Antibacterial Soap Ingredient Spells Trouble for Muscles

[donnay]

Antibacterial Soap Ingredient Spells Trouble for Muscles

Triclosan inhibited muscle function of human heart cells in test tubes

By Liam Carnahan, Newser Staff

(Newser) – If you're an antibacterial-soap junkie, it might be time to cut back. A three-part study suggests triclosan, a common chemical found in such products, slows muscle function in both human and animals. A paper published yesterday outlines the experiments: Scientists exposed human heart and skeletal muscle cells to levels of triclosan on par with what we typically encounter on a daily basis. An electrical stimulus was then applied to force the cells to contract—which should have happened immediately. But triclosan interfered with the proteins that enable this muscle function, leading to what Smithsonian Magazine describes as "failure." And that could spell trouble for people who have heart problems.

The study also turned to animals, and found that the grip strength in mice sank up to 18% after being exposed to one dose of triclosan; minnows who spent a week being exposed to the chemical couldn't swim as well. It's not just in soap, either. The ingredient is used in everything from toothpaste to bedding to cooking utensils. As the study's co-author explains, it "has become a ubiquitous 'value added' marketing factor that actually could be more harmful than helpful." Smithsonian notes that the FDA says that regular soap and water are equally as effective as antibacterial soaps containing triclosan; the FDA is currently reviewing the chemical.

[trey4sports]

that is my hand soap as well as dish soap.


That must be why i don't look like this

[donnay]

Natural antibacterial alternatives to triclosan & other toxic chemicals

Tuesday, June 19, 2012 by: Danna Norek

There are several chemicals used today in "antibacterial" personal care and hygiene products which are toxic to the human body. Perhaps the most toxic is one named triclosan. Triclosan is a controversial chemical linked to hormonal disruption and various types of cancer.

Its chemical structure is similar to Agent Orange. Agent Orange is a highly toxic herbicide that was notoriously used to kill foliage during the Vietnam War. It was later linked to high rates of birth defects, neurological conditions and cancer in those that came into contact with the chemical.

There are other chemicals as well which have questionable chemical profiles for human safety. Ethyl alcohol is a common ingredient in hand sanitizer. It is linked to reproductive toxicity, cancer and birth defects. Another antibacterial agent called Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC) is used in sanitizing products. It is linked to cancer, allergies and organ toxicity.

Essential oils
The good news is there are many natural alternatives to these chemicals that work just as well if not better as antiseptic cleansers. Most of these naturally antibacterial ingredients are essential oils. Essential oils are the "essence" of various plants that are distilled down into their purest form.

They often contain organisms that are very potent in fighting bacteria. Not only that, some of them also act as anti-fungal agents and even as natural antibiotics.

One such essential oil is that of the thyme plant. You may know this herb as a delicious way to season foods. However thyme has recently been proven to be an even more potent antibacterial agent than many chemicals commonly used in soaps and hand cleansers.

Another essential oil that has strong antibacterial properties is lavender. Lavender is mostly known as the "relaxing" oil and is often used to calm the nerves. It is often overlooked as an antibacterial agent. However it is indeed excellent for topical use on the skin due its rare dual ability to soothe and calm the skin while also killing bacteria.

Essential oils of rosemary and peppermint are also good antibacterial agents. Peppermint smells wonderful, but may be a bit harsh for use on human skin in large quantities. However it would be a good addition to a household cleaner.

Many of the citrus essential oils are excellent at killing bacteria. Essential oils or orange, lemon, lemongrass, grapefruit and lime all possess antibacterial properties and sometimes even anti-fungal or antiviral properties.

Common household items

There are several items most people would be able to find in their pantry at any given time that work well as antibacterial mechanisms. Most types of vinegar are great at killing surface bacteria. When diluted in water vinegar is gentle enough to use on most furniture and even may be used topically on the skin if desired.

