Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in personal hygiene products, causes liver fibrosis and cancer…

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2014-11-17-dirty-side-of-soap.aspx

[font face=Serif]November 17, 2014
[font size=5]The Dirty Side of Soap[/font]

[font size=4]Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in personal hygiene products, causes liver fibrosis and cancer in mice[/font]

[font size=3]Triclosan is an antimicrobial commonly found in soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and many other household items. Despite its widespread use, researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report potentially serious consequences of long-term exposure to the chemical. The study, published Nov. 17 by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that triclosan causes liver fibrosis and cancer in laboratory mice through molecular mechanisms that are also relevant in humans.

“Triclosan’s increasing detection in environmental samples and its increasingly broad use in consumer products may overcome its moderate benefit and present a very real risk of liver toxicity for people, as it does in mice, particularly when combined with other compounds with similar action,” said Robert H. Tukey, PhD, professor in the departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Pharmacology. Tukey led the study, together with Bruce D. Hammock, PhD, professor at University of California, Davis. Both Tukey and Hammock are directors of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Programs at their respective campuses.

Tukey, Hammock and their teams, including Mei-Fei Yueh, PhD, found that triclosan disrupted liver integrity and compromised liver function in mouse models. Mice exposed to triclosan for six months (roughly equivalent to 18 human years) were more susceptible to chemical-induced liver tumors. Their tumors were also larger and more frequent than in mice not exposed to triclosan.

The study suggests triclosan may do its damage by interfering with the constitutive androstane receptor, a protein responsible for detoxifying (clearing away) foreign chemicals in the body. To compensate for this stress, liver cells proliferate and turn fibrotic over time. Repeated triclosan exposure and continued liver fibrosis eventually promote tumor formation.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1419119111 (currently not working…)
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/11/12/1419119111.abstract

[hedda_foil]

1. I always read ingredient lists because of food allergies.

The manufacturers have stopped using triclosan for the most part. It was used in most hand sanitizer and even in toothpaste until last year, I believe.

[peacebird]

2. This group has been tracking the secret ingredients of common personal hygiene products for years

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

Even reading the label doesn't neccessarily protect you because they are not required to list all ingredients..

[Warpy]

3. I use Dr. Bronner's for nearly everything

It's the only thing that has never broken me out in itchy rashes.

The tingle from the peppermint variety is nice, too.