Antibacterial soap causes disease and resistance germs.
Triclosan is a cancer causing, hormone disrupting agent found in many conventional products that people use everyday. These products use your body as a dumping ground for the chemicals companies that want to get rid of their load in your terrain. Here is a list of common products that contain Triclosan
Products Containing Triclosan
The following products all contain triclosan. Caveat emptor!
Soaps:
* Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser
* Clearasil® Daily Face Wash
* CVS Antibacterial Soap
* DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap
* Dermatologica® Skin Purifying Wipes
* Dial® Liquid Soap
* Jergens Antibacterial® Antibacterial Cream Soap
* Naturade Aloe Vera 80® Antibacterial Soap
* Provon® Soap
* pHisoderm Antibacterial Skin Cleanser
* Softsoap® Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
* Tea Tree Therapy™ Liquid Soap
Dental Care:
* Colgate Total®; Breeze™ Triclosan Mouthwash
* Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush
* Janina Diamond Whitening Toothpaste
Cosmetics:
* Supre® Café Bronzer™
* TotalSkinCare Makeup Kit
* Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation
* Mavala Lip Base
* Jason Natural Cosmetics
* Blemish Cover Stick
* Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ
* Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb
* Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss
* Dazzle
Deodorant:
* Arm & Hammer Essentials Natural Deodorant
* Old Spice High Endurance Stick Deodorant
* Right Guard Sport Deodorant
* Queen Helene® Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant
* Nature De France Le Stick Natural Stick Deodorant
* DeCleor Deodorant Stick
* Epoch® Deodorant with Citrisomes
* X Air Maximum Strength Deodorant
Other Personal Care Products:
* Gillette® Complete Skin Care MultiGel Aerosol Shave Gel
* Murad Acne Complex® Kit®
* Diabet-x™ Cream
* T.Taio™ sponges and wipes
* Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel
First Aid:
* SyDERMA® Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic
* Solarcaine®
* First Aid Medicated Spray;
Nexcare™ First Aid
* Skin Crack Care
* First Aid/Burn Cream
* HealWell® Night Splint
* 11-1X1: Universal Cervical Collar with Microban
Kitchenware:
* Farberware® Microban Steakknife Set and Cutting Boards
* Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban
* Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer
* Chix® Food Service Wipes with Microban
* Compact Web Foot® Wet Mop Heads
Computer Equipment:
* Fellowes Cordless Microban Keyboard and Microban Mouse Pad
Clothes:
* Teva® Sandals
* Merrell Shoes
* Sabatier Chef's Apron
* Dickies Socks
* Fruit of the Loom Socks
* Biofresh® Socks
Childrens Toys:
* Playskool® :
o Stack 'n Scoop Whale
o Rockin' Radio
o Hourglass
o Sounds Around Driver
o Roll 'n' Rattle Ball
o Animal Sounds Phone
o Busy Beads Pal
o Pop 'n' Spin Top
o Lights 'n' Surprise Laptop
Other:
* Bionare® Cool Mist Humidifier
* Microban® All Weather Reinforced Hose
* Thomasville® Furniture
* Deciguard AB Ear Plugs
* Bauer® 5000 Helmet
* Aquatic Whirlpools
* Miller Paint Interior Paint
* QVC® Collapsible 40-Can Cooler
* Holmes Foot Buddy™ Foot Warmer
* Blue Mountain Wall Coverings
* California Paints®
* EHC AMRail Escalator Handrails
* Dupont™ Air Filters
* Durelle™ Carpet Cushions
* Advanta One Laminate Floors
* San Luis Blankets
* J Cloth® towels
* JERMEX mops
— Beyond Pesticides
Common Antibacterial Soaps Threaten Children's Health and Offer No Added Protection From Bacteria
by Aviva Glaser, Beyond Pesticides
In a world full of germs and viruses, antibacterial products may seem like an easy way to stay healthy, but a close look at them reveals that they present a serious threat to public health and the environment. Over the last two decades, antibacterial products have swarmed the marketplace, showing up in hundreds of different products, in everything from soaps and toothpastes to clothes, kitchenware, and toys. In fact, a study done in 2000 found that over 75% of liquid soaps and nearly 30% of bar soaps—45% of all the soaps on the market—contain some type of antibacterial agent. The most common active ingredient was triclosan, a chemical that is used so commonly it actually makes its way into our bodies. A 2002 Swedish study found high levels of triclosan in 3 out of 5 human breast milk samples.
