FDA says studies on triclosan, used in sanitizers and soaps, raise concerns

The Food and Drug Administration said recent research raises "valid concerns" about the possible health effects of triclosan, an antibacterial chemical found in a growing number of liquid soaps, hand sanitizers, dishwashing liquids, shaving gels and even socks, workout clothes and toys.The FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency say they are taking a fresh look at triclosan, which is so ubiquitous that is found in the urine of 75 percent of the population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The reassessment is the latest signal that the Obama administration is willing to reevaluate the possible health impacts of chemicals that have been in widespread use.In a letter to a congressman that was obtained by The Washington Post, the FDA said that recent scientific studies raise questions about whether triclosan disrupts the body's endocrine system and whether it helps to create bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. An advisory panel to the FDA said in 2005 that there was no evidence the antibacterial soaps work better than regular soap and water.The FDA was responding to inquiries from Rep. Edward J. Markey D-Mass., who has been pushing federal regulators to take stronger action to restrict the use of triclosan and other chemicals that have been shown in laboratory tests to interfere with the delicate endocrine system, which regulates growth and development."The proliferation of triclosan in everyday consumer products is so enormous, it is literally in almost every type of product -- most soaps, toothpaste, cosmetics, clothes and toys," Markey said. "It's in our drinking water, it's in our rivers and as a result, it's in our bodies. . . . I don't think a lot of additional data has to be collected in order to make the simple decisions about children's toys and soaps that people use. It clearly is something that creates a danger."

Markey wants triclosan banned from all products designed for children and any product that comes into contact with food, such as cutting boards. Other countries, including the members of European Union, have banned or restricted use of the chemical.

Brian Sansoni of the Soap and Detergent Association, which represents the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products industry, said concerns about triclosan are unfounded.

"These products and ingredients have been reviewed, regulated and researched for decades," he said. "We believe the science strongly supports the safety and efficacy of these products. It's more important than ever that consumers continue to have access to these products. It's a time of increased threats from disease and germs."

Triclosan was developed as a surgical scrub for medical professionals. It is also used in pesticides. In recent years, it has been added to a host of consumer products to kill bacteria and fungus and prevent odors. It can be found in everything from kitchen cutting boards to shoes, often packaged with labels that tout "antibacterial" properties. ...

via FDA says studies on triclosan, used in sanitizers and soaps, raise concerns.

Surprised? I hope not. Long time readers: in 2004, I did tell you to avoid triclosan, so where was the FDA for the past  six years ($96 billion dollars)?

Why is this coming out now?   If a known danger makes a lot of money for a corporation, the danger will be denied, year after year. Drug companies police themselves and that is not working.  Since they pay for the studies, they selectively publish only the result that are favorable or inconclusive.  It takes a number of really big lawsuits to get a money maker banned, and usually a number of people have to die first.

All soap is antibacterial. Soap breaks bacteria open, killing them. Just use ordinary soap.

Soap is itself an effective microbicide due to the fact that soap breaks down oils. All bacterial cell walls are based on lipid chains, which are oil-based. The simple act of applying soap to the hands and rubbing vigorously will cause the cell walls of any bacteria on the hands to be ripped apart by the soap, disintegrating and killing any bacteria present. A comprehensive analysis from the U-M School of Public Health indicated that plain soaps are just as effective as consumer-grade anti-bacterial soaps with 'triclosan' in preventing illness and reducing bacteria on the hands. - answers

Here is some information on a triclosan lawsuit:

Triclosan, a chemical used as an antibacterial in soaps, hand sanitizers and other household products, has been associated with serious, long-term effects on human health and the environment. Triclosan has been shown in animal studies to disrupt the endocrine system, and other research has indicated that the chemical might help to create bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics

Our triclosan injury lawyers are aggressively investigating the potential health problems associated with this chemical. Triclosan is found in scores of household products, and it has become almost impossible for consumers to avoid exposure to it. In addition to antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers, triclosan is also found in toothpastes and mouthwashes, deodorants, cosmetics including hair products and lipsticks, household cleaners, plastics, and children's toys - just to name a few. If you believe exposure to triclosan caused illness in yourself or a loved one, our triclosan injury lawyers want to hear from you today

Triclosan has already been banned or restricted in other countries, including the European Union. In the U.S., however, regulatory agencies have failed to act on this serious public health threat. In 2005, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that antimicrobial soaps and sanitizers do not reduce the risk of illness and infection in the home, yet products made with triclosan remain on the market. Our triclosan injury lawyers are committed to making sure the manufacturers of triclosan-containing products are held accountable for any illnesses or injuries they have caused...

Triclosan was developed as a surgical scrub for medical professionals. But in recent years, it has been added to everything from soaps to clothing because of its antibacterial properties. Triclosan is so ubiquitous that it is found in the urine of 75 percent of the population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The chemical has also been found in about 60 percent of U.S. streams.

Triclosan is a chlorophenol, a class of chemicals which is suspected of causing cancer in humans. While the companies that manufacture products containing triclosan claim that it is safe, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered it as a pesticide....