THE TRUE PRICE OF YOUR HAND SOAP,SANITIZERS,ANTIBACTERIAL PRODUCTS;ARE YOUR PRODUCTS SAFE?

[wersmith7]

 

Thursday, July 16, 2009

The True Price of Your Hand Soap

The swine flu has you freaked out, so you're carrying around a bottle of hand sanitizer and washing every chance you get. Or, you're a parent who's concerned about the health of your child, so you've stocked the house with antibacterial everything, just in case. You're not trying to hurt anyone - just protect yourself and your family - but using those antibacterial products is quite likely causing harm to yourself, others, animals and the planet.

If you're washing your hands with antibacterial soap, then you're probably contributing to poisoning dolphins, according to a new study. The report reveals that Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in areas around Florida and South Carolina whose blood was tested were discovered to have accumulations of triclosan in their blood. Triclosan is an additive common in hand soaps, deodorants and other personal care products. It's also added to products such as toys, socks, garbage bags and cutting boards as a measure "to curb the growth of bacteria." According to the report, the triclosan enters waterways mainly from home sinks in locations where the water is treated and then released into water bodies.

Triclosan is also considered a hazard by many health and environmental groups, as well as by some government agencies. For example, The Environmental Working Group's cosmetic safety database rates triclosan as a high hazard, with potential ties to cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and bioaccumulation concerns. They offer a guide to triclosan and suggestions for avoiding it. The group Food and Water Watch also recommends avoiding triclosan and offers a fact sheet outlining its dangers to humans and the environment. According to EWG, the use of triclosan is restricted in Japan and Canada, and the European Union has classified it as an irritant.

The Daily Green just reported yesterday that several groups, from Food and Water Watch to Beyond Pesticides are petitioning the FDA to ban the use of triclosan in consumer products.

These reports about triclosan serve as great reminders that all our choices have consequences, and some of them can be extremely negative, as well as far from the realm of our daily notice. All the more reason for us to pay attention to the impact of our choices and to work to make choices that do the most good and least harm for all.

~ Marsha

Image courtesy of butkaj.com via Creative Commons.

Posted by IHE Staff at 5:00 AM ShareThis

Labels: accurate information, additives, animal protection, cosmetics, critical thinking, dolphins, environmental protection, health issues, MOGO choices, personal care products, soaps

 

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Humane Connection offers insights, ideas, tools and resources for educators, activists, parents and concerned citizens wanting to help positively transform the world by educating others about the interconnectedness of human rights, animal protection, environmental preservation and media & culture, and by making choices that do the most good and least harm for all people, animals and the planet.

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OUR ALTERNATIVE:  GO FREE GO GREEN PRODUCTS

 

[Denise811]

Jul. 23, 2009 at 8:57 PM

Nice article!

[wersmith7]

Jul. 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM

I was really enlightened by it.  We use so many products every day without even thinking about what is in them, what they are doing not only to us, but our children and our whole planet, including every living creature on our planet.  What we do and use affects the whole world, not just us. 

In all of my searching and researching, I have found out that the U.S. is still allowing so many chemicals, products to be used that other countries have banned.  Shameful!!!  We are supposed to be By The People, For The People?????

 

(Original Poster)