Health Effects of Triclosan?

Triclosan is found in many different antibacterial and antifungal products on today's market. It is popular in hand soaps, face washes, toothpaste and is sometimes used in Microban products. Triclosan does not degrade at a very fast rate and has been found at the bottom of lakes and in sewage. Triclosan has been found to kill up to 99.6 percent of bacterial, even after hands and body parts have been dried completely.

Because of statistics like the above, many individuals are using products with the ingredient Triclosan, but recent information shows that Triclosan may be harmful to more than just the environment; it may be harmful to the human body as well and the USFDA is re-evaluating the safety of Triclosan in common everyday products.

According to writer Jake Richardson (Healthy & Green Living, Care2.com), Old Spice Deodorant Stick, Fresh, is rated a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10, indicating a moderate hazard level (a rating of 10 is the most hazardous). The reason this deodorant is considered to be hazardous is because it contains the active ingredient Triclosan. The USFDA is currently reviewing Triclosan. Triclosan has been linked with cancer, abnormalities with the endocrine system, weakening of the immune system, birth defects, uncontrolled cell growth and unhealthy weight loss.

Most consumers would be surprised to discover that Triclosan can be found in several products, including deodorants, antibacterial soaps, toothpastes, cosmetics, children's toys and other products, personal care products, paints, furniture and more. Some of the more commonly known products include Dial and Softsoap, Colgate and Reach Toothpastes, Revlon and Paul Mitchell products, Old Spice and RightGuard deodorants, Gillette and Aveeno products, some first aid products, products containing Microban, Dickies and Fruit of the Loom socks, Thomasville furniture and more. For a more complete list of products Triclosan is found in, visit Products that Contain Triclosan.

For individuals concerned about the health effects of Triclosan, pay attention to the ingredients listed on commonly used products and contact local retailers about pulling products that contain Triclosan off of their shelves. For individuals who suddenly begin to experience signs of toxin poisoning (unexplained seizures, breathing problems, strange allergies, etc), it's wise to investigate the ingredients in products and find products to use alternatively.