Triclosan .... The Jury is out!

The dangers of Triclosan have been brought to light quite a bit over the last couple of years. The antibacterial agent found in many skin care products is also found in some toothpastes and household products and is proving to wreak havoc on our water systems, sea life and making it’s way into our drinking water. However, as humans do, we so often forget about what happens to things long after we wash them off our bodies down the drain, out of sigh out of mind.

All of that ickyness aside, it’s the affect on humans that is the focus here. Triclosan is not currently known to be hazardous to humans, as says the FDA’s last review (the same federal department that gave its stamp of approval to Johnson and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo just yanked off shelves for reformulation). However, there has been so much information contradicting what they initially reported that they have engaged in a whole new set of studies, and will be announcing the results in 2012. What has caught their attention is the change in hormones that Triclosan causes in animals. Now it’s true that what happens in animals doesn’t always occur in humans but the concern is that the half life (fancy word for what happens after we think it’s gone, washed off our body, dishes or clothes, and can no longer be seen) of Triclosan is much longer than initially thought, and that human fat cells seem to be a place where they flourish in this state. The FDA is also looking into it’s aide in developing anti-biotic resistant germs and it’s affect on the human immune system.

A chemical like Triclosan can disrupt hormone regulation causing  thyroid and estrogen-related health effects and may affect fetal growth. Because of its link to fatty tissues, there are many people who believe it can be an issue in breast feeding.

Now every single time something comes up about a product in use today, should it require an all hand on board flip out? No. And to that extent the FDA does seem to do the best it can with the resources available, but being preggo means paying a little more attention to those things you might not have before.

What is really important in this information is that at the bottom of everything, Triclosan – whose recent use has been antibacterial soaps, gels and face washes, is actually shown to remove no more germs or bacteria than soap and water. We shouldn’t be afraid to do simpler, easier things because we are bombarded with products that they say do something better. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about chemicals you don’t know about and to learn exactly what you are putting on your body, because that ends up in your body. 

The jury on Triclosan is out but it might benefit you and your buns to take an inventory of the products you currently use with Triclosan in the ingredient list, if it's something you can live with out or replace with a non Triclosan containing product ....give it a try. This is a good website for a basic list of products known to contain Triclosan; http://drbenkim.com/articles/triclosan-products.htm

Love in Green 

the ecofashionista