Many find the smell of vinegar to be unpleasant. For this reason it is often recommended to not only dilute it with distilled or purified water but also to add some more fragrant essential oils.

Lemon juice is also an excellent natural antibacterial agent. Many use lemon juice in natural household cleaners. Lemon juice can also be a great part of a natural astringent for the skin when diluted down to a lower acidity.

Hot water is an often forgotten way to kill bacteria. It is the most simple, readily available way to help rid surfaces of bacteria and other surface contaminants. Of course, it can be used in conjunction with any of the other aforementioned ingredients to make an inexpensive yet potent natural antibacterial cleaner.

Sources for this article include:
http://toxiccosmetics.com
http://www.alive.com
http://www.enviroalternatives.com/ingredients.html

[donnay]

Products Containing Triclosan
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/anti...l/products.htm

Below is a small sampling of the thousands of products containing triclosan and is not to be considered a complete list.

Please note: A product's formula may change without notice. Due to public pressure, many companies are quietly taking triclosan out of their products Remember to always refer to product labels to determine whether triclosan is contained in your product.

Depending on the company that sells the chemical, triclosan can also appear in products branded Microban®, Irgasan® (DP 300 or PG 60), or on products labeled "built-in antimicrobial protection." Some antibacterial soaps use triclosan's cousin, triclocarban in place of triclosan.



Soap: Dial® Liquid handsoap and bodywash; Tea Tree Therapy™ Liquid Soap; Clearasil® Daily Face Wash; Dermalogica® Skin Purifying Wipes; Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser; DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap; CVS Antibacterial Soap, Ultra Concentrated Dawn Antibacterial Dishsoap, Kimcare Antibacterial Clear Soap, Bath and Body Works Antibacterial Hand Soaps, Gels and Foaming Sanitizers.

Dental Care: Colgate Total®; Breeze™ Daily Mouthwash; Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush

Cosmetics: Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation; Mavala Lip Base; Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ; Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb, Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss, Babor Volume Mascara, Phytomer Perfect Visage Gentle Cleansing Milk, Phytomer Hydracontinue Instant Moisture Cream, Bath and Body Works Antibacterial Moisturizing Lotions.

Deodorant: Queen Helene® Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant; DeCleor Deodorant Stick; Epoch® Deodorant with Citrisomes.

Other Personal Care Products: Murad Acne Complex® Kit, ®; Diabet-x™ Cream; Scunci Microban Comb, Sportslick Pocket Slick.

First Aid: SyDERMA® Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic; Solarcaine® First Aid Medicated Spray; Nexcare™ First Aid, Skin Crack Care; 11-1X1: Universal Cervical Collar with Microban, Brave Soldier Antiseptic Healing Ointment.

Kitchenware: Farberware® Microban Cutting Boards; Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban; Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer; Chix® Food Service Wipes with Microban; Compact Web Foot® Wet Mop Heads.

Computer Equipment: Fellowes Cordless Microban Keyboard and Microban Mouse Pad.

Clothes: Biofresh® socks.

Children's Toys: Playskool®: Stack 'n Scoop Whale, Rockin' Radio, Hourglass, Sounds Around Driver, Roll 'n Rattle Ball, Animal Sounds Phone, Busy Beads Pal, Pop 'n Spin Top, Lights 'n Surprise Laptop.

Other: Ticonderoga® Antibacterial pencil, Bionare® Cool Mist Humidifier; Deciguard AB Ear Plugs; Bauer® hockey helmets; Miller Paint Interior Paint; Holmes Foot Buddy™ Foot Warmer, Blue Mountain Wall Coverings, California Paints®, EHC AMRail Escalator Handrails, Dupont™ Air Filters, J Cloth® towels, select Quicke cleaning products, BioEars earplugs, Petmate® LeBistro feeders and waterers, Infantino cart covers and baby carriers, Oreck XL®, Bissell Healthy Home Vacuum™, NuTone® Central Vacuum systems, Rival® Seal-A-Meal® Vacuum Food Sealer, CleenFreek SportsHygiene Yoga Mat.

