Is antibacterial soap containing triclosan beneficial to use?
Do you really think carefully when you pick a soap off that retail shelves for your handwashing needs? If not, maybe need to re-think over. I used to ignore all ingredients listed at the back of each item however I just googled up the word “Triclosan” - a common antibacterial and antifungal agent - I found at the back of the antibacterial soap and figured out it’s not really prefarable for use. Here’s why:
Overuse of chemicals like triclosan has been suggested to cause sensitive bacteria to evolve resistance to its antibacterial action. Should any antibiotic be discovered that works similarly to triclosan, this antibiotic’s effectiveness to combat infections will be reduced because people will be hosting resistant bacteria already due to their use of soaps containing triclosan.
And further more by Victoria Times Colonist
Whether you’re washing your hands or the kitchen countertops, it’s best for your family’s health and the environment to pass up antibacterial products in favour of plain soap and water, a University of Victoria researcher has found.
UVic molecular biologist Caren Helbing found while triclosan — common in soaps, clothing, toys and other items having antibacterial properties — isn’t lethal in small quantities, it can potentially affect the human thyroid gland. The thyroid plays a role in development, body temperature and metabolism.
“For most things, regular soap is just fine. In terms of children’s products, they shouldn’t have triclosan in them at all,” Helbing said in an interview.
Helbing’s research, published last week in the online journal Aquatic Toxicology, found triclosan to be harmful in the development of frogs and potentially humans. At the molecular level, the chemical compound is similar to vertibrates’ thyroid hormone. Helbing found triclosan at levels found in the environment disrupted a tadpole’s transition into a frog.
“Frogs serve as a very sensitive sentinel species for chemicals that can actually disrupt thyroid hormone action,” said Helbing. “Triclosan at levels measured in our waterways can actually affect how thyroid hormones works in frogs.”
The chemical compound is man-made for the purpose of killing bacteria and is showing up in more consumer products. Easy-clean items marketed as containing “Microban” contain triclosan, said Helbing.
But Helbing said triclosan is not necessary to clean up most household spills, and other scientists agree.
“When you ask a qualified microbiologist, they’ll tell you that it’s being overdone and there’s probably a greater chance of creating bacterial resistance than preventing problems,” said Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society. “Washing with soap and water is enough, except in a hospital environment … You don’t want to use a jackhammer to kill an ant when stepping on it will do.
“The reason why the triclosan story is interesting is it’s so pervasive — it’s in so many products. Even (though) the risk (of ill effects) is small, the exposure is too large.”
Helbing agrees the prevalence of triclosan in the environment can make the fight against antibiotic-resistant illnesses more difficult.
It can also affect normal human development: “There are a lot of different processes in the body that can be affected.”
In March, the Canadian Paediatric Society called for parents to stop buying antibacterial products, and instead use soap and water to wash toys, hands or household items.
Triclosant can also be find in soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, shaving creams, mouth washes and cleaning supplies.
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Comment from Rev K L Maines
Time: July 4, 2008, 10:37 am
Greetings! Since the beginning of history, God has been revealing events to come to His people. On June 19, 2008 the Lord strongly impressed on me the need for His people to educate themselves concerning the products they buy and consume. I am writing this because I believe the Lord is warning His people of days to come. There are certain chemicals found in everyday products that are going to wreak havoc on our environment and well-being. One such chemical is Triclosan. Triclosan is an excellent product when used to protect healthcare providers treating patients with contagious diseases, such as medical professionals who are working in third-world countries during serious disease outbreaks. It can be a lifesaver to medical workers under those circumstances; however, the use of triclosan has not been tightly regulated, and it is now being overused in many products you and I use every day.
The warning cry is that this chemical and similar compounds will end up killing us if we continue to misuse and overuse them. Overuse puts us all at risk at contracting antibiotic-resistant superbugs, and individually, triclosan-based products weaken our immune systems. Please do not use or purchase triclosan-based products.
I hope you will take the time to read this brief message about the dangers of the chemical Triclosan and similar tricloson-like products (such as Triclocarban and quaternary ammonium compounds):
*Triclosan is found in hundreds of common everyday products, including nearly half of all commercial soaps.
*It is used so frequently that triclosan has made its way into the human body - a Swedish study found triclosan in human breast milk in three out of five women.
*Numerous studies have found that triclosan promotes the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.
