Monday, January 28, 2013

The surprising hiding places for triclosan

Have you been watching out for triclosan? I sure have. Or at least I thought I was. I mean, I pick up a liquid soap dispenser and scan the ingredients to see if it's there. Of course, simply avoiding any antibacterial soaps is a good option. 

What I forgot is that triclosan is hiding in unusual places -- like in plastic food containers and cutting boards. Did you know it could be in the clothing you wear, or the toys your little ones are playing with. How about your toothbrush? Did you know it might be hiding this nasty chemical in its bristles? Yikes! 

Other places you might discover triclosan include:
  • towels
  • sponges
  • hand sanitizer
  • dishwashing detergent
  • shower curtains
  • mattresses (look out when shopping for crib mattresses!)
  • phones
  • toothpaste
  • flooring and carpeting
  • shoes
  • garbage cans
  • vacuum cleaner bags 
  • and, unfortunately, many, many more 
If a product is labeled "antibacterial," stay away! You don't want it in your home. Other terms that seduce us, but should actually serve as warnings are "odor-fighting," "antimicrobial," or anything about keeping food fresher, longer.

In addition to triclosan, you also want to avoid a similar chemical called triclocarban.

But why?

Simply because you don't want to introduce the possibility of liver and inhalation toxicity into your family's lives. Even low levels of triclosan can affect thyroid function. And studies show a link between triclosan and asthma. Of course, cancer is always an issue as well. Lots of scary stuff.

Protect your family and don't buy into the promise of "anitbacterial" being best. It's a lie. And it's your job to shield your kids from the possibly devastating affects of these nasty chemicals.







More info on triclosan:

Pass me the hand sanitizer ... NOT! This includes a link to a comprehensive list of products that have triclosan in them
What got me fired up on the Sabbath

16 comments:

  1. I don't buy anything that is anti-bacterial unless sit is all-natural or/and organic and has no tricolsan. Thanks for the info.

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  2. It is everywhere and sad because it wasn't formulated for every day use... not that I think it was wvwn nwcessary tol create

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    1. There is no reason for children, especially, to have to be exposed to it on a daily basis, ie. at school, daycare, preschool, etc.

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  3. Ick not good. I didn't know it was in so many things.

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    1. I didn't either. It's disturbing. And, based on this year's flu and virus outbreaks across the country, it's not proving to be effective. :-(

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  4. I had never even heard of this before. I am going to have to do some more research and make sure we rid our home of it.

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    Replies
    1. Check out the link in the first post I referenced. It is a pretty comprehensive list.

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  5. I had never heard of this either. Thank you for sharing!

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  6. We started phasing it out a few years ago. Luckily, Clean Well makes a good soap that uses thyme as its natural antibacterial ingredient.

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    Replies
    1. Clean Well? I never heard of that. Do you have a link?

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  7. Wow! I knew to look out for the hand sanitizers, but not the other stuff. And ew, toothbrushes? They go in our mouths! Yuck!

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  8. Another reason to avoid any kind of plastics!! Thanks for spreading the word on this nasty chemical.

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