Resolution - 2008.02 Submitted by: Manitoba Provincial Council Whereas, The chemical triclosan, an active antibacterial ingredient first used in hospitals, is now so widely used in household and commercial products that it poses a risk to the health of humans and the environment; and Whereas, Studies have linked triclosan to a variety of human health concerns including the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria; and Whereas, The inability of the sewage treatment process to break down triclosan has resulted in contamination of waterways, toxicity to algae, and alterations in the development of aquatic wildlife; and Whereas, There are effective alternatives to antibacterial cleaning products for use in homes and public places; therefore, be it Resolved, That the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada, in 88th annual national convention assembled, urge the federal government to:
The chemical triclosan is an active antibacterial ingredient that was first used in hospitals to prevent the spread of infection. It is now so widely used in many household and commercial products that it poses a risk to the health of humans and the environment. The chemical triclosan, marketed under the brand names Microban and Irgasan, is classed as a pesticide in some countries. This manmade substance was introduced into health care settings in the early 1970s to protect vulnerable patients from infections. Its use has been extended so widely that it is now used as a preservative, antiseptic and disinfectant in hundreds of different products. Cosmetics, soaps, dish-washing liquids, deodorants, dental care products, shaving gels, children's toys, kitchenware such as knives and cutting boards, computer supplies, fabrics, footwear, and home first-aid supplies are some of the products containing this chemical (Environmental Working Group, p. 1 ). Although triclosan is not toxic in small quantities, its cumulative effects are focussed and long-lasting. Exposure to triclosan has resulted in skin irritations, rashes and sensitivity to sunlight, and studies have linked it to thyroid dysfunction, underdevelopment of children's immune systems, allergies and asthma. Excessive use of triclosan is a suspected factor in the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (Levy, p. 1). Tests have shown that there are few, if any, benefits from the use of antibacterial products; in fact, they destroy the good bacteria that are a vital part of the environment. Washing with regular soap and water and using the many available safe products are sufficient to maintain a clean, healthy household and workplace. Many European countries have urged consumers not to use antibacterial household and personal hygiene products in light of the growing risks to microbial populations. Canada has restricted the use of triclosan in cosmetics only. Triclosan easily enters cell membranes. It renders an essential cellular enzyme unable to continue its normal fatty acid biosynthesis. In this way, the growth of the bacteria is stopped. This is good, except that bacteria are known to mutate and rapidly change their gene structures. Alarmingly, studies have found the mutant (or newly formed bacteria) required 100 times more triclosan to show even a minimal inhibition of the growth process (Levy, p. 2). Furthermore, triclosan reacts with chlorine in tap water and transforms into dioxins upon exposure to UV radiation (sunlight). Dioxins are a family of compounds of ranging toxicity, some of which act as endocrine disrupters that are eliminated very slowly from the body and remain stored in the environment for a long time. Health concerns linked to dioxins include decreased fertility, altered sex hormones, miscarriages, birth defects and possibly cancer (Glaser, Common , pp. 2?3 ). Over 95 per cent of the products containing triclosan are disposed of in drains. Sewage treatment plants cannot remove all triclosan from water which results in reported damage to aquatic wildlife and the placing of aquatic ecosystems at risk (Glaser, Ubiquitous, p. 14 ). This, combined with the dioxin transformation, poses a risk to the terrestrial environment through the spreading of sewage sludge on land. While the use of triclosan in health care facilities effectively protects vulnerable patients from infections, its use in products outside of the health care setting must be regulated to prevent adverse effects to the health of humans and the environment.
REFERENCES Environmental Working Group/Commonweal. Triclosan. (Human Toxome Project.) http://www.bodyburden.org/chemicals/chemical.php?chemid=100376. Glaser, Aviva. Common Antibacterial Soaps Threaten Children's Health and Offer No Added Protection From Bacteria. http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/10-04/triclosan-article.htm. Glaser, Aviva. The Ubiquitous Triclosan. Pesticides and You, 24(3):12-17, 2004. http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticides/factsheets/Triclosan%20cited.pdf. Levy, Stuart B. Antibacterial Household Products: Cause for Concern. Emerging Infectious Diseases (CDC), 7(3 Supplement), June 2001. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/ vol7no3_supp/levy.htm. McGhee, M. Angela. Triclosan. http://www.health-report.co.uk/triclosan.html. McMurry, Laura M., Margret Oethinger and Stuart B. Levy. Triclosan targets lipid synthesis. Nature, 394:531-532, August 6, 1998. Senese, Fred. What are triclocarban and triclosan (ingredients in some antiseptic soaps)? General Chemistry Online. http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/consumer/faq/triclosan.shtml. July 31, 2007. Veldhoen, Nik, et al. The bactericidal agent triclosan modulates thyroid hormone-associated gene expression and disrupts postembryonic anuran development. Aquatic Toxicology, 80(3):217-227, 2006. VKM Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety. Risk assessment on the use of triclosan in cosmetics (04-406-18 final). http://www.vkm.no/dav/c74a79a63a.pdf. January 31, 2005.
Requested Members' Action:
|
