This post is compiled by me with references to information available online. There is no professional input on this and hence this article may be be inaccurate. However, it is always good to know about the ingredients used in this product used by almost all Singaporean males.
The core ingredients of SAF Foot & Body Powder are Talcum Powder, Boric Acid and Camphor. Lets look at them in detail.
Talcum Powder
Extract from Wikipedia
A coarse grayish-green high-talc rock is soapstone or steatite and has been used for stoves, sinks, electrical switchboards, etc. Talc finds use as a cosmetic (talcum powder), as a lubricant, and as a filler in paper manufacture. Talc is used in baby powder, an astringent powder used for preventing rashes on the area covered by a diaper (see diaper rash). Most tailor’s chalk is talc, as is the chalk often used for welding or metalworking.
Also from Wikipedia,
Several studies have established preliminary links between talc and pulmonary issues,[4] lung cancer,[5][6] skin cancer and ovarian cancer.[7] This is a major concern considering talc’s widespread commercial and household use. In 1993, a US National Toxicology Program report found that cosmetic grade talc caused tumours in rats (animal testing) forced to inhale talc for 6 hours a day, five days a week over at least 113 weeks, even though it contained no asbestos-like fibres.[5] Scientists have been aware of the toxicity of talc since the late 1960s, and in 1971 researchers found particles of talc embedded in 75 percent of the ovarian tumors studied.[8] However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers non-asbestiform talc, that is, talc which does not contain potentially carcinogenic asbestiform amphibole fibers, to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in cosmetics. [9]
The study in question can be found here.
Objective:
We sought to determine whether the use of talc in genital hygiene increases the risk for epithelial ovarian cancer.Methods:
We interviewed 235 white women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer between 1984-1987 at ten Boston metropolitan area hospitals and 239 population-based controls of similar race, age, and residence.Results:
Overall, 49% of cases and 39% of controls reported exposure to talc, via direct application to the perineum or to undergarments, sanitary napkins, or diaphragms, which yielded a 1.5 odds ratio (OR) for ovarian cancer (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-2.1). Among women with perineal exposure to talc, the risk was significantly elevated in the subgroups of women who applied it: 1) directly as a body powder (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.7), 2) on a daily basis (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.0), and 3) for more than 10 years (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.7). The greatest ovarian cancer risk associated with perineal talc use was observed in the subgroup of women estimated to have made more than 10,000 applications during years when they were ovulating and had an intact genital tract (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.4-5.4); however, this degree of exposure was found in only 14% of the women with ovarian cancer. Conclusions:
These data support the concept that a life-time pattern of perineal talc use may increase the risk for epithelial ovarian cancer but is unlikely to be the etiology for the majority of epithelial ovarian cancers. (24 Refs)
In SAF, it is common practice for soldiers to use SAF Foot & Body Powder for “powder baths” when out in the field without running water to take proper showers. I still remember when I was a recruit, we were all made to put so much powder on ourselves, including our private part, that we have to ensure that when the elastic band around the waist of our undergarment was pulled and then released, there would be smoke. I am not sure about female soldiers, but it they were to do it, talcum would come into contact with their genital tract. It is reassuring to note that, according to the study quoted above, ovarian cancer risk is high only when there is very large and frequent to talcum powder, and while there is a relationship between exposure and ovarian cancer, it is not a main cause of ovarian cancer.
Boric Acid
Extract from Wikipedia
Boric acid, also called boracic acid or orthoboric acid or Acidum Boricum, is a weak acid often used as an antiseptic, insecticide, flame retardant, in nuclear power plants to control the fission rate of uranium, and as a precursor of other chemical compounds. It exists in the form of colorless crystals or a white powder and dissolves in water. It has the chemical formula H3BO3, sometimes written B(OH)3. When occurring as a mineral, it is called sassolite.
