*** Toothpaste Reduces Prison Overcrowding

The New York Times
June 28, 2007

"Diethylene glycol is often used in Chinese toothpaste in place of its more
expensive chemical cousin glycerin. Chinese regulators have said that
toothpaste with small amounts of diethylene glycol is not harmful and that
international concern is unjustified.

After the drug agency expressed concern about tainted toothpaste, the
Georgia Department of Administrative Services checked to see whether
Chinese toothpaste was being used by the state. The department found it in
83 prisons, 4 mental health centers and 4 juvenile detention centers, said
Rick Beal, contracts manager for the department.

Mr. Beal said officials confiscated 5,877 remaining cases, each with 144
tubes, of the Springfresh brand. Tests showed the toothpaste had a
diethylene glycol concentration of about 5 percent, he said.

The state bought the toothpaste for about 9 cents a tube in 2002. Mr. Beal
said he did not know how many tubes had been used."
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