"The Debate Rages On – Triclosan/Copolymer: Debunking the Myths," by By Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS. There have been claims in the news lately that triclosan is unsafe for humans. As with any product, toxicity is determined by the dosage, and the amount of potentially toxic ingredients in a product. This article discusses the efficacy of dentifrices containing triclosan, and the fact that there is currently not enough evidence to recommend avoiding use of products that contain triclosan. … [Read more...]
Infectious and Unscientific Attack on Antibacterial Soap
June 19, 2014
"Green Group's Unscientific Attack on Soap," By Erik Telford. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tasked with promoting public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of medicines and consumer products. But like most federal bureaucracies under the Obama administration, it has allowed its regulatory agenda to be influenced by activist groups. The FDA’s latest target is, of all things, antibacterial soaps, which fringe activists believe pose a variety of health and environmental … [Read more...]
Triclosan’s Dental Benefits
March 31, 2014
"Triclosan: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly," By Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS. There has been much chatter lately on social media regarding triclosan, and products containing triclosan. Allegations are being made that products contacting triclosan are being banned in certain countries and that it is an unsafe addition to oral care and other products. The “ugly” is that many of these accusations are unfounded and not based in science, and can blur the lines between personal preference and … [Read more...]
Misinformation about Triclosan
March 24, 2014
"Editorial Counterpoint: Misinformation Fuels Fears about Triclosan," By Paul Deleo. The Star Tribune’s March 11 editorial supporting state legislation to ban the ingredient triclosan — found in a number of antibacterial soaps and body washes — contributes to a parade of misinformation and distortion that we have sadly seen in Minnesota as of late. Triclosan is the most reviewed and researched active ingredient used in antibacterial soaps and body washes. Antibacterial wash products with … [Read more...]
Foolish Attack on Antibacterial Products
January 27, 2014
"The Green Campaign against Triclosan is Dangerous and Regressive," By Angela Logomasini. Environmental activists have sounded the alarm suggesting that consumers face serious health risks from the antibacterial chemical triclosan, which manufacturers have safely used in soap and other personal care products for decades. Unfortunately, green hype has led federal regulators to force companies to try to do the impossible—prove that their products pose no risk or remove them from the market. But … [Read more...]
Dangers Associated with Potential Ban on Anti-Bacterial Soap and Gels
January 27, 2014
"Immune Compromised Patients Will Suffer from Anti-Bacterial Soap Ban," By Angela Logomasini. Many people with compromised immune systems use antibacterial soaps and gels, particularly when they’re on the go, to reduce health risks. But environmentalists have launched a campaign to ban triclosan, the active ingredient in these soaps. That action would do nothing for public health while thwarting consumer access to helpful products. These anti-chemical groups have so demonized triclosan by … [Read more...]
Federal Regulators Inquire about Antibacterial Soap
January 6, 2014
"What’s in That Soap? Inquiring Federal Regulators Want to Know," by American Council on Science and Health. The FDA, after years of evading activist and scientific inquiries into the actual benefits and risks of certain chemicals in “antibacterial” soaps, has finally taken action, demanding data showing efficacy and safety of these ingredients (this has nothing to do with hand sanitizers, by the way). The issues involved here are, however, more complex than it seems at first glance. As for … [Read more...]
Green Attacks on Consumer Choice
September 16, 2013
"Green Market Pressure Takes Toll on Consumer Choice," by Angela Logomasini. When environmentalists don’t have the political power to regulate away consumer choice, they sometimes can get industry to do the job for them. Most recently, Proctor and Gamble (P&G) has decided to phase out the chemical triclosan, which has been used in a wide range of soap products to reduce risks from bacteria. P&G’s announcement follows other dumb triclosan phase outs that Colgate Palmolive (2011) and … [Read more...]
Triclosan and Pregnancy
June 12, 2013
"Should Moms be Afraid to Wash their Hands?" by Angela Logomasini. I came across a comment on Babycenter.com where one expectant mom asks: “How should I wash my hands?” Her question is prompted by one of the latest green scares, this one about anti-bacterial soap, which uses the chemical triclosan. My advice: wash your hands and don’t worry about it! Washing your hands with soaps that contain triclosan or other chemicals will do more good than any alleged harm activists can dream up! Read … [Read more...]
Triclosan, NRDC and FDA Review
May 14, 2013
"'Shocking' Truth about Government and Soap," by Angela Logomasini. Is your hand wash slowly killing you as government regulators sit idly by? Sounds silly, but that’s what environmentalists seem to think about an antibacterial agent called triclosan, which is used in soap and other consumer products. According to the NRDC: “In laboratory studies, they [antibacterial chemicals] have been shown to disrupt hormones and can encourage the growth of drug-resistant bacteria or ‘superbugs.’” The … [Read more...]
Regulatory Inertia & Triclosan
May 9, 2013
"The EPA Opens a New Review of Handsoap, But Government Study Goes on for Decades," by Paul Alexander. In Washington, the Wheels of Government Grind Slowly -- When they Grind at All. One area of government habitually plagued by bureaucracy is the regulatory agencies, among them the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration. Reviews of substances regulated by these agencies can take years, sometimes many years. Few reviews have lasted longer than the one afforded a … [Read more...]
