What's triclosan?
Are you using an anti-bacterial or odor eliminating sponge? Chances are these sponges contain triclosan. Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent and is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as being a pesticide. What is triclosan? Triclosan is a chemical ingredient added to many different products. The chemical has antibacterial properties that prevent or stop bacterial growth and contamination. In the past, triclosans germ-killing capabilities made it a common additive in many over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial soaps and body washes.
In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of consumer antiseptic wash products containing triclosan. This included about 40% of all soaps sold. You were supposed to use these antimicrobial products with water and rinse them off after use. The FDA stated that these products may not be safe, and they work no better than regular soap and water. In addition, research indicates that antibacterial soaps may be creating drug-resistant bacteria. They could also be causing long-term health issues.
What products contain triclosan?
A wide range of consumer products contain triclosan. More than 80% of triclosan usage is in personal care products, cosmetics and household cleaning products. These products contain between 0.1% and 0.3% triclosan. These include items regulated by the FDA, such as:
- Fluoride toothpaste.
- Mouthwashes.
- Synthetic plastic based sponges (as an anti bacterial)
- Facial cleansers.
- Kitchen Sponges.
- Aftershave.
- Deodorants and body sprays.
- Lotions and creams.
- Cosmetics.
- Detergents and dishwashing liquids.
- Deodorants
- Cosmetics
- School supplies (pencils, calculators, scissors)
- Plastic toys
- Cleaning supplies
- Laundry products
- Cutting boards
- Textiles (clothing, shoes, bedding)
- Carpets
- Sealants/Adhesives
Triclosan is part of other materials, including pesticides and textiles. It keeps these materials resistant to bacterial growth. Clothing, shoes, carpeting, furniture, toys and kitchenware and synthetic sponges all contain the ingredient. The FDA doesn’t regulate these products.
Triclosans first use was as a pesticide in the 1960s. It’s now an ingredient in commercial and industrial equipment such as conveyor belts and HVAC coils. In residential and public access areas, it’s used in flooring, shower curtains and mattresses. This pesticide (yes, we said pesticide) is a hormone disruptor found in thousands of products like toothpaste, cutting boards, sponges, yoga mats, hand soap, cosmetics and other commonly daily use products. It can also encourage the growth of drug-resistant bacteria.
Potential health effects include:
- Endocrine (hormone) disruption
- Potential antibiotic resistance
- Pregnancy problems
- Impaired muscle function
- Altered thyroid hormone receptor
- Learning disabilities
- Infertility
- Liver and inhalation toxicity
- Skin, eye, and lung irritation
A lot of the products we use on a daily basis are a potential cause of health problems down the road, we want to reduce this exposure starting in the kitchen!
Think about all of the products you use while cleaning your home... from fragrances that cause headaches, to harsh chemical cleaners for toilets or sinks, to artificially colored dish soap that leaves traces of carcinogenic residue from a plate to your food, to scrubbing metal and ingesting microplastics from cooking utensils in a pan.
Let's stop using plastic products and use compostable eco friendly products that can leave the world a better place, while improving our own health.