China Bans Antifreeze Chemical in Toothpaste

As China struggles to regain international confidence in the country's exports, they have banned diethylene glycol, a thickening agent in antifreeze, from use in toothpaste. Chinese made toothpaste containing the toxic substance, which can cause kidney failure, paralysis and death, has been yanked from sales in North and South America, Europe and Asia in recent weeks. Although there have been no reports of health problems stemming from the toothpaste, dozens of people in Panama died last year after taking medicine contaminated with the chemical imported from China. It was passed off as harmless glycerin.