[donnay]

that is my hand soap as well as dish soap.


That must be why i don't look like this

Guess Arnold has been using too much Triclosan...

[Sola_Fide]

When I have the money, I always get Bronner's soap.

[Liberty74]

I stopped using triclosan in my hand soaps about 10 year ago. It kills the good bacteria on your hands that is needed. I won't even use the soap at work. Instead I rinse well with water and I'll wash my hands at home. Seventh Generation makes a good citrus hand wash. It's inexpensive and can be found at Target. Or you can use basic bar soap if that's your thing. Bar soap with hot water still kills 99% of the bad germs without all the potential side effects.

[donnay]

When I have the money, I always get Bronner's soap.

Bronner's is a great soap, no doubt!

[donnay]

I stopped using triclosan in my hand soaps about 10 year ago. It kills the good bacteria on your hands that is needed. I won't even use the soap at work. Instead I rinse well with water and I'll wash my hands at home. Seventh Generation makes a good citrus hand wash. It's inexpensive and can be found at Target. Or you can use basic bar soap if that's your thing. Bar soap with hot water still kills 99% of the bad germs without all the potential side effects.

You can always hold your hands under the water, rub your hands vigorously for 20 seconds. It is friction not soap that cleans your hands.

[donnay]

Hidden dangers of hand sanitizers

Sunday, October 26, 2014
by: Zach C. Miller

Lately, it seems that every supermarket has a hand-sanitizing station prominently displayed near the doors. In fact, the trend of using hand sanitizers has really ramped up in recent years, with more people carrying around their own personal-size versions of the stuff around with them.

And why not? Hand sanitizers seem like the perfect way to stay clean and disinfect on the go and don't seem to have any downside. Unfortunately, there are some hidden down sides lurking in supposedly "clean" hand sanitizers that could lead to trouble with regular and repeated use. As you'll see below, finding out the real truth about products we use daily is vital, especially when matters of health and well-being are concerned.

Triclosan

Triclosan is antibacterial chemical agent added mainly to soaps and personal care and cleaning products. Strangely, it's also found in clothing, cookware, furniture and toys in an attempt to reduce bacteria levels. Research on triclosan has raised questions about potential hazards to human health. Triclosan has been shown to disrupt hormone regulation, disrupt immune system function and contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (i.e. superbugs). Indeed, the use of triclosan is contributing to an epidemic of antibiotic resistance. This happens when bacteria are regularly exposed to antibacterial agents; the bacteria adapt and grow stronger, more resistant and more immune.

Parabens

Parabens are ubiquitously found in many personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soaps, hand sanitizers and lotions for the purpose of discouraging the growth of microbes. If you look at the label of personal care products, you'll see one or more of these names: ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben. Unfortunately, parabens are linked to endocrine disruption, skin irritation, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity and cancer. Parabens also mimic estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors on cells, and they increase the expression of genes regulated by estradiol, a natural form of estrogen. Because parabens are used to kill microbes in water-based products, they inherently contain toxicity for cells in general.

Continued...

[Acala]

You can always hold your hands under the water, rub your hands vigorously for 20 seconds. It is friction not soap that cleans your hands.

Only partially true. You will be rubbing your hands a LONG time trying to get grease off with just water. Grease, oil, fat and other non-polar compounds do not dissolve well (or at all) in water alone. Polar solvents dissolve polar substances and non-polar solvents (like gasoline) dissolve non-polar substances. "Like dissolves like". This is why you can wash grease off with gasoline but not water and why salt dissolves in water but not gasoline. But soap is special.

Soap is like a bisexual molecule. One end of it is polar and the other end is non-polar. The polar end allows it to dissolve in water while the non-polar end allows it to dissolve non-polar compounds. This is why soap empowers water to wash off non-polar substances like grease.

