[Pharmwaste] Triclosan: Is Bath & Body Works' new soap harmful to teens?

[DeBiasi, Deborah (DEQ)]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/07/bath-and-body-works-s
ummertime-scent-pesticides-triclosan-lotion-soap-toxic-chemical-cosmetic
s.html

Triclosan: Is Bath & Body Works' new soap harmful to teens?
July 18, 2011 |  7:27 pm 
  

 
<http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef015433d1f3d9970c-p
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Health and environmental groups have mounted a campaign against Bath &
Body Works, urging the retailer to stop selling its line of "Summertime
Scent" soaps that contain triclosan, a chemical categorized as a
pesticide.
Scientific studies have linked triclosan to hormone disruption, which
could be hazardous to teenagers whose bodies are still developing.
"A chemical like triclosan that can disrupt hormones and may affect
fetal growth and development does not belong in our soap," said Lisa
Archer, director of the San Francisco-based Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
at the Breast Cancer Fund. "Studies show that triclosan is no more
effective at preventing illness or removing germs than soap and water."
The line, which includes products with names like "Tangelo Orange Twist"
and "Sugar Lemon Fizz," is marketed to teenagers using the slogan
"spread love, not germs."
According to the Breast Cancer Fund, major companies, including Johnson
& Johnson, L'Oreal, The Body Shop, and Staples, are either no longer
using the chemical or are phasing it out of products. Colgate-Palmolive
has eliminated triclosan from its dishwashing liquids and Softsoap hand
soaps, but continues to use the chemical in Total brand toothpaste.
"Thanks to the companies that are recognizing it is unwise and
unnecessary to expose their customers to triclosan, the market is
starting to move away from this hazardous chemical. But we are
disappointed that companies like Bath & Body Works continue to sell
products containing this toxic chemical, especially those marketed to
teenagers," Archer said. 
Despite its widespread use as a germ-killer in consumer products, the
Food and Drug Administration says that triclosan is no more effective
<http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm205999.htm>  than
soap and water at preventing illness or eliminating germs. The
Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates pesticides, is updating
<http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/triclosan_fs.htm>  its 2008
assessment of triclosan based on new science showing thyroid and
estrogen effects.
Triclosan has been linked to the emergence of bacteria-resistant
antibiotics. The chemical, which is poisonous to aquatic life, has also
polluted lakes and rivers.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, along with the Center for Environmental
Health, sent an alert last week to tens of thousands of supporters,
demanding that Bath & Body Works eliminate triclosan from their
products. 
Some 2,500 consumers have signed the campaign's Triclosan-Free Pledge,
agreeing not to buy products containing the chemical. The campaign said
more than 7,000 have people sent messages to EPA Administrator Lisa
Jackson urging the agency to take action to protect people from
triclosan exposure. 
The anti-triclosan coalition includes more than 150 nonprofit
organizations, including Clean Water Action, the Breast Cancer Fund,
Commonweal, Environmental Working Group, Friends of the Earth,
Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition and Women's Voices for the Earth.
Bath & Body Works did not respond to inquiries.



Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit and Compliance Assistance Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Program
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents 
www.deq.virginia.gov/vpdes/microconstituents.html
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028      FAX:      804-698-4032


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