is associated with toxicity of the liver, hormone disruption, and problems when its inhaled. You used to find triclosan in antibacterial soaps, dishwashing liquid, body washes, shampoo, deodorants, toothpaste, mattresses, plastic containers, face cleanser and acne treatments, trash bags, bedding, toys, kitchen utensils, and your shoes. Because you can still find triclosan around your house, you're sure to find it in your water.
In September of last year, the FDA gave companies one year to get triclosan out of their soaps. Wait... just soaps? What about all of the other common household items that contain triclosan? It's still allowed to be there.
Why did triclosan get taken out of only antibacterial soaps? Four years ago, several studies showed that there was probably no benefit in using antibacterial soaps over regular soap and water. That was enough for the FDA to ban it from antibacterial soaps, but not the rest of the products.
We've made a huge industry out of being germ-phobic, and it may have bit us in the butt. Aside from the liver and inhalation toxicity and hormone disruption, antibacterial products may cause microbial resistance (similar to the effects of too many antibiotics), skin irritation, allergies, thyroid issues, and tumors. Along with triclosan, the FDA placed a ban on 18 other antibacterial active ingredients. We didn't need antibacterial agents in our daily life after all!
- Don't bother with antibacterial soaps at home. You don't need them!
- Watch for triclosan and triclocarban on ingredient lists for things like toothpaste, deodorants, etc.
- There are tons of other antibacterial products like plastic food containers, odor fighting trash bags, cutting boards, or insoles to keep your feet fresh-smelling. Don't get them! You are supposed to have bacteria around and inside you. Stop killing it all!
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