Under the appropriate settings and conditions—such as in hospitals, to prevent hospital-acquired infections—triclosan has been proven effective. But no current data demonstrate any extra health benefits from the use of antibacterial soap and cleanser in a healthy household. A study of over 200 healthy households found that households using antibacterial products did not have any reduced risk for runny noses, coughs, and other symptoms of infectious diseases. According to the American Medical Association, "Despite their recent proliferation in consumer products, the use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan in consumer products has not been studied extensively. No data exist to support their efficacy when used in such products or any need for them ... It may be prudent to avoid the use of antimicrobial agents in consumer products ...."
Cancer and Triclosan
There have been reports of acute health effects such as skin irritation resulting from triclosan exposure. But the more worrisome health effects of triclosan are more subtle. Researchers have raised concerns about triclosan and its link to dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic chemicals that can cause severe health problems such as:
* weakening of the immune system,
* decreased fertility,
* altered sex hormones,
* birth defects, and
* cancer.
Girl Scouts Say No To Triclosan
A group of curious Girl Scouts in St. Paul, Minnesota found that when they tried to use triclosan to kill bacteria they were growing for a science fair project, the bacteria actually started growing. After a two-year investigation, the girls found that while anti-bacterial soap kills 99.6% of germs, regular soap kills 99.4% of germs. The Girl Scouts concluded that household anti-bacterial products are unnecessary, and that by not quite killing all the bacteria, they could actually create super-germs that will pose a threat to public health. Based on their findings, these young girls have met with local lawmakers who have submitted a bill on the girls' behalf that would ban the use of triclosan.
Even relatively small quantities of dioxins can have devastating effects. According to EPA, triclosan "could be" and is "suspected to be" contaminated with dioxins. Dioxins can be found in triclosan as impurities formed during the manufacturing process. Researchers who added triclosan to river water and exposed it to ultraviolet light found that a significant portion of the triclosan was converted to dioxins, raising fears that sunlight could transform triclosan to dioxins naturally.
Another serious health threat stems from interactions between triclosan and tap water. A new study by researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute finds that triclosan reacts with chlorine molecules in tap water to form chlorinated dioxins, which are highly toxic forms of dioxin. Because the study was conducted using triclosan-containing dishwashing soap, researchers believe that these chlorinated dioxins are forming in kitchen sinks across the country. The same study also found that the combination of tap water and triclosan produces significant quantities of chloroform, which is a probable human carcinogen. Production of chloroform and dioxins may also be a problem in pools, where there are high levels of chlorine that can react to triclosan residues on people's skin.
Triclosan and Allergies
Overuse of triclosan (and other antibacterials) is also linked to allergies. This is based on the "hygiene hypothesis," which theorizes that there is a correlation between "too much hygiene" and increased allergies and asthma. The concept is that children who are raised in an overly clean environment have immune systems that are not challenged and thus do not develop and mature properly. This hypothesis is based on studies that have found an increase in the frequency of allergies, asthma, and eczema in persons who have been raised in more sterile and hygienic environments.
Triclosan and Antibiotic Resistance
Many recent studies have raised serious concerns that triclosan may promote the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. One concern is that bacteria will become resistant to antibacterial products like triclosan, rendering those antimicrobial products useless to those who truly need them, such as people with compromised immune systems.
Scientists also worry that because triclosan kills bacteria in a similar way as antibiotics, bacteria that become resistant to triclosan will also be resistant to antibiotics. Triclosan does not actually cause a genetic mutation in the bacteria—which is part of the process by which they acquire resistance—but by killing the normal bacteria, it creates an environment where mutated bacteria that are resistant to triclosan are more likely to survive and reproduce. Laboratory studies with triclosan have already found a number of different strains of mutated bacteria that are resistant to triclosan and to certain antibiotics.
Antibiotic resistance has become an increasingly serious problem worldwide, and overuse of triclosan may exacerbate this problem.
Environmental Effects—Triclosan in Wastewater
Over 95% of triclosan uses are in consumer products that are eventually disposed of down sink drains. Wastewater treatment plants cannot remove triclosan from water, so large quantities of triclosan are continuously discharged into local waterways. Numerous studies have detected triclosan in streams and rivers. In a US Geological Survey study of 95 organic wastewater contaminants in US streams, triclosan was one of the most frequently detected compounds, and at some of the highest concentrations observed.
