Anti-bacterial soap a no-no

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Common Antibacterial Soaps Threaten Children's Health and Offer No Added

Protection From Bacteria

by Aviva Glaser, Beyond Pesticides In a world full of germs and viruses,

antibacterial products may seem like an easy way to stay healthy, but a close

look at them reveals that they present a serious threat to public health and the

environment. Over the last two decades, antibacterial products have swarmed the

marketplace, showing up in hundreds of different products, in everything from

soaps and toothpastes to clothes, kitchenware, and toys. In fact, a study done

in 2000 found that over 75% of liquid soaps and nearly 30% of bar soaps—45% of

all the soaps on the market—contain some type of antibacterial agent. The most

common active ingredient was triclosan, a chemical that is used so commonly it

actually makes its way into our bodies. A 2002 Swedish study found high levels

of triclosan in 3 out of 5 human breast milk samples.

Under the appropriate settings and conditions—such as in hospitals, to prevent

hospital-acquired infections—triclosan has been proven effective. But no current

data demonstrate any extra health benefits from the use of antibacterial soap

and cleanser in a healthy household. A study of over 200 healthy households

found that households using antibacterial products did not have any reduced risk

for runny noses, coughs, and other symptoms of infectious diseases. According to

the American Medical Association, " Despite their recent proliferation in

consumer products, the use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan in consumer

products has not been studied extensively. No data exist to support their

efficacy when used in such products or any need for them ... It may be prudent

to avoid the use of antimicrobial agents in consumer products .... "

Cancer and Triclosan There have been reports of acute health effects

such as skin irritation resulting from triclosan exposure. But the more

worrisome health effects of triclosan are more subtle. Researchers have raised

concerns about triclosan and its link to dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic

chemicals that can cause severe health problems such as:

 

weakening of the immune system,

decreased fertility,

altered sex hormones,

birth defects, and

cancer.

Girl Scouts Say No To Triclosan A group of curious Girl Scouts in

St. Paul, Minnesota found that when they tried to use triclosan to kill bacteria

they were growing for a science fair project, the bacteria actually started

growing. After a two-year investigation, the girls found that while

anti-bacterial soap kills 99.6% of germs, regular soap kills 99.4% of germs. The

Girl Scouts concluded that household anti-bacterial products are unnecessary,

and that by not quite killing all the bacteria, they could actually create

super-germs that will pose a threat to public health. Based on their findings,

these young girls have met with local lawmakers who have submitted a bill on the

girls' behalf that would ban the use of triclosan.

Even relatively small quantities of dioxins can have devastating effects.

According to EPA, triclosan " could be " and is " suspected to be " contaminated

with dioxins. Dioxins can be found in triclosan as impurities formed during the

manufacturing process. Researchers who added triclosan to river water and

exposed it to ultraviolet light found that a significant portion of the

triclosan was converted to dioxins, raising fears that sunlight could transform

triclosan to dioxins naturally.

Another serious health threat stems from interactions between triclosan and

tap water. A new study by researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute finds

that triclosan reacts with chlorine molecules in tap water to form chlorinated

dioxins, which are highly toxic forms of dioxin. Because the study was conducted

using triclosan-containing dishwashing soap, researchers believe that these

chlorinated dioxins are forming in kitchen sinks across the country. The same

study also found that the combination of tap water and triclosan produces

significant quantities of chloroform, which is a probable human carcinogen.

Production of chloroform and dioxins may also be a problem in pools, where there

are high levels of chlorine that can react to triclosan residues on people's

skin.

Triclosan and Allergies Overuse of triclosan (and other

antibacterials) is also linked to allergies. This is based on the " hygiene

hypothesis, " which theorizes that there is a correlation between " too much

hygiene " and increased allergies and asthma. The concept is that children who

are raised in an overly clean environment have immune systems that are not

challenged and thus do not develop and mature properly. This hypothesis is based

on studies that have found an increase in the frequency of allergies, asthma,

and eczema in persons who have been raised in more sterile and hygienic

environments.

Triclosan and Antibiotic Resistance Many recent studies have raised serious

concerns that triclosan may promote the emergence of bacteria that are resistant

to antibiotics. One concern is that bacteria will become resistant to

antibacterial products like triclosan, rendering those antimicrobial products

useless to those who truly need them, such as people with compromised immune

systems.

Scientists also worry that because triclosan kills bacteria in a similar way

as antibiotics, bacteria that become resistant to triclosan will also be

resistant to antibiotics. Triclosan does not actually cause a genetic mutation

in the bacteria—which is part of the process by which they acquire

resistance—but by killing the normal bacteria, it creates an environment where

mutated bacteria that are resistant to triclosan are more likely to survive and

reproduce. Laboratory studies with triclosan have already found a number of

different strains of mutated bacteria that are resistant to triclosan and to

certain antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance has become an increasingly serious problem worldwide,

and overuse of triclosan may exacerbate this problem.

Environmental Effects—Triclosan in Wastewater Over 95% of triclosan uses are

in consumer products that are eventually disposed of down sink drains.

Wastewater treatment plants cannot remove triclosan from water, so large

quantities of triclosan are continuously discharged into local waterways.

Numerous studies have detected triclosan in streams and rivers. In a US

Geological Survey study of 95 organic wastewater contaminants in US streams,

triclosan was one of the most frequently detected compounds, and at some of the

highest concentrations observed.

Triclosan is highly toxic to algae. Because algae are the first-step producers

in aquatic ecosystems, researchers believe that high levels of triclosan

discharged into the environment may destroy the balance of aquatic ecosystems.

The risks are especially high immediately downstream from wastewater treatment

plants.

Products Containing Triclosan The following products all

contain triclosan. Caveat emptor!

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 Steakknife 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

Childrens 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

— Beyond Pesticides

 

 

 

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