[amy31416]

Only partially true. You will be rubbing your hands a LONG time trying to get grease off with just water. Grease, oil, fat and other non-polar compounds do not dissolve well (or at all) in water alone. Polar solvents dissolve polar substances and non-polar solvents (like gasoline) dissolve non-polar substances. "Like dissolves like". This is why you can wash grease off with gasoline but not water and why salt dissolves in water but not gasoline. But soap is special.

Soap is like a bisexual molecule. One end of it is polar and the other end is non-polar. The polar end allows it to dissolve in water while the non-polar end allows it to dissolve non-polar compounds. This is why soap empowers water to wash off non-polar substances like grease.

I never thought of it that way, but "bisexual" isn't a bad way to describe how soaps work.

[donnay]

Only partially true. You will be rubbing your hands a LONG time trying to get grease off with just water. Grease, oil, fat and other non-polar compounds do not dissolve well (or at all) in water alone. Polar solvents dissolve polar substances and non-polar solvents (like gasoline) dissolve non-polar substances. "Like dissolves like". This is why you can wash grease off with gasoline but not water and why salt dissolves in water but not gasoline. But soap is special.

Soap is like a bisexual molecule. One end of it is polar and the other end is non-polar. The polar end allows it to dissolve in water while the non-polar end allows it to dissolve non-polar compounds. This is why soap empowers water to wash off non-polar substances like grease.

What does it mean to have "good handwashing technique"? As you might have guessed already, washing your hands means more than slapping on a bit of soap, lathering up and then rinsing off. Anyone can "wash their hands" with soap and water and still come away with even more bacteria than when they started. The real secret to cleanliness, it seems, is not only whether you use soap, but how hard you scrub, and for how long. The way your soap is stored and dispensed also matters, although in public environments, that's much less under your control. While health officials recommend washing for anywhere from 20 to 30 seconds, they should consider themselves lucky if people's entire bathroom trips last that long. Realistically, you might shoot for around 15 seconds of washing -- which, as it happens, isn't much longer than the current average (with soap, it hovers around 13 seconds; without it, it's about 11).

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/ar...ands/258839/2/

[brushfire]

There's really no advantage to the anti-bacterial soap.

The efficacy of good ol fashioned soap, in its ability to reduce the spread of "germs", is no different than the so called "anti-bacterial" stuff when proper technique is used.

Follow these simple steps:

• Wet your hands with running water — either warm or cold.
• Apply liquid, bar or powder soap.
• Lather well.
• Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds.
• Rinse well.
• Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel or air dryer.
• If possible, use a towel or your elbow to turn off the faucet.

[FindLiberty]

Use regular bi-sexual soap and scrub up skin using cold water...
Warm/hot water just makes it more difficult to rinse off all that germ goo "gel".

Antibiotic soaps thin out the weaker germs to make even more habitat
surface space available for the more dangerous, tougher resistant germs.
Horror pictures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ggHBLf-Cv4

Got MRSA? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3-aFo99OdI

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A really bad project idea...
Lotion before sewing skin projects: 'It rubs the lotion on its skin or else
it gets the hose again' - from horror movie, "The Silence Of The Lambs"

[donnay]

Germ-Killer in Soap May Also Be Liver-Killer
Triclosan linked to damage, tumors


By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff
Posted Nov 18, 2014

A chemical found in most antibacterial soaps may be fighting off germs at the cost of causing liver damage. There have been question marks around triclosan for some time—the FDA warned last year that antibacterial soap could be harmful, and Minnesota banned the ingredient this year—but new research finds it could be a lot more dangerous than thought, the Atlantic reports. The study linked the chemical to liver damage and tumors in mice, the Independent reports, and though it wasn't found to actually cause cancer, the changes observed in the mice's bodies "resemble the environment within which human liver cancer forms," the researchers say. Triclosan is found in around 75% of germ-killing soaps, as well as in products like floor waxes, toothpaste, and cosmetics.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, says triclosan—which some manufacturers have already started to phase out—appeared to make the mice more susceptible to liver disease, and promoted the growth of tumors once they appeared. Researchers say the chemical is of concern because it is so prevalent and suggest many of its uses should be eliminated. Exposure could be limited by removing triclosan from uses of "high volume, but of low benefit," like hand soap, a study co-author says, while retaining "uses shown to have health value—as in toothpaste, where the amount used is small." (The FDA took 40 years to consider the use of triclosan, leading to calls to completely change how we regulate chemicals.)

