lawsuit over antibacterial soaps

FDA Sued Over Thyroid-Damaging Toxins in Antibacterial Soap
Thursday August 19, 2010

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has announced that it is suing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), alleging that the FDA has failed to regular toxic chemicals that are found in antibacterial soaps and other toiletry products. According to the NRDC, two toxins -- triclosan and triclocarban -- act as endocrine disruptors, damaging reproductive organs, affecting the quality of sperm and interfering with the production of thyroid and reproductive hormones.
According to the FDA, triclosan safety is currently being reviewed, but the agency says there is no evidence that these products are dangerous.

At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently released data showing that levels of triclosan have increased in humans by an average of 50 percent since 2004. And a new study has shown that both triclosan and triclocarban can enter the food chain through via contaminated wastewater or fertilizer used in agriculture.

For more information, see the NRDC's handout on regulation of antimicrobials in everyday products (PDF) and Antibacterials Q&A on the Hazards of Hormone Disrupting Hand Cleaners.
Sources:

Triclosan Exposure Levels Increasing in Humans, New Data Shows Potential for Food Contamination Online

NRDC sues FDA for 30 year delay in regulating antimicrobials Online

August 20, 2010 at 6:53 am(1) Janet says:

And it's not just in soap, but some clothing and children's toys, too. This site has a good list of products containing these chemicals:
http://www.drbenkim .com/articles/ triclosan- products. htmI have added the information from that link here:

Products That Contain Triclosan - Posted By Dr. Ben Kim on Nov 29, 2006

Health Warnings
If you are not yet aware of the potential dangers of triclosan, you should know that this antibacterial agent has been strongly linked to the following effects on human health:
* Abnormalities with the endocrine system, particularly with thyroid hormone signaling
* Weakening of the immune system
* Birth defects
* Uncontrolled cell growth
* Unhealthy weight loss
Although triclosan is best known for its presence in many brands of antibacterial soap, it is also found in a wide variety of personal care and household products. According to BeyondPesticides. org, triclosan is found in the following products:
Soaps:
* Dial® Liquid Soap
* Softsoap® Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
* Tea Tree Therapy Liquid Soap
* Provon® Soap
* Clearasil® Daily Face Wash
* Dermatologica® Skin Purifying Wipes
* Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser
* DermaKleen Antibacterial Lotion Soap
* Naturade Aloe Vera 80® Antibacterial Soap
* CVS Antibacterial Soap
* pHisoderm Antibacterial Skin Cleanser
Dental Care:
* Colgate Total®; Breeze Triclosan Mouthwash
* Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush
* Janina Diamond Whitening Toothpaste
Cosmetics:
* Supre® Café Bronzer
* TotalSkinCare Makeup Kit
* Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation
* Mavala Lip Base
* Jason Natural Cosmetics Lord, how I hate it when companies use the term "natural" to try and fool us!
* Blemish Cover Stick
* Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ
* Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb
* Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss
* Dazzle
Deodorant:
* Old Spice High Endurance Stick Deodorant
* Right Guard Sport Deodorant
* Queen Helene® Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant
* DeCleor Deodorant Stick
* Epoch® Deodorant with Citrisomes
* X Air Maximum Strength Deodorant
Other Personal Care Products:
* Gillette® Complete Skin Care MultiGel Aerosol Shave Gel
* Murad Acne Complex® Kit®
* Diabet-x Cream
* T.Taio sponges and wipes
* Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel
First Aid:
* SyDERMA® Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic
* Solarcaine®
* First Aid Medicated Spray;
Nexcare First Aid...
* Skin Crack Care
* First Aid/Burn Cream
* HealWell® Night Splint
* 11-1X1: Universal Cervical Collar with Microban
Kitchenware:
* Farberware® Microban Steakknife Set and Cutting Boards
* Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban
* Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer
* Chix® Food Service Wipes with Microban
* Compact Web Foot® Wet Mop Heads
Computer Equipment:
* Fellowes Cordless Microban Keyboard and Microban Mouse Pad
Clothes:
* Merrell Shoes
* Sabatier Chef's Apron
* Dickies Socks
* Fruit of the Loom Socks Please note
* Biofresh® Socks
Children's Toys:
* Playskool® :
o Stack 'n Scoop Whale
o Rockin' Radio
o Hourglass
o Sounds Around Driver
o Roll 'n' Rattle Ball
o Animal Sounds Phone
o Busy Beads Pal
o Pop 'n' Spin Top
o Lights 'n' Surprise Laptop
Other:
* Bionare® Cool Mist Humidifier
* Microban® All Weather Reinforced Hose
* Thomasville® Furniture
* Deciguard AB Ear Plugs
* Bauer® 5000 Helmet
* Aquatic Whirlpools
* Miller Paint Interior Paint
* QVC® Collapsible 40-Can Cooler
* Holmes Foot Buddy Foot Warmer
* Blue Mountain Wall Coverings
* California Paints®
* EHC AMRail Escalator Handrails
* Dupontâ"¢ Air Filters
* Durelleâ"¢ Carpet Cushions
* Advanta One Laminate Floors
* San Luis Blankets
* J Cloth® towels
* JERMEX mops

Source: BeyondPesticides. org