Triclosan
Let's talk about Triclosan. For me the most compelling piece of information about Triclosan is that there's no evidence that it adds any value to our personal care products in household settings, but there is evidence that it might increase antibiotic resistant bacteria. In 2005, the FDA found no evidence that antibacterial washes containing Triclosan were superior to plain soap and water for protecting consumers from bacteria. It's hard for me to understand the inclusion of chemicals in products when they add no value. Triclosan is a pesticide found in numerous consumer products. It was initially developed as a surgical scrub but has become widespread in household products. In Canada, the percent of Triclosan in a product is limited, because it is in so many products, this limitation is somewhat artificial in terms of its impact on any one person.
The official FDA position is that while there is evidence of Triclosan causing health problems in laboratory animals, there is not proof that it causes harm in people. In 1978, the FDA stated that Triclosan is "not generally recognized as safe and effective." However, because we are still waiting for them to complete their review 34 years later, this did not keep it from being incorporated into products. The FDA has stated that they will complete this review.
In the meantime, some places are taking action, Kaiser Permanente has removed Triclosan containing soaps from its hospitals and Johnson & Johnson has pledged to remove Triclosan from all of its adult products by the end of 2015. The company says none of its baby products currently contain the ingredient.
The Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics are among the many organizations concerned about Triclosan. The European Union has banned it.
There are concerns about Triclosan causing skin irritation and that since it passes through the skin, it may function as an endocrine disruptor. It is classified as toxic to aquatic organisms by the European Union The Center for Disease Control and Prevention detected Triclosan in 75% of the people whose urine they tested for this substance. When products containing Triclosan are used and washed down the shower drain or just disposed of, they run into the waterways. This suggests a threat to the environment and our water sources.
So, what can you do? Make wise non-toxic choices in the products that you purchase. This will help eliminate Triclosan from your system (and the systems of your loved ones), and send a message to companies about what products are acceptable. If you carry non-toxic products with you, encourage others to use them. I have many friends whose children bring their own hand sanitizer to school so that they don't have to use the Triclosan containing pumps at school. Wash your hands, your counter tops, etc, but do so with safe, effective products.
Of course, Ava Anderson Non-Toxic products contain no Triclosan!
Let's talk about Triclosan. For me the most compelling piece of information about Triclosan is that there's no evidence that it adds any value to our personal care products in household settings, but there is evidence that it might increase antibiotic resistant bacteria. In 2005, the FDA found no evidence that antibacterial washes containing Triclosan were superior to plain soap and water for protecting consumers from bacteria. It's hard for me to understand the inclusion of chemicals in products when they add no value. Triclosan is a pesticide found in numerous consumer products. It was initially developed as a surgical scrub but has become widespread in household products. In Canada, the percent of Triclosan in a product is limited, because it is in so many products, this limitation is somewhat artificial in terms of its impact on any one person.
The official FDA position is that while there is evidence of Triclosan causing health problems in laboratory animals, there is not proof that it causes harm in people. In 1978, the FDA stated that Triclosan is "not generally recognized as safe and effective." However, because we are still waiting for them to complete their review 34 years later, this did not keep it from being incorporated into products. The FDA has stated that they will complete this review.
In the meantime, some places are taking action, Kaiser Permanente has removed Triclosan containing soaps from its hospitals and Johnson & Johnson has pledged to remove Triclosan from all of its adult products by the end of 2015. The company says none of its baby products currently contain the ingredient.
The Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics are among the many organizations concerned about Triclosan. The European Union has banned it.
There are concerns about Triclosan causing skin irritation and that since it passes through the skin, it may function as an endocrine disruptor. It is classified as toxic to aquatic organisms by the European Union The Center for Disease Control and Prevention detected Triclosan in 75% of the people whose urine they tested for this substance. When products containing Triclosan are used and washed down the shower drain or just disposed of, they run into the waterways. This suggests a threat to the environment and our water sources.
So, what can you do? Make wise non-toxic choices in the products that you purchase. This will help eliminate Triclosan from your system (and the systems of your loved ones), and send a message to companies about what products are acceptable. If you carry non-toxic products with you, encourage others to use them. I have many friends whose children bring their own hand sanitizer to school so that they don't have to use the Triclosan containing pumps at school. Wash your hands, your counter tops, etc, but do so with safe, effective products.
Of course, Ava Anderson Non-Toxic products contain no Triclosan!
