[Pharmwaste] triclosan article

[Tenace, Laurie]

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/living/12190929038
1270.xml&coll=7&thispage=1
First page of a four page article - Laurie

Antibacterial battle
Triclosan, the bacteria-zapping chemical found in a variety of products, is
effective. But is it really needed to keep things clean?

Wednesday, August 20, 2008 CARRIE NUGENTThe Oregonian Staff
Dish soap. Conveyor belts. Toothpaste. Socks. Deodorant. Latex paint. 

You can buy "antibacterial" versions of plenty of products, all imbued with
triclosan, the chemical that provides the bacteria-killing muscle. Classified
as a pesticide, triclosan kills good and bad bacteria indiscriminately.
That's just one of several concerns and controversies surrounding the
man-made chemical: 

It lingers in the environment. 

Shoppers might not know when they've bought antibacterial products because
it's not always clear what is or isn't. 

What does it mean that it's in so many household products? 

Studies show that for household needs, regular soap and water fight bacteria
just fine, so why use it? 

Manufacturers maintain it is innocuous -- unless you are bacteria. Opponents
worry about its health effects and that widespread use will breed resistant
bacteria. 

Triclosan, initially intended for medical settings, isn't the only
antibacterial chemical -- its cousin, triclocarban, also is used sometimes.
Of course, not all products have these chemicals added. 

To help shoppers choose more wisely, we sort out what's known. 

CLAIM: Antibacterial soaps get things cleaner 

- more at the link!


Laurie J. Tenace
Environmental Specialist
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 4555
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
PH: (850) 245-8759
FAX: (850) 245-8811
Laurie.Tenace at dep.state.fl.us 

Mercury web pages:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm

Unwanted Medications web pages:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/medications/default.htm




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