Also from Wikipedia,
Based on mammal median lethal dose (LD50) rating of 2,660 mg/kg body mass, boric acid is poisonous if taken internally or inhaled. However, it is generally considered to be not much more toxic than table salt.[4] The Thirteenth Edition of the Merck Index indicates that the LD50 of boric acid is 5.14 g/kg for oral dosages given to rats, and that 5 to 20 g/kg has produced death in adult humans. The LD50 of sodium chloride is reported to be 3.75 g/kg in rats according to the Merck Index.
Long term exposure to boric acid may be of more concern. Although it does not appear to be carcinogenic, studies in dogs have attributed testicular atrophy after exposure to 32 mg/kg bw/day for 90 days. This level is far lower than the LD50.[5]
I did further research into Boric acid, and it was mentioned that,
A study (Tarasenko et al. 1972), summarized by Moore (1997), found a decrease in sexual activity in 28 workers exposed to very high concentrations of boron (10 mg/m3). Examination of the semen from six of the workers demonstrated a reduction in semen volume, a decrease in the number of spermatozoa, and decreased sperm motility.
As discussed in the section on Absorption, boron has been detected in the urine after exposure to boric acid via the dermal, inhalation, and oral routes.
Developmental toxicity appears to be the most sensitive endpoint for boric acid.
From the same source, it was further mentioned that,
Human studies have shown that boron can be lethal following short-term exposure. The minimal lethal dose of ingested boron (as boric acid) was reported to be 2-3 g in infants, 5-6 g in children and 15-20 g in adults (Locatelli et al. 1987; Wong et al. 1964).
This is indeed quite a dangerous chemical. I would never use SAF Foot & Body Powder for powder bath or near my genital areas anymore.
Camphor
Extract from Wikipedia
Camphor is a waxy, white or transparent solid with a strong, aromatic odor.[3] It is a terpenoid with the chemical formula C10H16O. It is found in wood of the camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora), a large evergreen tree found in Asia (particularly in Borneo and Taiwan, hence its alternate name). It also occurs in some other related trees in the laurel family, notably Ocotea usambarensis. It can also be synthetically produced from oil of turpentine. It is used for its scent, as an ingredient in cooking (mainly in India), as an embalming fluid, in religious ceremonies and for medicinal purposes. A major source of camphor in Asia is camphor basil.In larger quantities, it is poisonous when ingested and can cause seizures, confusion, irritability, and neuromuscular hyperactivity. Despite the rather low skin absorption it may still lead to hepatotoxicity in extreme cases.[10] [11] Lethal doses in adults are in the range 50–500 mg/kg (orally). Generally, 2 g causes serious toxicity and 4 g is potentially lethal.
In 1980, the United States Food and Drug Administration set a limit of 11% allowable camphor in consumer products and totally banned products labeled as camphorated oil, camphor oil, camphor liniment, and camphorated liniment (except “white camphor essential oil” contains no significant amount of camphor). Since alternative treatments exist, medicinal use of camphor is discouraged by the FDA, except for skin-related uses, such as medicated powders, which contain only small amounts of camphor.
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It is important to note that while the ingredients used in SAF powder may cause ovarian cancer and shrinking of testicle (testicular atrophy), I am NOT saying that SAF powder WILL DEFINITELY cause ovarian cancer and shrinking of testicle. Boric acid, talcum powder and camphor are still considered safe and are approved for use in many other cosmetic/healthcare products in the market.
I am not against SAF Foot & Body Powder, in fact I use them on a daily basis as it does indeed work very well to prevent & help with fungi infection on my feet that is kept in army boots or shoes for more than 9 hours everyday. I have very sensitive skin that rashes and itches whenever in contact with most foreign chemicals, and SAF Foot & Body Powder is my savior.
I think that some simple precaution can be taken when using the SAF Foot & Body Powder:
1) Avoid inhaling it
2) Avoid contact with your genitals
3) Definitely don’t ingest it.
All 3 ingredients in SAF Foot & Body powder are quite fatal when ingested. It is indeed lucky and a miracle that no suicidal soldier has thought of consuming the powder yet.
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