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Last Updated: Apr 20, 2011 - 9:38:09 AM |
Editor's note: Studies have shown soap and water work just as well as the antibacterial products. There is no need to use the antibacterial agent triclosan, which is transformed into some toxic chemical during washing.
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The
antibacterial chemical triclosan is used in everything from mouse pads
to soap, toys to toothpaste, despite evidence that it mimics the action
of hormones in the body. Triclosan is associated with thyroid disorders
(a risk factor for breast cancer) and is suspected of becoming
contaminated with dioxin, a known human carcinogen. And
hormone-disrupting compounds similar to triclosan are implicated in
breast cancer risk. Yet the U.S. EPA recently re-approved triclosan –
but only for another five years. The agency's concerns about triclosan
convinced them to move the next review date to 2013, 10 years ahead of
schedule. But if a chemical looks dangerous now, why must we wait for
another five years' worth of evidence of harm to pile up before we stop
using it?
Ask the new EPA head to reconsider triclosan's safety »
Spread the word about triclosan »
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