Triclosan

                            Contributed by Bruce Timpany

Triclosan is a commonly used antibacterial compound in most detergents, dishwashing soaps and hand soaps. Virtually all cleaning solutions labeled as “antibacterial” contains triclosan. But did you know triclosan is also an aggressive agent that promotes the growth of drug-resistant bacteria? Because we are using a lot of antibacterial products all the time, some forms of bacteria have become immune to common household antibacterial agents we use. These microbes have developed resistance not just to household cleaning agents but also real antibiotics we take when we’re sick! And because triclosan ends up being washed down into the rivers and streams, triclosan levels in our water have become alarmingly high! Clinical tests show that triclosan is linked to the disruption of endocrine function and is likely a carcinogenic compound