Triclosan - Steer Clear of It!

Are you a nail biter? My kids are nail biters, which is rather odd, since I haven't had natural nails in over 23 years... One of these days I'll boot the chemicals out the door; but - until then, please - let me cover my gray and paint my nails... it won't be long.

By the time you're done reading this, you'll run to the bathroom to check out your hand soap - I promise! Let's see if I can explain, copy & paste to get the point across: First a bit of science...

Antimicrobials are natural or synthetic substances which kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. This capability makes antimicrobials unique for the control of infectious diseases caused by a large variety of pathogenic bacteria.

Antimicrobials are pesticides and must be regulated within the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in accordance with the Federal Insecticides, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). There are more than 5000 antimicrobial pesticides registered with the EPA. When used in or on the human body, however, antimicrobials are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Antibacterials
Even though antimicrobial and antibacterial are often used interchangeably, there are many antimicrobial substances on the market designed to work specifically against bacteria. These are known as antibacterials.

Triclosan is a broad spectrum pesticide found is a many products, including soaps and toys. Despite its wide-spread use, its health and environmental impacts are only now being studied, although I don’t why.

“Triclosan is the focus of a campaign undertaken by a coalition of health and environmental groups led by Beyond Pesticides, aimed at removing triclosan from the market. Triclosan, one of the most prevalent antibacterial compounds found in products, is the focus of a campaign undertaken by a coalition of health and environmental groups led by Beyond Pesticides, aimed at removing triclosan from the market. Studies have increasingly linked triclosan (and its chemical cousin triclocarban), to a range of adverse health and environmental effects, from skin irritation, allergy susceptibility, bacterial, endocrine disruption and compounded antibiotic resistantance, tainted water, and dioxin contamination to destruction of fragile aquatic ecosystems.”