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Liquid cleanser patented by Unilever
F O C US 3 years, had squeezed a capsule, making it burst and splash. All suffered damage to the cells lining the cornea, and four also sustained significant injuries to the conjunctiva. They were kept in hospital for two to five days. Their injuries eventually healed, but the doctors say they might be at risk of longer-term problems from exposure of the eye to the strongly alkaline liquid. In a letter to The Lancet, the Dublin consultants called for the existing warnings on packaging – which state that they should be kept out of the reach of children – to be made stronger and more obvious, and suggested modifying the packaging to make it child-proof. The capsules are ‘of just the right size and consistency for kids to be interested in to squeeze,’ said Dr Noel Horgan, one of the consultants involved, adding that they wanted to raise people’s awareness of the possible danger. In a statement, manufacturer Procter & Gamble said: ‘Liquid Detergent Tablets have been on the market since Spring 2001. Like all laundry and cleaning products, they contain surfactant that under accidental exposure can cause irritation and discomfort to the eye [as] described by the authors. Like other laundry products they should be kept away from children, and in the event of accidental exposure the eye should be promptly rinsed thoroughly with water and medical advice obtained. This is clearly communicated on the pack.’ Safety evaluations concluded that accidental exposure of the eye caused no lasting damage, P&G said. On the subject of child-proof containers, it said these caused ‘a significant proportion of the population very real difficulties and should only be applied when necessary’. BBC News, 11 Aug 2005 (Website: http://www.news.bbc.co.uk)
Health NanoBio completes successful Phase II cold sore trial Nanoemulsion technology company NanoBio Corp has successfully completed its Phase II study of NB001 in patients with herpes labialis (cold sores) and is moving ahead with plans to conduct Phase III clinical OCTOBER 2005
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trials in 2006. NB-001 is a topical emulsion composed of nanometresize water/oil droplets coated with a surfactant that has demonstrated potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity in previous studies. These uniformly small antimicrobial particles are designed to accelerate the healing of skin ulcers by killing the herpes viruses at the lesion site. In the multi-centre Phase II study, a significant proportion of subjects on the highest dose of NB-001 (0.1%) had healing two or more days earlier than the control group in a ten-day treatment randomized programme. Press release from: NanoBio Corp, PO Box 8110, Ann Arbor, MI 48107, USA. Tel: +1 734 302 4000. Fax: +1 734 302 9150. Website: http://www.nanobio.com (21 Jul 2005)
pesticide petition (PP 5E6952) from Tomah Products Inc proposing, pursuant to section 408(d) of the FFDCA, 21 USC 346a(d), to amend 40 CFR part 180 to establish an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for the use of any member of the class of alkoxylated ether amine surfactant inert ingredients in or on all raw agricultural commodities and food. EPA has determined that the petition contains data or information regarding the elements set forth in section 408(d)(2) of the FFDCA; however, EPA has not fully evaluated the sufficiency of the submitted data at this time or whether the data supports granting of the petition. Additional data may be needed before EPA rules on the petition.
