Anti-bacterial soaps under scrutiny in US

Triclosan and other chemicals used in
anti-bacterial products may pose risks.
Photo by graur razvan ionut/
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

After more than 40 years of study, the U.S. government says it has found no evidence that common anti-bacterial soaps prevent the spread of germs, and regulators want the makers of Dawn, Dial and other household staples to prove that their products do not pose health risks to consumers.

Scientists at the Food and Drug Administration announced recently that they are revisiting the safety of triclosan and other sanitizing agents found in soap in countless kitchens and bathrooms.

Recent studies suggest triclosan and similar substances can interfere with hormone levels in lab animals and spur the growth of drug-resistant bacteria.

The government's preliminary ruling lends new support to outside researchers who have long argued that the chemicals are, at best, ineffective and at worst, a threat to public health.

"The FDA is finally making a judgment call here and asking industry to show us that these products are better than soap and water, and the data don't substantiate that," said Stuart Levy of the Tufts University School of Medicine.

While the rule only applies to personal hygiene products, it has implications for a broader $1 billion industry that includes thousands of anti-bacterial products, including kitchen knives, toys, pacifiers and toothpaste. Over the last 20 years, companies have added triclosan and other cleaners to thousands of household products, touting their germ-killing benefits.

Under a proposed rule, the agency will require manufacturers to prove that anti-bacterial soaps are safe and more effective than plain soap and water. Products that are not shown to be safe and effective by late 2016 would have to be reformulated, relabeled or removed from the market.

"I suspect there are a lot of consumers who assume that by using an anti-bacterial soap product, they are protecting themselves from illness, protecting their families," said Sandra Kweder, deputy director in the FDA's drug center. "But we don't have any evidence that that is really the case over simple soap and water."

A spokesman for the cleaning product industry said the FDA already has "a wealth of data" showing the benefits of anti-bacterial products.

The announcement affects virtually all soap products labeled anti-bacterial, including popular brands from CVS, Bath and Body Works, Ajax and many other companies.

The rule does not apply to hand sanitizers, most of which use alcohol rather than anti-bacterial chemicals.

An FDA analysis estimates it will cost companies $112.2 million to $368.8 million to comply with the new regulations, including reformulating some products and removing marketing claims from others.

The agency will accept data from companies and researchers for one year before beginning to finalize the rule.

The proposal comes more than four decades after the FDA began evaluating triclosan, triclocarban and similar ingredients. The government only agreed to publish its findings after a three-year legal battle with the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group that accused the FDA of delaying action on potentially dangerous chemicals.

Triclosan is found in an estimated 75 percent of anti-bacterial liquid soaps and body washes in the U.S. More than 93 percent of anti-bacterial bar soaps also contain triclosan or triclocarban, according to the FDA.

The FDA was asked to investigate anti-bacterial chemicals in 1972 as part of a law designed to set guidelines for dozens of common cleaners. But the guidelines got bogged down in years of regulatory delays and missed deadlines. The agency published a preliminary draft of its findings in 1978, but never finalized the results until last week.

Most of the research surrounding triclosan's safety involves laboratory animals, including studies in rats that showed changes in testosterone, estrogen and thyroid hormones. Some scientists worry that such changes in humans could raise the risk of infertility, early puberty and even cancer.

FDA scientists stressed Monday that such studies are not necessarily applicable to humans, but the agency is reviewing their implications.

Other experts are concerned that routine use of anti-bacterial chemicals such as triclosan contributes to the emergence of drug-resistant germs, or superbugs, that render antibiotics ineffective.

In March 2010, the European Union banned the chemical from all products that come into contact with food, such as containers and silverware.

A spokesman for the American Cleaning Institute, a soap cleaning product trade organization, said the group will submit new data to regulators, including studies showing that company products do not lead to antibiotic resistance.

The group represents manufacturers including Henkel, Unilever and Dow Chemical Co.

Source: SFGate

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Cosmetics companies pushed to address toxic ingredients

Many companies are listening to public
concerns about toxins in their products.

An environmental group has ranked Canada’s five largest cosmetics companies based on potentially harmful ingredients in their products.

The report from Toronto-based Environmental Defence says the big five all have issues with chemicals that could be harmful to human health, but some are doing better than others.

And it says public pressure is beginning to exert influence on the ingredients companies use in everything from shampoo and moisturizers to toothpaste and deodorant.

Citing publicly available information and using a basket of five common products, Environmental Defence looked for what it called the “toxic 10″ – 10 chemicals that have faced international scrutiny for their proven or potential health hazards.

The study ranked Proctor and Gamble best among Canada’s big five cosmetics companies, followed by Johnson and Johnson, and Unilever.

Estee Lauder and L’Oreal rounded out fourth and fifth place, respectively, principally because they did not publicly post policies on eliminating toxins such as triclosan and phthalates from their products.