*Dioxin, a highly carcinogenic, endocrine disrupting compound, may be formed during the manufacturing process of triclosan, and thus is a likely contaminant. More alarmingly, researchers found that when sunlight is shined on triclosan in water and on fabric, a portion of triclosan is transformed into dioxin. Because of its ubiquitous nature, the conversion to dioxin is of major concern.
*Triclosan is one of the most frequently detected compounds in rivers, streams, and other bodies of water, often in high concentrations. Triclosan is highly toxic to a number of different types of algae. Since algae are the primary producers in many aquatic ecosystems, high levels of triclosan may have destructive effects on aquatic ecosystems.
*The American Medical Association took an official stance against adding antimicrobials to consumer products in 2000 and has repeatedly urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to better regulate these chemicals.
For more information google.com: “Triclosan.”
The single most important thing you can do in your life is to establish a personal relationship with Jesus, in which He is your personal Lord and Savior. If you have not yet accepted Jesus into your life, you can do so now, by praying this prayer:
“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus is the Messiah and He died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. Amen.”
Blessings to you,
Rev. K. L. Maines
Rev. K. L. Maines
Duly Ordained Pastor/Evangelist
For Prayer email me at : RevMaines@aol.com
Triclosan is found in the following products:
Soaps:
* Dial® Liquid Soap* Softsoap® Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap* Tea Tree Therapy™ Liquid Soap* Provon® Soap* Clearasil® Daily Face Wash* Dermatologica® Skin Purifying Wipes* Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser* DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap* Naturade Aloe Vera 80® Antibacterial Soap* CVS Antibacterial Soap* pHisoderm Antibacterial Skin Cleanser
Dental Care:
* Colgate Total®; Breeze™ Triclosan Mouthwash* Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush* Janina Diamond Whitening Toothpaste
Cosmetics:
* Supre® Café Bronzer™* TotalSkinCare Makeup Kit* Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation* Mavala Lip Base* Jason Natural Cosmetics* Blemish Cover Stick* Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ* Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb* Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss* Dazzle
Deodorant:
* Old Spice High Endurance Stick Deodorant* Right Guard Sport Deodorant* Queen Helene® Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant* Nature De France Le Stick Natural Stick Deodorant* DeCleor Deodorant Stick* Epoch® Deodorant with Citrisomes* X Air Maximum Strength Deodorant
Other Personal Care Products:
* Gillette® Complete Skin Care MultiGel Aerosol Shave Gel* Murad Acne Complex® Kit®* Diabet-x™ Cream* T.Taio™ sponges and wipes* Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel
First Aid:
* SyDERMA® Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic* Solarcaine®* First Aid Medicated Spray;Nexcare™ First Aid* Skin Crack Care* First Aid/Burn Cream* HealWell® Night Splint* 11-1X1: Universal Cervical Collar with Microban
Kitchenware:
* Farberware® Microban Steakknife Set and Cutting Boards* Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban* Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer* Chix® Food Service Wipes with Microban* Compact Web Foot® Wet Mop Heads
Computer Equipment:
* Fellowes Cordless Microban Keyboard and Microban Mouse Pad
Clothes:
* Teva® Sandals* Merrell Shoes* Sabatier Chef’s Apron* Dickies Socks* Fruit of the Loom Socks* Biofresh® Socks
Children’s Toys:
* Playskool® 
Stack ‘n Scoop Whaleo Rockin’ Radioo Hourglasso Sounds Around Drivero Roll ‘n’ Rattle Ballo Animal Sounds Phoneo Busy Beads Palo Pop ‘n’ Spin Topo Lights ‘n’ Surprise Laptop
Other:
* Bionare® Cool Mist Humidifier* Microban® All Weather Reinforced Hose* Thomasville® Furniture* Deciguard AB Ear Plugs* Bauer® 5000 Helmet* Aquatic Whirlpools* Miller Paint Interior Paint* QVC® Collapsible 40-Can Cooler* Holmes Foot Buddy™ Foot Warmer* Blue Mountain Wall Coverings* California Paints®* EHC AMRail Escalator Handrails* Dupont™ Air Filters* Durelle™ Carpet Cushions* Advanta One Laminate Floors* San Luis Blankets* J Cloth® towels* JERMEX mops
Source: BeyondPesticides.org
References taken from the CDC website:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol7no3_supp/levy.htm
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Comment from baby
Time: June 16, 2008, 7:25 am
Nice website!!