Most Canadians likely have worrisome levels of the antibacterial chemical triclosan in their bodies, says an environmental group that's calling for a ban on the germ killer from household products.
The activist group Environmental Defence says it has conducted its own testing on triclosan and found the chemical in the urine of seven of the eight volunteers it tested. The average concentration of the chemical was higher than the level that's considered toxic to fish and algae, the results showed.
Even those volunteers who have made conscious efforts to avoid the antibacterial chemical still have significant levels of it in their urine, the study found.
Triclosan has been in use in the medical community since the 1970s. But in recent years, it has found its way into a long list of everyday products including hand sanitizers, antibacterial soap, toothpaste, garbage bags, kitchen sponges and even carpeting.
But its safety in humans has not been clear.
Environmental Defence claims that triclosan is a known endocrine disruptor that can interfere with hormones, such as thyroid hormones. They also say that when the chemical is washed out into waterways, it breaks down in sunlight or reacts with other chemicals to create the human carcinogens chloroform and dioxins.
And, they worry about the relationship between triclosan and antibiotic resistance.
Health Canada is not as convinced of the toxicity of triclosan to humans. The government agency, along with Environment Canada, published a preliminary assessment of triclosan in March which found that while the chemical can cause harm to the environment, there's not enough evidence to say it's hazardous to human health.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a similar take on the chemical, saying it's "not known to be hazardous to humans," but "animal studies have shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation" and that it warrants further review.
The Canadian Medical Association has called for a ban on triclosan in household products, noting that while antimicrobials are effective at preventing hospital-acquired infections, there is no proof that adding the antibacterial to household products has any health benefit. It also says there is nothing to show that antibacterial products are more effective at reducing bacteria levels on hands than plain soap.
Environmental Defence Executive Director Rick Smith says with evidence against triclosan mounting, it's time to ban the chemical from household use.
"Today's data show how widespread the chemical is in our bodies. So consumers should do what they can to avoid products that contain it. Because the danger with triclosan isn't just the level of exposure, it's also the length of time someone is exposed," he said in a statement.
