Triclosan – A New Villain Lurking In The Home?

I know I did, and perhaps you will too: read the label of ingredients on your anti bacterial soap to see if it contains triclosan. Triclosan is a common ingredient in some soaps, hand sanitizers and toothpastes and even children’s toys and other products such as socks.

Triclosan, which is added to products to reduce bacterial contamination, is now thought to have hormone altering properties. According to the FDA’s website, this chemical has been linked to hormonal changes in lab animals. Also the FDA has opined that there is no evidence to support the claim that products that contain triclosan work any better than plain soap and water.

The claim of David Kriebel, an epidemiologist and chair of the department of work environment at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell therefore seems sensible when he says that if there are no particular benefits to be derived from triclosan we should perhaps examine the need to use it at all.

It is also surprising that this chemical, so widely and commonly used has not been rigorously tested so far for safety as well as effectiveness.

The Soap and Detergent Association however assures us that we can continue using products including triclosan “with confidence” as there is a “wealth of scientific data showing a distinct germ-killing benefit for antibacterial soaps.”

On the other hand, I am going to watch out for triclosan for a while.

Source: Boston