A common ingredient in anti-bacterial products is being reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Triclosan is an ingredient added to soaps and body washes to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination. It can also be found in some cosmetics, toothpastes, clothing, kitchenware, furniture and toys.
The FDA says triclosan is not currently known to be hazardous to humans but several recent scientific studies have prompted the need for review. According to the FDA, animal studies have shown triclosan alters hormone regulation and other studies in bacteria have raised the possibility that triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
Results of the FDA’s review aren’t due out until 2011. The authority says it doesn’t have sufficient safety evidence at this time to recommend changing consumer use of products that contain triclosan. But it also points out there’s no evidence triclosan added to anti-bacterial soaps and body washes provides any extra health benefits over soap and water.
We’ve previously investigated anti-bacterial cleaning products. Our view is these products are a marketing invention that aims to cash in on our fear of germs. Don’t waste your money: soap and water will get your hands as clean as they need to be.
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I agree a lot of it is really the manufacturers cashing in on our fear of infection, with soaps etc. But, I thought I recalled a Consumer survey some years ago, that recommended toothpastes with triclosan? Is this still the case?
Anti-bacterial products not only prey on the fears of weak-minded people, but they are actually dangerous - bacteria evolve quite quickly, and develop resistance. With increasing use of these products, resistant bacteria will become more common. Their use should therefore be restricted, as should antibiotic misuse.
http://www.anapsid.org/superbugs.html
Ihave read other evidence about this product and feel that if there is a suspected problem it should be pulled from use straight away. How will it affect our young people still developing hormonally.
the criticism of these products misses the point - they are for when you can't wash your hands!
... soap and water really did get things clean and our lives are certainly no worse than our predecessors. What are we doing to ourselves?