The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced it is reviewing the safety of triclosan, the active ingredient in many antibacterial soaps and body washes. This follows the December 10th release of the Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report provided an extensive look at 75 chemicals that had not been previously measured in the US population. Triclosan, characterized in the report as an “endocrine disruptor” was among the materials present in blood or urine samples from the 2400 study participants. While industry trade groups point out that the mere presence of environmental chemicals in blood or urine is not necessarily cause for health concerns, it is eerily similar to the situation that caused the demise of the material triclosan replaced, hexachlorophene.
Some will remember the trade name pHisoHex, a highly effective over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial skin cleanser available in the 1960’s. In 1969, hexachlorophene was suspected as being a carcinogen. pHisoHex and several OTC antibacterials for treating acne and other uses including surgical scrubs were withdrawn from the market. Later studies cast doubt on the original classification of hexachlorophene as a carcinogen but the damage was done. Once FDA approval for an active ingredient has been withdrawn, it is all but impossible to undo the damage. Caution is advised if triclosan plays an important role in your product mix.