Triclosan is highly toxic to algae. Because algae are the first-step producers in aquatic ecosystems, researchers believe that high levels of triclosan discharged into the environment may destroy the balance of aquatic ecosystems. The risks are especially high immediately downstream from wastewater treatment plants.
Products Containing Triclosan
The following products all contain triclosan. Caveat emptor!
Soaps:
* Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser
* Clearasil® Daily Face Wash
* CVS Antibacterial Soap
* DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap
* Dermatologica® Skin Purifying Wipes
* Dial® Liquid Soap
* Jergens Antibacterial® Antibacterial Cream Soap
* Naturade Aloe Vera 80® Antibacterial Soap
* Provon® Soap
* pHisoderm Antibacterial Skin Cleanser
* Softsoap® Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
* Tea Tree Therapy™ Liquid Soap
Dental Care:
* Colgate Total®; Breeze™ Triclosan Mouthwash
* Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush
* Janina Diamond Whitening Toothpaste
Cosmetics:
* Supre® Café Bronzer™
* TotalSkinCare Makeup Kit
* Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation
* Mavala Lip Base
* Jason Natural Cosmetics
* Blemish Cover Stick
* Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ
* Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb
* Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss
* Dazzle
Deodorant:
* Arm & Hammer Essentials Natural Deodorant
* Old Spice High Endurance Stick Deodorant
* Right Guard Sport Deodorant
* Queen Helene® Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant
* Nature De France Le Stick Natural Stick Deodorant
* DeCleor Deodorant Stick
* Epoch® Deodorant with Citrisomes
* X Air Maximum Strength Deodorant
Other Personal Care Products:
* Gillette® Complete Skin Care MultiGel Aerosol Shave Gel
* Murad Acne Complex® Kit®
* Diabet-x™ Cream
* T.Taio™ sponges and wipes
* Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel
First Aid:
* SyDERMA® Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic
* Solarcaine®
* First Aid Medicated Spray;
Nexcare™ First Aid
* Skin Crack Care
* First Aid/Burn Cream
* HealWell® Night Splint
* 11-1X1: Universal Cervical Collar with Microban
Kitchenware:
* Farberware® Microban Steakknife Set and Cutting Boards
* Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban
* Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer
* Chix® Food Service Wipes with Microban
* Compact Web Foot® Wet Mop Heads
Computer Equipment:
* Fellowes Cordless Microban Keyboard and Microban Mouse Pad
Clothes:
* Teva® Sandals
* Merrell Shoes
* Sabatier Chef's Apron
* Dickies Socks
* Fruit of the Loom Socks
* Biofresh® Socks
Childrens Toys:
* Playskool® :
o Stack 'n Scoop Whale
o Rockin' Radio
o Hourglass
o Sounds Around Driver
o Roll 'n' Rattle Ball
o Animal Sounds Phone
o Busy Beads Pal
o Pop 'n' Spin Top
o Lights 'n' Surprise Laptop
Other:
* Bionare® Cool Mist Humidifier
* Microban® All Weather Reinforced Hose
* Thomasville® Furniture
* Deciguard AB Ear Plugs
* Bauer® 5000 Helmet
* Aquatic Whirlpools
* Miller Paint Interior Paint
* QVC® Collapsible 40-Can Cooler
* Holmes Foot Buddy™ Foot Warmer
* Blue Mountain Wall Coverings
* California Paints®
* EHC AMRail Escalator Handrails
* Dupont™ Air Filters
* Durelle™ Carpet Cushions
* Advanta One Laminate Floors
* San Luis Blankets
* J Cloth® towels
* JERMEX mops
— Beyond Pesticides
Common Antibacterial Soaps Threaten Children's Health and Offer No Added Protection From Bacteria
by Aviva Glaser, Beyond Pesticides
In a world full of germs and viruses, antibacterial products may seem like an easy way to stay healthy, but a close look at them reveals that they present a serious threat to public health and the environment. Over the last two decades, antibacterial products have swarmed the marketplace, showing up in hundreds of different products, in everything from soaps and toothpastes to clothes, kitchenware, and toys. In fact, a study done in 2000 found that over 75% of liquid soaps and nearly 30% of bar soaps—45% of all the soaps on the market—contain some type of antibacterial agent. The most common active ingredient was triclosan, a chemical that is used so commonly it actually makes its way into our bodies. A 2002 Swedish study found high levels of triclosan in 3 out of 5 human breast milk samples.
