The 'dirty' side of soap: Triclosan, a common antimicrobial causes liver fibrosis and cancer in mice

[UglyGreed]

The 'dirty' side of soap: Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in personal hygiene products, causes liver fibrosis and cancer in mice.

riclosan is an antimicrobial commonly found in soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and many other household items. Despite its widespread use, researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report potentially serious consequences of long-term exposure to the chemical. The study, published Nov. 17 by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that triclosan causes liver fibrosis and cancer in laboratory mice through molecular mechanisms that are also relevant in humans.


"Triclosan's increasing detection in environmental samples and its increasingly broad use in consumer products may overcome its moderate benefit and present a very real risk of liver toxicity for people, as it does in mice, particularly when combined with other compounds with similar action," said Robert H. Tukey, PhD, professor in the departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Pharmacology. Tukey led the study, together with Bruce D. Hammock, PhD, professor at University of California, Davis. Both Tukey and Hammock are directors of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Programs at their respective campuses.

Tukey, Hammock and their teams, including Mei-Fei Yueh, PhD, found that triclosan disrupted liver integrity and compromised liver function in mouse models. Mice exposed to triclosan for six months (roughly equivalent to 18 human years) were more susceptible to chemical-induced liver tumors. Their tumors were also larger and more frequent than in mice not exposed to triclosan.


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141117154612.htm

[jeff47]

1. Correction: Antibacterial soap.

Which is stupidly redundant - soap itself is antibacterial. Adding another chemical so you can slap "Antibacterial" on the label is just a way to charge more for the product.

And our lousy job educating people on science makes them think there is a benefit to the "antibacterial" version, so it's a very effective way of charging more for the product.

[UglyGreed]

2. I don't know but I

found this

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16922622

Abstract


Triclosan is a widely used biocide that is considered as an effective antimicrobial agent against different microorganisms. It is included in many contemporary consumer and personal health-care products, like oral and dermal products, but also in household items, including plastics and textiles. At bactericidal concentrations, triclosan appears to act upon multiple nonspecific targets, causing disruption of bacterial cell wall functions, while at sublethal concentrations, triclosan affects specific targets. During the 1990s, bacterial isolates with reduced susceptibility to triclosan were produced in laboratory experiments by repeated exposure to sublethal concentrations of the agent. Since 2000, a number of studies have verified the occurrence of triclosan resistance amongst dermal, intestinal, and environmental microorganisms, including some of clinical relevance. Of major concern is the possibility that triclosan resistance may contribute to reduced susceptibility to clinically important antimicrobials, due to either cross-resistance or co-resistance mechanisms. Although the number of studies elucidating the association between triclosan resistance and resistance to other antimicrobials in clinical isolates has been limited, recent laboratory studies have confirmed the potential for such a link in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. Thus, widespread use of triclosan may represent a potential public health risk in regard to development of concomitant resistance to clinically important antimicrobials.

[UglyGreed]

3. and this from wikipendia

Triclosan, similar in its uses and mechanism of action to triclocarban, is an antibacterial and antifungal agent found in consumer products, including soaps, detergents, toys and, surgical cleaning treatments. Its efficacy as an antimicrobial agent and the risk of bacterial resistance remain controversial. Additional research seeks to understand its potential effects on organisms and environmental health.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclosan

[UglyGreed]

4. Either way

my family will stop using these products. As you wrote, we were tricked into using them thinking we are protecting ourselves.

[cali]

6. good idea. I use Dr. Bronner's.

[UglyGreed]

9. Thank you I was

hoping some would recommend an alternative.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. We Never Use Them

Or hand sanitizers. Just helping breed superbugs if we do.

Just keeping hands clean is a super effective way to stay healthy. Every single microorganism is not detrimental.
GAC

[postulater]

5. I have a bottle of hand sanitizer in my office. Active ingredient is alcohol.

I have another bottle with the exact same name (Citrus II made by Beaumont Products) that I thought was the same hand sanitizer, but is an antibacterial hand soap. When I looked closer to see the ingredients, the active ingredient in the soap is Triclosan.

[FSogol]

7. Japan, Canada, and Minnesota banned Triclosan last Spring.

IIRC, many companies stopped using it then.

[UglyGreed]

10. I found this web site

not sure if it is legit though.

http://www.goodguide.com/categories/152732-liquid-hand-soap-reviews-and-ratings