FARNESIANA GUM

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)*

*This table includes all possible irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses		MENTHA SPICATA (SPEARMINT) OIL
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses		PROPOLIS

Data gaps*

*This table includes all possible data gaps concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Safety assessment was based on related chemical		SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) WAX
Insufficient data to determine safety		ACACIA FARNESIANA GUM
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product		COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		PROPOLIS
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product		BEESWAX
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		MENTHA SPICATA (SPEARMINT) OIL, COMMIPHORA MYRRHA (MYRRH)