Minnesota Bans Hormone Disruptor Triclosan
Women's Health News
Obie Editorial Team
On May 16, 2014, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed into law a bill that bans all products containing triclosan, an antibacterial agent found in many household agents and personal-use products. Minnesota is the first state to ban this chemical, known to disrupt hormones in ways that harm humans and the environment.
The Minnesota ban does not take full effect until January 1, 2017. In the meantime, the chemical will be phased out of the state’s consumer market gradually. Minnesota Senator John Marty, one of the sponsors of the ban bill, expects manufacturers to voluntarily remove the chemical from product lines, replacing them with safer formulations. He also expects other states to ban or limit sales of triclosan-containing products in coming years.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates as many as 75% of all antibacterial products sold in the US contain triclosan. Most of them are soaps and body washes but skin care products and cosmetics contain the ingredient as well. The Hello Kitty product line, marketed to children, consists of several products that contain triclosan. So do some dog shampoos.
The triclosan ban is based on scientific findings that include:
In addition to the Hello Kitty product line, triclosan is found in products from Avon, Revlon, Old Spice, Clearasil, Gillette, Right Guard, Edge, Vaseline, Noxzema, Suave, Lever, Softsoap, Colgate, pHisoderm, Dial, Dawn, and Lysol. Pet Gold and 8-in-1 dog shampoos contain triclosan, too.
The US Department of Health & Human Services maintains a “Household Products Database” that lists products that contain triclosan. The database includes a searchable A-to-Z list of all products approved for sale in the US, their manufacturers, ingredients, and their health effects. Some labels list triclosan by its chemical name rather than simply as triclosan; the database includes a full list of these chemical names.
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