 Email this article to a friend  Printable Version FREE Email Newsletter
Triclosan, widely used as an antibacterial ingredient in household hand sterilization products, breaks down rapidly when exposed to chlorinated water and produces toxic chemicals including chloroform, according to a study published on the Environmental Science & Technology research website As Soon As Publishable (ASAP), suggesting that many antibacterial products may not only be ineffective, but harmful.
Jump directly to: conventional view | alternative view | resources | bottom line
What you need to know - Conventional View• A previous study demonstrated that pure triclosan reacts with free chlorine to produce chloroform, a toxic chemical and probable carcinogen.
• This 2005 study led to the removal of all triclosan-containing products from the British chain Marks & Spencer, as well as all triclosan-containing toothpaste from stores in China.
• In the new study, the same researchers from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University tested 16 household products, including lotions, soaps and body washes. All the products containing triclosan produced either chloroform or other chlorine byproducts when exposed to tap water.
• The researchers found that people using these products would be exposed to chloroform levels 40 percent higher than that found in tap water.
• Triclosan decomposes into chlorine byproducts in as little as one minute when exposed to chlorinated water at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature commonly reached in household use. This led the researchers to question whether triclosan-containing soaps even provide the purported anti-bacterial benefit.
• Quote: "At fairly low levels of chlorine, the triclosan degrades rapidly [into chlorine byproducts]." - Researcher Peter Vikesland
What you need to know - Alternative ViewStatements and opinions by Mike Adams, executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center
• What this groundbreaking study reveals is that antibacterial products containing triclosan are a hoax. This chemical is proving to be a real threat to human health, and that doesn't even include the fact that it can accelerate the breeding of antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
• I strongly advise consumers to avoid purchasing antibacterial products made with triclosan. Use natural products containing tea tree oil or other herbal ingredients that are naturally antibacterial.
Resources you need to know• Worldwatch Institute page on triclosan: http://www.worldwatch.org/node/1501
Bottom line• Antibacterial ingredient triclosan degrades rapidly when exposed to chlorinated tap water, producing potentially toxic byproducts.
Get articles like this delivered to you FREE in our popular email newsletter
|
(FREE) Thursday evening, Feb. 11 at 6pm Pacific (9pm Eastern), call in to hear the NaturalNews Talk Hour with our special guest John Roulac, Founder of Nutiva. This special show "Superfood Nutrition: Discover the NEWest Trends" will reveal delicious ways to enjoy life. Register via email to receive call-in details:
|
|
Explore NaturalPedia.com, the internet's largest natural health encyclopedia of knowledge, covering over 50,000 topics. It's free!
Visit NaturalPedia.com.
|
 NEW Product: Valley of Longevity Shampoo from the Health Ranger
• 98% Organic
• 100% Natural
• 100% Fragrance Free!
• No SLS
• No Parabens
• No synthetic chemicals
• FREE shipping in U.S. on orders over $75
Click here to read more...
|
 FREE Report: The Five Best Anti-Viral Products to Beat Influenza, Swine Flu, Bird Flu and SARS
• Top anti-viral remedies
• Where to get them now
• Four things to avoid
• Become self-reliant
• Boost your family safety
Click here to read the FREE report now.
|
|
|
Email this article to a friend
Share this article on: 
