Another Potentially Dangerous Widely-Used Chemical

Another chemical to add to the list of those commonly used by manufacturers in producing toiletries, including products that may be ingested, that appear to pose a serious, potential risk to human health. This chemical is used so commonly it can be found in everyday consumer products, from soaps to toys. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration claims its research into the chemical raises "valid concerns" over its continued use, impacting deleteriously on human health.

Health Canada, on the other hand, is conducting its own evaluation of "emerging scientific data" in an effort to reach a decision whether it should take steps to protect consumers in this country. While the American position is to steam ahead with a ban in triclosan for use in personal care products, toys and clothing.

Most liquid anti-bacterial soaps commonly contain triclosan. It acts as an active ingredient to halt the growth of bacteria, and to deodorize. The chemical is an integral ingredient in toothpaste, facewash, deodorants and cosmetics. And has latterly been added as a useful bacteria-killer to countertops, kitchenware, toys and clothing.

It may kill bacteria, but in the end it may turn out to gift unwary consumers with illnesses that could in the end, kill us. The FDA's concern with the use of triclosan is that it has the potential of disrupting the human body's endocrine system. "It is the FDA's opinion that existing data raise valid concerns about the effects of repetitive daily human exposure to these antiseptic ingredients."

As for Health Canada, without revealing whether it is in agreement with the FDA's statement, it claims "recent scientific reports on the effects of triclosan on the body's endocrine system and whether triclosan contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance are being considered as part of current assessment activity."

Good, as far as it goes. But kindly get on with it! A trifle more speedily, please.

For if Health Canada's current rules are that the oral cosmetics can cause health problems which appears to be the case, since they are required to carry the statement, "the product is not to be used by children under the age of 12", then we should surely be aware that such products are not safe for anyone.

Sometimes, time is of the essence. All the more so, since this chemical appears also to be a registered pesticide. What can producers be thinking of, to include a chemical such as this in commonly-used products? That they will because they can?

Isn't it time they were advised by law, that they cannot and must not?