Harmful Antibacterial Chemicals in
Our Everyday Lives
Introduction
Triclosan, a
common chemical in the world of chemistry, that can be found in everyday
household antibacterial and hygiene products such as hand soaps and
toothpastes, has recently been in the news due to its potential harmful side
effects. After much research, one state has decided to take a stand against the
future harm that these products may cause, and has begun efforts to remove said
products from their shelves. In the
article, "Minnesota bans overused antibacterial Triclosan from soaps,
hygiene products," the discussion of the side effects that these products may
lead to, has caused me to think twice about what I am using on a daily basis to
brush my teeth and wash my hands. The article focuses on research that suggests
that products containing the chemical agent, Triclosan, have been linked to
causing hormone disruption and possibly even cancer.
The
Disturbing Facts
According to Minnesota lawmakers, the
members of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are not doing enough to
determine if there is, in fact, scientific truth behind these discoveries. Therefore,
people like Mark Dayton, the governor of Minnesota, have decided to take matters
into their own hands to ban the retail sale of these products. These actions
are not being based off of a hunch that some scientists have about the
chemical, but instead are based on research and scientific finding. The
articles states that, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the
CDC, have recently discovered that Triclosan, the chemical in question, was
found to be present in the urine of 75 percent of Americans. According to a
report done by Food & Water Watch and Beyond Pesticides, “Triclosan
exposure has become so common that it has shown up in the blood, urine, and
breast milk of people across the globe,” which is a disturbing notion when one
considers the adverse side effects that the articles mentions can occur. Other
studies mentioned in the article gave its reader a better understanding of what
these effects actually were.
The
Physiological Effects of Triclosan
There happens to be documented research done by the
Office of New Drugs department at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research,
which reveals a reduction in thyroid function and thyroid hormone release in lab
rats that are exposed to the chemical. Another study that was preformed showed
that in addition to the reduction of thyroid hormones production, there was
also evidence that suggested that the chemical also inhibits the thyroid
hormone that deals with gene expression. This is a scary thought when there is also
scientific evidence that shows that even people that do not use products
containing Triclosan are still exposed to it through food, water, and dust.
In addition
to its effects on thyroid function, Triclosan also may continue to cause
harmful effects once it has broken down into other compounds. In fact, once
broken down, Triclosan forms a byproduct call Dioxin. Dioxins are compounds
that contain chlorine and possess carcinogenic, or cancer causing properties.
When these products get washed down our drains they end up in wastewater
treatment plants where this chemical breakdown takes place, leaving these
harmful compounds in our environment.
The Long-term
Effects
The issue
that Minnesota officials are trying to stop from spreading is that fact that
Triclosan is present in products we use every single day. Some of these
products include, hand and body soaps such as Dial and Tea Tree, face cleansing
products from names brands including Clearasil and Dermalogica, toothpastes and
other dental care products such as Colgate Total paste and Breeze mouthwash,
and lastly cosmetic products like Murad Acne Complex and Bath and Body Works
antibacterial moisturizing lotions. Just from what I have listed above I can
pick out at least three things that I personally use every single day and
night.
Needless to
say, there will be more research done on the effects of Triclosan, but sadly
the truth is
some of these effects take years to recognize, by which point it
may be too late for some. For reasons such as this, Minnesota officials have
decided to take a stand to try and protect the people living in their state as
best they can. Who knows how long it will be before this health hazard epidemic
spreads to other states, however, I know that I will be giving a closer look to
the hygiene products I use the next time I’m in the store.
References
http://www.naturalnews.com/045439_triclosan_pesticides_handwashing.html
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/antibacterial/products.php
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