Coal tar safety
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
FDA asked to conduct "formal review" of coal tar use in shampoo, soap and ointments by Occupational Knowledge International in a March 6 petition. The agency should "restrict the sales and distribution of these products to prescription sales," the group states. As a "known carcinogen," coal tar "labeling requirements are insufficient and require additional warning to protect public health." Coal tar use in OTC drug products was banned in Germany in 1995 and in the European Union in 1997, the comments point out. Occupational Knowledge International is involved in ongoing litigation with Cal-EPA regarding coal tar safety