[presence]

[pessimist]

how should one wash their hands?

[Carlybee]

I use Manuka honey soap

[donnay]

how should one wash their hands?

At home use a castile soap. When away from home you can get an organic hand sanitizer spray.


https://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/categ...SANITIZER.html

Or these products:
http://www.eoproducts.com/Products/H...AY-prd-33.aspx
http://motherstherapyorganics.com/or...and-sanitizer/
http://www.vitacost.com/eo-essential...nder-2-fl-oz-1
https://www.honest.com/bath-and-body...-sanitizer-2oz

[Suzanimal]

That's what I like.

[tod evans]

how should one wash their hands?

[pessimist]

thx

[Carlybee]

I used to wash my face with Lava when I was a kid..I never had acne.

[donnay]

Triclosan found to induce liver cancer in scientific study

Thursday, December 11, 2014 by: Julie Wilson

The evidence continues to mount regarding the harmful health effects of triclosan, an antimicrobial agent found in many consumer care products, including toothpaste. Despite industry claims that the chemical is totally safe, the results of a new study performed by UC Davis scientists beg to differ.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed in 2012 revealed that Colgate-Palmolive Co. conspired with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to deliberately withhold research on the safety of triclosan in the 1990s. Some of the information withheld included studies that showed issues in bone formation of fetal rats and mice exposed to the chemical.

Recent study contradicts manufacturer's claims that triclosan doesn't cause cancer

Colgate dismissed the findings and defended use of triclosan, issuing the following statement:

"Recent claims that triclosan in Colgate Total can lead to cancer are absolutely untrue. Global regulators have reviewed the issue of carcinogenicity and have concluded that triclosan in consumer products does not pose a human cancer risk."

However, data obtained from the most recent study suggests that triclosan does in fact cause cancer, specifically liver cancer.

Published in the November 17 journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study's data shows that triclosan causes liver fibrosis and cancer in laboratory mice, findings that could be potentially be relevant to humans.

Continued...

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

Finally. A thread on bisexuality and soap.

[donnay]

Triclosan - Why we need to avoid this antibacterial chemical

Friday, February 27, 2015
by: Kali Sinclair

Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal chemical that first came to market decades ago (some sources say the 1960s, others 1970s) as an ingredient in surgical scrubs and antibacterial soaps used exclusively in hospitals and other health care facilities. In time, triclosan was added to many products for the home including liquid body soaps and bar soaps, toothpaste, mouthwashes, deodorants, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, clothing, toys, yoga mats, kitchen utensils, cutting boards, plastic food packaging, lunch bags, countertops, bedding, trash bags, and more.

While initially considered safe, later animal studies revealed several concerns including endocrine disruption, poor liver function and tumors, and disrupted thyroid function. Possibly the greatest concern is the belief that these products and their use are contributing to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria strains.

Triclosan Is Polluting Our Bodies and Our Environment
UC San Diego Health System reports that 97% of breast milk samples tested contain
triclosan and nearly 75% of urine tests from people tested contained triclosan. As for the environment, it is one of the seven most frequently detected compounds found in streams.

The National Resources Defense Council sued the FDA, forcing them to review triclosan. In December 2013, the FDA removed triclosan's GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status, admitting the need for more studies.

The FDA says they are working in collaboration with the EPA to evaluate triclosan.

Continued...