You can read Part 1 here.
I believe we have been duped as a society when it comes to products that are being sold to us on the shelves of any store especially when it pertains to our health. We seem to believe every slogan, commercial or ad plastered in front of us. And if companies state that something is good for us and our families, they must be telling the truth... right?
What if I told you there is a toxic chemical that is probably in most of our homes... something we use on or in our bodies every day? It is a substance that can be found in deodorants, soaps, clothing, toothpastes and even on children's toys and yet is a known carcinogen and disruptor of our body's hormone system. In fact, Japan and Canada have banned it's use and Europe, Denmark, Finland and Germany's government warn that it is a dangerous irritant and toxic chemical. Feeling a little duped yet?
This chemical is called Triclosan. Invented in the 1960's for use only in surgical settings in hospitals. It is a chemical that kills germs and is labeled as an antimicrobial or pesticide.... PESTICIDE.
It is most popularly used in anti-bacterial hand soaps. (Yep, the fun, cute store in the mall that sells tons of anti-bacterial stuff comes to mind!) Triclosan is also found in Colgate Total toothpaste, Right Guard Sports deodorant and other products that claim it is "antibacterial". It is also used in fabrics, some toys and school supplies under the name Microban.
Along with the risk of antibacterial resistance, the other potential dangers of using Triclosan include the following taken from an article from the Care2 website,
The increased use of antibacterials in general has been linked to increased allergies in children. Further studies specific to triclosan have shown that it affects reproduction in lab animals, produces toxic chemicals such as dioxin and chloroform when it reacts with other chemicals like the chlorine in water, irritates skin in humans and might even cause cancer. New laboratory studies on rats and frogs show that triclosan can disrupt thyroid hormone, alter development and impair important functions at the cellular level. And a study by British researchers found that triclosan has estrogenic and androgenic hormone properties and exposure could potentially contribute to the development of breast cancer.Interestingly, in 2005 the FDA voted 11 to 1 that products containing Triclosan were no more effective in killing germs than using regular soap and water. In my opinion, it just makes sense to use things that are closest to nature or natural without the use of chemicals. So the bottom line is choose hand and dish soaps and other products that are without Triclosan.
Being healthy means being vigilant to what we come in contact to whether it be our food, hygiene and cleaning products, clothing and toys. I know change is not always easy or fun, but baby steps are good and definitely make a difference.
Below is a list of products that contain Triclosan, all of which you should avoid:
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
* 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
* Nature De France Le Stick Natural Stick 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
* 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
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