17 Aug Health + Infertility – Part 2: Triclosan
Based on the title most people are wondering ‘What is Triclosan?’ Good question! Triclosan is an antibacterial agent. If you carry around antibacterial lotion or have antibacterial soap at home, then this ingredient is probably listed on both. Triclosan is also found in toothpaste, toys and clothing.
I had never heard of Triclosan until I saw the Dateline video mentioned in my last environmental post. Triclosan was one of three hormone disruptors the study was based on and one of the chemicals causing the family’s test results to come back with such high toxic levels.
When Triclosan was first registered with the FDA back in 1969, it was registered as a pesticide, and even still the FDA still has not conducted safety reviews on the chemical. Also, in prior studies, it has been found in 75% of Americans urine. If that isn’t enough reason to stop using it, then maybe the following will be:
It has two negative effects on fertility; it blocks metabolism from the thyroid hormone and it interferes with the metabolism of estrogen.
And what does all that mean?
Estrogen of course is a vital hormone for conceiving and pregnancy. Often times when the levels are disrupted a woman has a hard time conceiving. Not only that, but when the levels are abnormal the placenta will not be able to supply estrogen to the fetus. Same goes for the thyroid levels.
I know that I don’t want any part of this chemical on me or in me. And it is not just about fertility. Trisolocan studies prove that it affects muscular and heart function as well. Also, when these products get thrown away or washed down the drain, they enter our waterways and spread throughout the environment. So clearly a simple product such as antibacterial soap can cause a lot of damage, not only to our bodies, but to the environment too!
If you missed my first post in this environment series, you can check out BPA’s negative effects here.
For more information or facts on Triclosan, google Triclosan + infertility.
Megan @ EphesiansWife
Posted at 12:52h, 17 AugustI am so glad you posted on this! I actually saw on Fox News that antibacterial lotions/sanitizers cause infertility and early puberty in children. I have totally gotten rid of them, which seems so foreign to the teachers around me. We live in a world that has anti-bacterial sanitizer stations everywhere we go! It makes me sad that this information not more known!
Caravan Sonnet
Posted at 13:33h, 17 AugustWOW. I agree with Megan- I had seen that antibacterial lotions/sanitizers have affects but I never knew what it really did. Thank you so much for sharing this sweet friend!
Happy Saturday!
🙂 Rebecca
Sara
Posted at 14:34h, 17 AugustThank you so much for sharing this! I am constantly using my anitbacterial soap (after leaving the grocery store, pumping gas, etc , etc) and I had no idea it had harmful effects on the body! I even use it frequently on the kids I nanny for when we are in the car, so I’m very glad to know about this! No more hand sanitizers for us!!
E
Posted at 16:55h, 17 AugustUnfourtanately you can’t always get away from using hand sanitizer. As a healthcare worker you are expected to use it upon entering a patients room and upon leaving a patients room. There is always someone watching you wanting to write you up for not doing it…or they didn’t see you just wash your hands before entering. Most hospitals are going to alcohol based hand sanitizers (like the very first ones that came out). Triclosin is being pulled from a lot of sanitizers at the moment so just check the label.
Soy is another estrogen modifier along with bpa. I switched to glass awhile ago and haven’t looked back 🙂
Gypsy Mama
Posted at 18:56h, 17 AugustGreat post! Thanks for sharing, this is really great information to have
Aubrey
Posted at 02:34h, 18 AugustWow. This is really scary…!
Emily
Posted at 19:20h, 18 AugustYet another completely unnecessary ingredient in the products in our fabulous country. Booooo!
Charity
Posted at 00:40h, 21 AugustWow thanks for sharing this info. Thankfully my hand sanitizer is just organic alcohol its a spray not a gel. But my husband on the other hand uses a gel now I have to check the ingredients on it.
bmeleski2
Posted at 01:53h, 22 AugustCrazy thanks for sharing time to go through all my products and throw those things out.
Wishing on a Snowflake
Posted at 14:09h, 23 AugustWhat’s funny is that I just heard about this myself the other day after I changed handsoaps. I have been looking carefully at the ingredient lists since then. Thank you for posting this!