“The good news is that some companies are listening to the growing concerns from their customers about the risks of these chemicals,” Maggie MacDonald of Environmental Defence said in a release.

“Others need to take the old saying to heart – the customer is always right – and act to remove harmful chemicals.”

Chemicals such as formaldehyde and
parabens have been linked to health problems.

Companies starting to eliminate toxic chemicals

Procter and Gamble announced in September that it would eliminate triclosan, a commonly used anti-bacterial agent, and phthalates from its personal-care products in 2014.

Johnson and Johnson committed in 2012 to remove triclosan, phthalates, formaldehydes and parabens from its adult toiletries and cosmetics.

Wal-Mart Stores, meanwhile, announced this fall that it would be working toward reducing chemicals starting in January, and promises a public report in two years on how it has fared.

Health Canada and Environment Canada proposed in 2012 that industry should voluntarily cut the amount of triclosan it uses, particularly in personal-care products that tend to get rinsed away into lakes and rivers. A Health Canada study found triclosan is harmful to the environment, but safe for humans.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing the safety of triclosan, with a report expected imminently.

Concerns have been raised that the widespread use of triclosan may be triggering hormonal changes, or causing anti-microbial resistance that could lead to super bugs.

Phthalates are a family of chemicals commonly used as plasticizers, used to help make plastics flexible. They also help make soaps, cleansers and perfume adhere to skin and are commonly found in synthetic fragrances.

Studies suggest that when ingested, phthalates could cause reproductive and developmental abnormalities in young children.

Source: Global News

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P&G halts use of 2 chemicals in personal care products

When it comes to beauty and personal care products, the promises may not be worth the possible health effects. In recent years, consumers have become more concerned about what kind of chemicals they are exposed to on a regular basis.

Companies are slowly phasing out
toxic chemicals from beauty products.

It seems to be working.

Procter & Gamble has announced it is phasing out the use of two chemicals by 2014 from its beauty and personal care products.

The chemicals are phthalates and triclosan, which advocates say have been linked to birth defects and infertility.

“We made a strategic choice to exit the use of these two ingredients for a couple of reasons, including feedback from some of the people who use our products,” company spokesman Dr. Scott Heid was quoted in a Cincinnati News article.

The company recently updated its timetable for discontinuing the chemicals’ use on its web site.

The company says the chemicals are safe and approved by regulators.

P&G says it will stop use of diethyl phthalate (DEP), the only phthalate it still uses. The chemical evaporates slowly and helps scents and colors last longer in products such as soap and shampoo.

Other types of phthalates called DBP and DEHP have been banned by the European Union and dropped by consumer product companies.

The consumer products giant also says it will stop using triclosan, an ingredient that slows or stops the growth of germs such as bacteria and mildew. P&G uses the antibacterial chemical in some of its dish soap, professional hand soap and other personal care products.

Source: Cincinnati News

Remove hazardous chemicals at the source

Even though some dangerous and toxic chemicals are being phased out, others may still linger after using certain beauty and personal care products.

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Chemical regulations: Triclosan in the news

Canada and U.S. have different approaches

The chemical ends up in the environment where it can
enter the food chain and lead to even higher exposure.

Triclosan is a chemical with antibacterial qualities, which is why it can be found in thousands of household products, including toothpaste, soap, kids’ toys, face creams, computer keyboards, yoga mats and more.

While the United States Food and Drug Administration is still conducting a lengthy review of the chemical, Canada is moving to regulate it more aggressively.

The Canadian government just declared triclosan an environmental toxin and plans to curtail its use in Canada with more stringent regulations.

In the U.S. a similar movement exists to have the chemical regulated more, or even banned, but officials are still investigating the chemical’s safety and effectiveness after 40 years on the market.

Opponents of the chemical argue that the antibacterial agent ends up being washed down the drain. In the environment it turns into a pollutant known as 240CP.

People may be exposed to the chemical in the household products as well as when they consume plants and animals that have taken up the pollutant.

What are possible health effects of triclosan?

While research remains controversial or inconclusive, many people worry about the chemical’s possible impact on hormone levels, antibiotic resistance and more.

There are also controversial concerns about the chemical reacting with other chemicals.

When triclosan (often found in toothpaste) is mixed with chlorine (often found in tap water), it may form chloroform, a sweet-smelling chemical that can be used to render someone unconscious.

Officials maintain that there is not enough scientific evidence to recommend changing regulations regarding triclosan at this time.

There are currently no limits with regards to the concentration of triclosan in consumer products such as antibacterial soap.

The FDA review of triclosan is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Source: Public Radio International

A question of corporate responsibility?

Whenever companies are using or adding chemicals to products, they need to be mindful of the possible health effects to workers and customers.

More and more companies are moving away from controversial or possibly toxic chemicals, but other toxins may still be under review.

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