Other
Federal Register, 20 Jul 2005, 70 (138), 41726-41730 (Website: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html)
Detergent-based cable oil service EA Technology has introduced a new detergent-based system for removing oil from redundant power cables. The system, which is said to eliminate up to 90% of oil, utilizes a detergent that is fully biodegradable. The waste produced is disposed of in compliance with proper regulations, providing a solution to the problem of cable decommissioning. Health and Safety at Work, Aug 2005, 27 (8), 19
PATENTS Liquid cleanser patented by Unilever Unilever Home & Personal Care USA has been awarded Patent No US 6,906,016 B1 for a liquid cleanser personal care product with a benefit agent, surfactant and a structuring system with linear fatty acids and modified or non-modified starch. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Aug 2005, 42 (8), 34
LEGISLATION Alkoxylated ether amines: notice of filing of a pesticide petition to establish a tolerance exemption in or on food The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has received a
MARKET REVIEWS Sales shine for consumer products 2Q 2005 has proved a good quarter for consumer companies, which have experienced improved margins through increased volume growth, price increases and favourable currency exchange rates. Sales of household, personal care and beauty products have been particularly strong in emerging markets in Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia. In contrast, sales in established markets in North America, Western Europe and Japan have been flat. In fiscal 4Q 2005 Procter & Gamble posted net sales of $14.3 bn, up 10%, and net earnings increased to $1.5 bn, up 9%. Procter & Gamble reports that sales in the detergents business have been weak. Unilever posted sales growth of 3% by volume and revenues of $12.8 bn, up 1% in 2Q 2005. Henkel posted sales of €3 bn, up 10% and operating profit of €296 M, up 14% in 2Q 2005. Henkel posted increased sales in all business sectors including laundry and home care, cosmetics and toiletries and consumer adhesives, with most in emerging markets. Church & Dwight posted 2Q 2005 sales of $456 M, up 6%. Colgate-Palmolive posted sales 5
Health NanoBio completes successful Phase II cold sore trial Nanoemulsion technology company NanoBio Corp has successfully completed its Phase II study of NB001 in patients with herpes labialis (cold sores) and is moving ahead with plans to conduct Phase III clinical OCTOBER 2005
O N
S U R FA C TA N T S
trials in 2006. NB-001 is a topical emulsion composed of nanometresize water/oil droplets coated with a surfactant that has demonstrated potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity in previous studies. These uniformly small antimicrobial particles are designed to accelerate the healing of skin ulcers by killing the herpes viruses at the lesion site. In the multi-centre Phase II study, a significant proportion of subjects on the highest dose of NB-001 (0.1%) had healing two or more days earlier than the control group in a ten-day treatment randomized programme. Press release from: NanoBio Corp, PO Box 8110, Ann Arbor, MI 48107, USA. Tel: +1 734 302 4000. Fax: +1 734 302 9150. Website: http://www.nanobio.com (21 Jul 2005)
pesticide petition (PP 5E6952) from Tomah Products Inc proposing, pursuant to section 408(d) of the FFDCA, 21 USC 346a(d), to amend 40 CFR part 180 to establish an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for the use of any member of the class of alkoxylated ether amine surfactant inert ingredients in or on all raw agricultural commodities and food. EPA has determined that the petition contains data or information regarding the elements set forth in section 408(d)(2) of the FFDCA; however, EPA has not fully evaluated the sufficiency of the submitted data at this time or whether the data supports granting of the petition. Additional data may be needed before EPA rules on the petition.
Other
Federal Register, 20 Jul 2005, 70 (138), 41726-41730 (Website: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html)
Detergent-based cable oil service EA Technology has introduced a new detergent-based system for removing oil from redundant power cables. The system, which is said to eliminate up to 90% of oil, utilizes a detergent that is fully biodegradable. The waste produced is disposed of in compliance with proper regulations, providing a solution to the problem of cable decommissioning. Health and Safety at Work, Aug 2005, 27 (8), 19
PATENTS Liquid cleanser patented by Unilever Unilever Home & Personal Care USA has been awarded Patent No US 6,906,016 B1 for a liquid cleanser personal care product with a benefit agent, surfactant and a structuring system with linear fatty acids and modified or non-modified starch. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Aug 2005, 42 (8), 34
LEGISLATION Alkoxylated ether amines: notice of filing of a pesticide petition to establish a tolerance exemption in or on food The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has received a
MARKET REVIEWS Sales shine for consumer products 2Q 2005 has proved a good quarter for consumer companies, which have experienced improved margins through increased volume growth, price increases and favourable currency exchange rates. Sales of household, personal care and beauty products have been particularly strong in emerging markets in Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia. In contrast, sales in established markets in North America, Western Europe and Japan have been flat. In fiscal 4Q 2005 Procter & Gamble posted net sales of $14.3 bn, up 10%, and net earnings increased to $1.5 bn, up 9%. Procter & Gamble reports that sales in the detergents business have been weak. Unilever posted sales growth of 3% by volume and revenues of $12.8 bn, up 1% in 2Q 2005. Henkel posted sales of €3 bn, up 10% and operating profit of €296 M, up 14% in 2Q 2005. Henkel posted increased sales in all business sectors including laundry and home care, cosmetics and toiletries and consumer adhesives, with most in emerging markets. Church & Dwight posted 2Q 2005 sales of $456 M, up 6%. Colgate-Palmolive posted sales 5