Triclosan
Triclosan, an antibacterial agent has been strongly linked to the following effects on human health:
- Abnormalities with the endocrine system, particularly with thyroid hormone signaling
- Weakening of the immune system
- Birth defects
- Uncontrolled cell growth
- Unhealthy weight loss
Although Triclosan is best known for its presence in many brands of antibacterial soap, it is also found in a wide variety of personal care and household products.
According to BeyondPesticides.org :
"The chemical, Triclosan, is a synthetic, broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that in recent years has exploded onto the consumer market in a wide variety of antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, fabrics, plastics and other products. Studies have increasingly linked triclosan to a range of health and environmental effects, from skin irritation, allergy susceptibility, bacterial and compounded antibiotic resistant and dioxin contamination to destruction of fragile aquatic ecosystems."
Below is a list of different brands that include Triclosan in specific products:
Soaps:
- Dial® Liquid Soap
- Softsoap® Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
- Tea Tree Therapy™ Liquid Soap
- Provon® Soap
- Clearasil® Daily Face Wash
- Dermatologica® Skin Purifying Wipes
- Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser
- DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap
- Naturade Aloe Vera 80® Antibacterial Soap
- CVS Antibacterial Soap
- pHisoderm Antibacterial Skin Cleanser
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:
- 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 Steak knife 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
Children’s Toys:
Playskool®:
- Stack ‘n Scoop Whale
- Rockin’ Radio
- Hourglass
- Sounds Around Driver
- Roll ‘n’ Rattle Ball
- Animal Sounds Phone
- Busy Beads Pal
- Pop ‘n’ Spin Top
- 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
Alternatives to Triclosan
According to BeyondPesticides,org, when products containing Triclosan are used in hospitals or for people with weak immune systems, it is an important sanitary tool. Outside of these settings, it is unnecessary and the constant exposure to Triclosan becomes a health and environmental problem.
Their recommendations? Good old soap and water. Here are some more tips:
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly – lather hands for at least 10 to 15 seconds then rinse in warm water. For those of us with little kids, teach them to sing the Happy Birthday song or another little song to sing (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, maybe?) while they are lathering to be sure it’s at least a 10 second lather.
- Dry hands with a clean towel to help brush off any germs that did not get washed down the drain.
- Wash surfaces that come in contact with food with a detergent and water.
- Wash children’s toys regularly to prevent infection.
- Read all ingredients when buying personal care products. There are also some essential oils that have antimicrobial properties, some examples are Australian tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract and pine oil to name a few.
I like to carry a hand sanitizer with me since I have a young son who touches everything. I’ve been using a natural hand sanitizer found at most health food stores and now even Target, I believe. It is called "Clean and Well" and the anti-microbial ingredient used is Thyme Oil. It’s also gentle on your hands and does the job of killing off the germs, too. If you look, you will find natural, safe alternatives to just about everything now.
June 18 2008 01:44 pm | Health and activism and green living and news
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:37 am
[...] Triclosan Teva� Sandals; Merrell Shoes; Sabatier Chef�s Apron; Dickies Socks; Fruit of the Loom Socks; Biofresh� Socks. Children�s Toys: Playskool�:. Stack �n Scoop Whale; Rockin� Radio; Hourglass; Sounds Around Driver; Roll �n� Rattle Ball …Nature Deva – http://naturedeva.net [...]
June 24th, 2008 at 8:18 am
[...] Nature Deva has helpful information on triclosan. [...]