Common Antibacterial Triclosan Creating Cause for Concern
Triclosan can be found in most of our homes. And our work environments. And in fact, in our bodies. Triclosans first emerged on the consumer market over 50 years ago through the Dial Corp. Obviously, the emergence of antibacterial products was done with good intentions, like preventing us from getting the flu and ingesting salmonella. Unfortunately, the extreme overuse has caused nothing but problems in today's world.
The most prominent issue is, of course, the manifestation of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, such as MRSA. Triclosan has made a significant contribution to these dangerous staph infections because it is found in so many consumer products. Overuse of triclosan causes our body to develop a resistance. In lab studies, triclosan has been shown to cause mutations of bacteria and cross-resistance. It is very likely that this problem will continue, and at this point, very unlikely that the innumerable companies marketing triclosan-based products will pull them off the shelves. Because of this, education is essential to curving the use of triclosan.
Triclosan can cause other effects on the body as well. Studies have shown that triclosan contributes to not only weakening of the immune system, but also allergies, decreased fertility, birth defects, altered hormones, and cancer.
More recently, scientists discovered that triclosans may have a negative effect on the environment. A U.S. Geological Survey published in 2002 claimed that triclosan and similar compounds can be found in nearly 60 percent of our streams and rivers. Wastewater treatment plants cannot remove triclosan. This is also triggering negative effects on our food-chain. When chlorine and triclosan mix, they create dangerous dioxins. These dioxins are reaching aquatic life, in turn effecting the food-chain.
The damaging effects of triclosans will continue to be studied over the next several years. In the meantime, take this information into consideration the next time you or your company buys soap or detergents.
The most prominent issue is, of course, the manifestation of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, such as MRSA. Triclosan has made a significant contribution to these dangerous staph infections because it is found in so many consumer products. Overuse of triclosan causes our body to develop a resistance. In lab studies, triclosan has been shown to cause mutations of bacteria and cross-resistance. It is very likely that this problem will continue, and at this point, very unlikely that the innumerable companies marketing triclosan-based products will pull them off the shelves. Because of this, education is essential to curving the use of triclosan.
Triclosan can cause other effects on the body as well. Studies have shown that triclosan contributes to not only weakening of the immune system, but also allergies, decreased fertility, birth defects, altered hormones, and cancer.
More recently, scientists discovered that triclosans may have a negative effect on the environment. A U.S. Geological Survey published in 2002 claimed that triclosan and similar compounds can be found in nearly 60 percent of our streams and rivers. Wastewater treatment plants cannot remove triclosan. This is also triggering negative effects on our food-chain. When chlorine and triclosan mix, they create dangerous dioxins. These dioxins are reaching aquatic life, in turn effecting the food-chain.
The damaging effects of triclosans will continue to be studied over the next several years. In the meantime, take this information into consideration the next time you or your company buys soap or detergents.
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