ABSTRACT
Aluminum-containing and aluminum/zirconium-containing antiperspirant salts have enjoyed a long history of use by the general public in the reduction and control of axillary perspiration and odor. There is much literature devoted to their chemical description and safety evaluation. Several reviews have been published and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed this class of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs beginning in 1972, which continues to the present time. The subject of this chapter is an overview of this endeavor and several recent workshops, symposia, and reviews which continue to examine the voluminous data and literature attesting to their safety in use. A draft copy of a Toxicological Profile for Aluminum was released in October 1995 by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; Division of Toxicology/Toxicology Information Branch, Atlanta, GA. An updated draft for public comment was recently released, and the comment period ends Feb. 17, 1998.