Under the appropriate settings and conditions—such as in hospitals, to prevent hospital-acquired infections—triclosan has been proven effective. But no current data demonstrate any extra health benefits from the use of antibacterial soap and cleanser in a healthy household. A study of over 200 healthy households found that households using antibacterial products did not have any reduced risk for runny noses, coughs, and other symptoms of infectious diseases. According to the American Medical Association, "Despite their recent proliferation in consumer products, the use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan in consumer products has not been studied extensively. No data exist to support their efficacy when used in such products or any need for them ... It may be prudent to avoid the use of antimicrobial agents in consumer products ...."
Cancer and Triclosan
There have been reports of acute health effects such as skin irritation resulting from triclosan exposure. But the more worrisome health effects of triclosan are more subtle. Researchers have raised concerns about triclosan and its link to dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic chemicals that can cause severe health problems such as:
* weakening of the immune system,
* decreased fertility,
* altered sex hormones,
* birth defects, and
* cancer.
Girl Scouts Say No To Triclosan
A group of curious Girl Scouts in St. Paul, Minnesota found that when they tried to use triclosan to kill bacteria they were growing for a science fair project, the bacteria actually started growing. After a two-year investigation, the girls found that while anti-bacterial soap kills 99.6% of germs, regular soap kills 99.4% of germs. The Girl Scouts concluded that household anti-bacterial products are unnecessary, and that by not quite killing all the bacteria, they could actually create super-germs that will pose a threat to public health. Based on their findings, these young girls have met with local lawmakers who have submitted a bill on the girls' behalf that would ban the use of triclosan.
Even relatively small quantities of dioxins can have devastating effects. According to EPA, triclosan "could be" and is "suspected to be" contaminated with dioxins. Dioxins can be found in triclosan as impurities formed during the manufacturing process. Researchers who added triclosan to river water and exposed it to ultraviolet light found that a significant portion of the triclosan was converted to dioxins, raising fears that sunlight could transform triclosan to dioxins naturally.
Another serious health threat stems from interactions between triclosan and tap water. A new study by researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute finds that triclosan reacts with chlorine molecules in tap water to form chlorinated dioxins, which are highly toxic forms of dioxin. Because the study was conducted using triclosan-containing dishwashing soap, researchers believe that these chlorinated dioxins are forming in kitchen sinks across the country. The same study also found that the combination of tap water and triclosan produces significant quantities of chloroform, which is a probable human carcinogen. Production of chloroform and dioxins may also be a problem in pools, where there are high levels of chlorine that can react to triclosan residues on people's skin.
Triclosan and Allergies
Overuse of triclosan (and other antibacterials) is also linked to allergies. This is based on the "hygiene hypothesis," which theorizes that there is a correlation between "too much hygiene" and increased allergies and asthma. The concept is that children who are raised in an overly clean environment have immune systems that are not challenged and thus do not develop and mature properly. This hypothesis is based on studies that have found an increase in the frequency of allergies, asthma, and eczema in persons who have been raised in more sterile and hygienic environments.
Triclosan and Antibiotic Resistance
Many recent studies have raised serious concerns that triclosan may promote the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. One concern is that bacteria will become resistant to antibacterial products like triclosan, rendering those antimicrobial products useless to those who truly need them, such as people with compromised immune systems.
Scientists also worry that because triclosan kills bacteria in a similar way as antibiotics, bacteria that become resistant to triclosan will also be resistant to antibiotics. Triclosan does not actually cause a genetic mutation in the bacteria—which is part of the process by which they acquire resistance—but by killing the normal bacteria, it creates an environment where mutated bacteria that are resistant to triclosan are more likely to survive and reproduce. Laboratory studies with triclosan have already found a number of different strains of mutated bacteria that are resistant to triclosan and to certain antibiotics.
Antibiotic resistance has become an increasingly serious problem worldwide, and overuse of triclosan may exacerbate this problem.
Environmental Effects—Triclosan in Wastewater
Over 95% of triclosan uses are in consumer products that are eventually disposed of down sink drains. Wastewater treatment plants cannot remove triclosan from water, so large quantities of triclosan are continuously discharged into local waterways. Numerous studies have detected triclosan in streams and rivers. In a US Geological Survey study of 95 organic wastewater contaminants in US streams, triclosan was one of the most frequently detected compounds, and at some of the highest concentrations observed.
Triclosan is highly toxic to algae. Because algae are the first-step producers in aquatic ecosystems, researchers believe that high levels of triclosan discharged into the environment may destroy the balance of aquatic ecosystems. The risks are especially high immediately downstream from wastewater treatment plants.
