Hundreds
of scientists call for caution on anti-microbial
chemical use
Read earlier story on Triclosan's
rising levels in kids.
Two ingredients used
in thousands of products to kill bacteria, fungi and viruses linger in the
environment and pose a risk to human health, according to a statement released
today by more than 200 scientists and health professionals.
The scientists say the
possible benefits in most uses of triclosan and triclocarban—used in some
soaps, toothpastes, detergents, paints, carpets—are not worth the risk.
The statement, published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal,
urges “the international community to limit the production and use of triclosan
and triclocarban and to question the use of other antimicrobials.”
They also call for
warning labels on any product containing triclosan and triclocarban and for
bolstered research of the chemicals' environmental toll.
The statement says evidence that the compounds are accumulating in water, land, wildlife and humans is sufficient to merit action.
“We want to draw
attention to the increasing use of antimicrobials in a lot of products,” said
Dr. Ted Schettler, science director of the Science and Environmental Health
Network and one of the signatories of the statement. “Triclosan and
triclocarban rose to the top because they’ve been in use for so long and
exposures are so widespread.”
The chemicals are used
to kills microbes such as bacteria and viruses that make people ill.
However, both
chemicals affect animals’ hormone systems, causing reproductive and development
problems. And there is nascent evidence that the impacts may extend to
humans as well—having been linked to reduced growth of fetuses, earlier births,
and lower head circumference in boys at birth.
The compounds are used
in an estimated 2,000 products but are being phased out of some uses. In
February the EU banned triclosan in hygiene products. U.S. manufacturers are
phasing out triclosan from hand soaps after the Food and Drug Administration
banned it last year amid concerns that the compound disrupted the body's
hormone systems.
The FDA noted in the
restriction that antibacterial hand soaps were no more effective than
non-antibacterial soap and water at preventing illness.
“Triclosan and
triclocarban have been permitted for years without definitive proof they’re
providing benefits,” said Avery Lindeman, deputy director of the Green Policy
Institute and one of the signatories of the statement. The compounds, he added,
serve as little more than a “marketing ploy” for many products, such as
antimicrobial cutting boards and socks.
Despite soap bans,
triclosan remains in Colgate Total toothpaste,
some cleaning products and cosmetics. More worrisome, Lindeman
said some manufactures of personal care products are simply substituting other
antimicrobials for triclosan—some of which may pose the same risks to people
and the environment.
Triclosan and
triclocarban also show up in odd places, such as building products, Schettler
said. “Some building materials are subject to microbial degradation, attacked
by things like fungi that break them down, so manufacturers will put
antimicrobials in there to reduce the risk,” he said.
Because of the
widespread use, most people have some levels of triclosan in them. A 2008 study
of U.S. residents found it in the urine of about 75 percent of people tested.
Once the compounds get
into the environment, they don’t readily go away. Researchers have
detected triclosan and triclocarban in water and sediment all over the
world—including drinking water, oceans and streams. The U.S. Geological Survey found
triclosan in 60 percent of U.S. streams. Studies have shown triclosan toxic to
some algae, fish and other crustaceans.
The compounds impact
hormones in animal studies. And there’s evidence that they may do the same to
developing babies. Properly functioning hormones are critical for babies’
proper development.
Last month Brown
University researchers reported that mothers’ triclosan exposure during
pregnancy was linked to lower birth weights, smaller heads and earlier
births. They also found that as the children aged, triclosan levels
spiked after they brush their teeth or wash their hands.
In addition to
endocrine disruption concerns, Lindeman and other signers outline two other
potential human health impacts from exposure to triclosan: heightened
sensitivity to allergens, and antibiotic resistance.
Large studies of
children in the United States and Norway have linked triclosan to allergies and worsening asthma.
And there is evidence bacteria that develop resistance to triclosan also become resistant to other antibacterial
compounds.
Companies such as
Colgate have defended triclosan use. The American Chemistry Council, which
represents chemical manufacturers, declined to comment on the statement.
The authors of the
statement recognize the need for antimicrobials and didn’t call for a total
ban, Schettler said. Toothpastes with triclosan can help people with gum
disease and in hospitals it is crucial to have such germ-killing soaps for
pre-surgery and to use around people with immune system problems, he said.
But the everyday use
could be curbed, he added, and the hope is the statement starts a broader
conversation.
“Whether it will have
an influence on the policy level remains to be seen, but a lot can come
together through consumer interest and concerns causing manufacturers to slowly
shift directions,” Schettler said.
For questions or
feedback about this piece, contact Brian Bienkowski at bbienkowski@ehn.org.