Minnesota bans Triclosan Antibacterial in personal care products

There is rarely if ever the need to use antibacterial agents in everyday hand washing. Yet over the past decade, there has been a rapid increase in the use of antibacterial agents in consumer products, particularly soaps and hand sanitizers. Now, the controversial antibacterial/antimicrobial pesticide triclosan has been banned from consumer personal care in the state of Minnesota by an act of the state legislature.

These policy changes in Minnesota come after a recent study showed triclosan toxicants accumulating in the bottom of lakes and rivers in Minnesota. Scientists tested eight sediment samples from freshwater lakes across Minnesota, including Lake Superior and found triclosan in all of the sediment tested.

The 2003 study published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) has found triclosan to be present in the urine of 75% of the U.S. population, with concentrations that have increased by 50% since 2004. Triclosan is an endocrine disruptor and has been shown to affect male and female reproductive hormones and possibly fetal development. It is also shown to alter thyroid function

Unaffected by this legislation are the extensive triclosan uses, under the name Microban, in a wide range of consumer products made of plastic and textiles, from hair brushes, cutting boards, computer keyboard to socks and underwear. (FDA has oversight over cosmetic (personal care cleaning) products containing triclosan and EPA has jurisdiction over non-cosmetic consumer products.)

Read more here at BeyondPesticides.com

[If you are concerned about germs, consider using our Bandit’s Oil Foaming Hand Soap, (formally know as Thieves Oil) which contains Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Lemon essential oils, all known for their strong natural antibacterial properties (not to mention they smell great!) All the ingredients in Bandit’s Oil are highly biodegradable and won’t accumulate in the environment like triclosan!]