http://www.greenlivingonline.com/HealthNutrition/tricky-triclosan/
(Feb 6, 2008)
In our daily war against germs, triclosan has become the weapon of choice. But has our obsession with cleanliness got us using dangerous antibacterial products that promise protection but deliver the opposite? 
Unavoidable
Triclosan is now being added to soaps, toothpaste, detergents, kitchen utensils, carpets and children’s toys so they can be endowed with "antibacterial properties."
However, the popularity and proliferation of these products is more the result of successful marketing over solid science. Serious questions are being raised regarding triclosan’s long-term impact on our environment and on our health.
Myth #1: Triclosan is an effective germ-killer and will protect your family’s health
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society, the American Medical Association along with the U.S. Center for Disease Control have all concluded that there is absolutely no germ-killing advantage, nor any additional health benefits from the triclosan found in antibacterial products used for regular personal hygiene or household purposes. They concluded that the most effective method for killing bacteria and preventing the spread of infectious disease remains good old-fashioned soap and water combined with proper hand-washing. Check your hand washing technique at Mother Nature's best antibacterial: your hands!
Myth #2: A sanitized home is a healthy home
A study of over 200 households revealed that households using antibacterial products didn’t lower their rate of infectious disease but remained the same as the households using regular products.
Other studies have suggested that overuse of triclosan can be linked to increased rates of allergies and asthma among children. The theory is that children raised in an overly sterilized environment don’t get the chance to develop immunity through exposure.
Myth #3: Triclosan poses no risk to human and environmental health
The companies producing triclosan or use it in their products claim this chemical has been used safely and effectively for more than 40 years and that the results of studies have "consistently demonstrated that no health concerns are associated with the recommended uses of triclosan."
However, according to the American Medical Association, despite the proliferation of these products, "the widespread use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan in consumer products has not been studied extensively…It may be prudent to avoid the use of anti-microbial agents in consumer products."
Tricky triclosan
Image: istockphoto.com/Thomas Perkins
Unavoidable
Triclosan is now being added to soaps, toothpaste, detergents, kitchen utensils, carpets and children’s toys so they can be endowed with "antibacterial properties."
However, the popularity and proliferation of these products is more the result of successful marketing over solid science. Serious questions are being raised regarding triclosan’s long-term impact on our environment and on our health.
Myth #1: Triclosan is an effective germ-killer and will protect your family’s health
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society, the American Medical Association along with the U.S. Center for Disease Control have all concluded that there is absolutely no germ-killing advantage, nor any additional health benefits from the triclosan found in antibacterial products used for regular personal hygiene or household purposes. They concluded that the most effective method for killing bacteria and preventing the spread of infectious disease remains good old-fashioned soap and water combined with proper hand-washing. Check your hand washing technique at Mother Nature's best antibacterial: your hands!
Myth #2: A sanitized home is a healthy home
A study of over 200 households revealed that households using antibacterial products didn’t lower their rate of infectious disease but remained the same as the households using regular products.
Other studies have suggested that overuse of triclosan can be linked to increased rates of allergies and asthma among children. The theory is that children raised in an overly sterilized environment don’t get the chance to develop immunity through exposure.
Myth #3: Triclosan poses no risk to human and environmental health
The companies producing triclosan or use it in their products claim this chemical has been used safely and effectively for more than 40 years and that the results of studies have "consistently demonstrated that no health concerns are associated with the recommended uses of triclosan."
However, according to the American Medical Association, despite the proliferation of these products, "the widespread use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan in consumer products has not been studied extensively…It may be prudent to avoid the use of anti-microbial agents in consumer products."
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4 Comments
posted Feb 12, 2008 - 5:12 pm by Sameer
Great article — very clear and well written, highlighting another invisible chemical that has slipped under the rug. Thanks for this!
posted Feb 12, 2008 - 5:57 pm by Ella
Nice work - the chemical world is such slippery slope. Thanks for the insight.
posted Feb 13, 2008 - 4:31 pm by Lisa
We need more articles like this in the forefront for consumer's knowledgebase. Consumers depend on a higher body to ensure that the products they are using is safe for their family. It is very misleading to know that we use hand sanitizers to protect us from these germs and they are really not effective.
posted Feb 21, 2008 - 11:20 am by Wendy
As an up-and-coming environmental scientist...I thoroughly appreciate all these type articles as well! I have learned something here that I will be passing on to my cohort and all my contacts to help "spread the word" about all kinds of these "additives" that end up to be redundant yet harmful...environmentally and/or physiologically.To combat this problem...we need policy changes in manufacturing. Hold the manufacturers responsible for the ingredients in their products as well as the demise of their products...start to finish!
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