One U.S. state’s move to ban the chemical agent found in most antibacterial hand soaps is giving new hope to health and environmental groups in Canada who’ve been calling for years for it to be outlawed.
Minnesota is the first state to approve a ban on triclosan, citing concerns about dangers to human health and the environment. According to the United States’ Food and Drug Administration, the ingredient is found in three-quarters of antibacterial soaps as well as body washes, toothpastes and some cosmetics.
The ban came as “really exciting” news to Lisa Gue, a researcher and analyst with the Vancouver-based David Suzuki Foundation.
“I hope that will send a signal to Canadian regulators to take similar action,” she said.
“This is a chemical that has been proposed to be listed as toxic under Canada’s environmental law because it’s highly toxic to fish. There are also health concerns; there are concerns about it interrupting hormone function.”
1,600 cosmetics currently sold in Canada contain triclosan, according to Health Canada. It can also be found in a huge range of household products, including deodorants, mouthwash, laundry detergent, facial tissues and some first aid antiseptics.
In an email to The Sun, Health Canada said the government is “already taking action regarding triclosan, the active ingredient in most antibacterial soaps.”
The substance is being assessed under the federal government’s chemical management plan, and steps may be taken to reduce its release into the environment, where it is known to harm freshwater plants and animals, according to the federal department. Government officials have also promised to discuss voluntary reductions in the use of triclosan with industry representatives.
A preliminary review by Environment Canada and Health Canada in 2012 found that the chemical isn’t hazardous to human health at current exposure levels.
However, new studies are proving otherwise, says Maggie MacDonald, the toxic program manager at Environmental Defence, a Canadian environmental non-profit.
“Most recently, and this is especially upsetting, a study came out just a few weeks ago that looked at the link between triclosan exposure and breast cancer cells, and there’s some evidence that it can be linked to the promotion of breast cancer cell growth,” said MacDonald.
She pointed out that triclosan breaks down into toxic dioxins when it’s exposed to sunlight, and can react with the chlorine in tap water to form chloroform, a known carcinogen.
There are also concerns that use of triclosan could lead to the evolution of antibiotic-resistant and antimicrobial-resistant superbugs. It’s for this reason that the Canadian Medical Association called for a ban on all household antibacterial products in 2010.
In one alarming case in 2012, dangerous bacteria were discovered within an triclosan-based soap. Certain antimicrobial foaming hand soaps produced by Avmor were recalled after Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria was detected; the microbe can cause serious infections in people with weakened immune systems.
MacDonald said it’s upsetting that triclosan is so common, when studies have shown that washing hands with soap and water is just as effective at killing bacteria.
“It’s a kind of snake oil. It’s put into products so the products can be marketed as antibacterial to make people feel safe and secure,” MacDonald said.
“We believe that this chemical has no place in our homes and in our products.”
Indeed, Health Canada said antibacterial soaps are “not necessary for safe, effective hand hygiene.” The government body instead recommends washing hand frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and use alcohol-based sanitizers when soap is not available.
The hand sanitizers that are common in the halls of Vancouver-area hospitals are alcohol-based and do not contain triclosan, according to Vancouver Coastal Health. For consumers who want to avoid this chemical, the David Suzuki Foundation has produced a downloadable guide to be used while shopping for cosmetics.